ASTM C1636-06a
(Guide)Standard Guide for the Determination of Uranium-232 in Uranium Hexafluoride
Standard Guide for the Determination of Uranium-232 in Uranium Hexafluoride
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The method is applicable to the analysis of materials to demonstrate compliance with the specifications set forth in Specifications C 787 and C 996.
SCOPE
1.1 This method covers the determination of 232U in uranium hexafluoride by alpha spectrometry.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:C1636 −06a
StandardGuide for the
1
Determination of Uranium-232 in Uranium Hexafluoride
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1636; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 Reagent blank—DI water processed the same as the
232
samples; used in the determination of the minimum detectable
1.1 This method covers the determination of Uin
activity.
uranium hexafluoride by alpha spectrometry.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Guide
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 An aliquot of hydrolyzed uranium hexafluoride equiva-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
lent to 60 micrograms of uranium is converted to a nitric acid
priate safety and health practices and to determine the
system and the uranium is extracted onto a solid phase
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
extraction column. The daughters of uranium decay products
are rinsed from the column and the uranium is then selectively
2. Referenced Documents
eluted. The uranium is reduced and then coprecipitated with
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
neodymium fluoride. Test Method C1163 provides further
C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
information on the use of neodymium fluoride to prepare
ment
actinide mounts for alpha spectrometry. The sample is then
C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
232
counted by alpha spectrometry, and the U is calculated
235
Less Than 5 % U
based on the observed activities of the uranium isotopes in the
C1163 Practice for MountingActinides forAlpha Spectrom-
alpha spectra.
etry Using Neodymium Fluoride
4.2 While this guide does not present details on electrode-
C1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for
position as an alternative to neodymium fluoride precipitation
Alpha Spectrometry
for the preparation of a mount for alpha spectrometry Practice
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
C1284 does present details on that option.
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
4.3 Alternate separation chemistry approaches may be
2.2 Other Standards
foundintheliterature.Itistheresponsibilityoftheuserofsuch
232
DIN 25711 Determination of the U isotopic content in
alternative separation approaches to validate there
uranium containing nuclear fuel solutions by α spectrom- effectiveness, especially the removal of potentially interfering
3
etry.
thorium isotopes (section 6.1).
3. Terminology
5. Significance and Use
3.1 Definitions:
5.1 The method is applicable to the analysis of materials to
3.1.1 region-of-interest (ROI)—the channels, or region, in
demonstrate compliance with the specifications set forth in
the alpha spectra in which the counts due to a specific
Specifications C787 and C996.
radioisotope appear on a functioning calibrated alpha spec-
trometry system.
6. Interferences
228
6.1 Incomplete removal of Th could possibly interfere
232
withthe Udetermination.MethodDIN 25711addressesthe
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel
potential capability for this method to eliminate this potential
Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved July 1, 2006. Published July 2006. Originally approved
interference.
in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C1636 – 06. DOI: 10.1520/
232
6.2 Since only the relative amount of U, relative to total
C1636-06A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
uranium, is being determined in this method there is no impact
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
to chemical loss in the separation or sample mounting chem-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
istry. Therefore, unlike most alpha spectrometry methods, no
the ASTM website.
3
Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V., Berlin, Germany (www.din.de). yield tracer is necessary or useful.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1636−06a
235 236
6.3 The alpha emission energies of U and U are 8.6 Hydrochloric acid (9M)—Add 750 mL concentrated
relatively close. Thus there is the potential for overlap of HCl to 100 mL water and dilute to 1 litre.
counts from one isotope into the ROI of the other. Where the
8.7 Hydrochloric acid (1.5M)—Add 125 mL concentrated
alpha spectrometr
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.