ASTM D5411-10

Standard Practice for Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (E) for a Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice is useful for the determination of the average energy per disintegration of the isotopic mixture found in the reactor-coolant system of a nuclear reactor (1).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice applies to the calculation of the average energy per disintegration (E–) for a mixture of radionuclides in reactor coolant water.
1.2 The microcurie (µCi) is the standard unit of measurement for this standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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 determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2010
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.04 - Methods of Radiochemical Analysis

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5411-05 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (E) for a Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D5411 − 10
StandardPractice for
¯
Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (E) for a
1
Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5411; 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 4. Summary of Practice
¯
4.1 The average energy per disintegration, E (pronounced E
1.1 This practice applies to the calculation of the average
¯
bar), for a mixture of radionuclides is calculated from the
energy per disintegration (E) for a mixture of radionuclides in
¯
known composition of the mixture. E is computed by calcu-
reactor coolant water.
lating the total beta/gamma energy release rate, in MeV, and
1.2 The microcurie (µCi) is the standard unit of measure-
¯
dividing it by the total disintegration rate. The resultant E has
ment for this standard. The values given in parentheses are
units of MeV per disintegration.
mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 This practice is useful for the determination of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
average energy per disintegration of the isotopic mixture found
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4
¯
in the reactor-coolant system of a nuclear reactor (1). The E
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
value is used to calculate a site-specific activity limit for the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
reactor coolant system, generally identified as
¯
A 5 K/E
2. Referenced Documents
limiting
where
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
K = a power reactor site specific constant (usually in the
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water range of 50 to 200).
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
The activity of the reactor coolant system is routinely
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
measured, then compared to the value ofA . If the reactor
limiting
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control
coolantactivityvalueislessthanA thenthe2-hradiation
limiting
of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
dose, measured at the plant boundary, will not exceed an
appropriately small fraction of the Code of Federal
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
3
10 CFR 100 Reactor Site Criteria Regulations, Title 10, part 100 dose guidelines. It is important
to note that the measurement of the reactor coolant system
radioactivity is determined at a set frequency by use of gamma
3. Terminology
spectrometry only. Thus the radionuclides that go into the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
¯
calculation of E and subsequently A are only those that
limiting
practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
are calculated using gamma spectrometry.
¯
5.2 In calculating E, the energy dissipated by beta particles
(negatrons and positrons) and photons from nuclear decay of
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
beta-gamma emitters. This accounting includes the energy
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical
released in the form of energy released from extra-nuclear
Analysis.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published December 2010. Originally
transitions in the form of X-rays,Auger electrons, and conver-
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D5411 – 05. DOI:
sion electrons. However, not all radionuclides present in a
10.1520/D5411-10.
¯
sample are included in the calculation of E.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700 The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. this practice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5411 − 10
5.3 Individual, nuclear reactor, technical specifications vary (2)Asignificant corrosion product increase has occurred.
and each nuclear operator must be aware of limitations Forthecaseofafueldefect,theplantstaffmayneedtoinclude
¯
affecting their plant operation. Typically, radioiodines, radio- new
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D5411–05 Designation: D5411 – 10
Standard Practice for
–
¯
Calculation of Average Energy Per Disintegration (E)( E ) for
1
a Mixture of Radionuclides in Reactor Coolant
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5411; 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
–
¯
1.1 This practice applies to the calculation of the average energy per disintegration (E)(E) for a mixture of radionuclides in
reactor coolant water.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded asmicrocurie (µCi) is the standard unit of measurement for this
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units, which are provided for information only and
are not considered standard.
1.3 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 determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
10CFR100 Reactor Cite Criteria
3
10 CFR 100 Reactor Site Criteria
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
4. Summary of Practice
–
¯
4.1 The average energy per disintegration, EE (pronounced E bar), for a mixture of radionuclides is calculated from the known
–
¯
composition of the mixture. EE is computed by calculating the total beta/gamma energy release rate, in MeV, and dividing it by
–
¯
the total disintegration rate. The resultant EE has units of MeV per disintegration.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is useful for the determination of the average energy per disintegration of the isotopic mixture found in the
4
reactor-coolantsystemofanuclearreactor(1). Theresultantvalueisperiodicallyreportedupon,bytheoperatorsofnuclearpower
plants,inordertoensurethatthe2-hradiationdose,measuredattheplantboundary,willnotexceedanappropriatelysmallfraction
of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, part 100 dose guidelines.
¯
5.2In calculating E, all the energy dissipated by charged particles and photons in each nuclear radioactive transformation is
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD19onWaterandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemicalAnalysis.
Current edition approved Dec.June 1, 2005.2010. Published December 2005.2010. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D5411–93
´1
(2005) . D5411 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/D5411-105.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this practice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5411 – 10
included. This accounting includes the energy released in the form of beta particles and gamma rays as well as energy released
from extra-nuclear transitions in the form of X-rays, Auger electrons, and conversion electrons. However, not all radionuclides
¯
present in a sample are included in the calculation of E.
5.3Individual,nuclearreactor,technicalspecificationsvaryandeachnuclearoperatormustbeawareoflimitationsaffectingtheir
operation. Typically, radio-iodines, radionuclides with half lives of less than 10 min (except those in equilibrium with the parent),
and those radionuclides, identified using gamma spectrometry, with less than a 95% confidence level, are not typically included
in the calculation. However, the operator
...