ASTM C1414-01(2014)

Standard Practice for The Separation of Americium from Plutonium by Ion Exchange (Withdrawn 2020)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is applicable when small amounts of  241Am are present in plutonium samples (see Test Methods C758 and C759). An example is the determination of  241Am in a  238Pu sample. The high specific activity of  238Pu presents a safety hazard that precludes its presence in a counting facility. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the  238Pu prior to the determination of  241Am.  
4.2 When a plutonium solution contains fission or activation products, this practice does not separate all radionuclides that interfere in the determination of  241Am, such as the rare earths.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the use of an ion exchange technique to separate plutonium from solutions containing low concentrations of americium prior to measurement of the  241Am by gamma counting.  
1.2 This practice covers the removal of plutonium, but not all the other radioactive isotopes that may interfere in the determination of  241Am.  
1.3 This practice can be used when  241Am is to be determined in samples in which the plutonium is in the form of metal, oxide, or other solid provided that the solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved (See Test Methods C758, C759, and C1168).  
1.4 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.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This practice describes the use of an ion exchange technique to separate plutonium from solutions containing low concentrations of americium prior to measurement of the 241Am by gamma counting.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle, this practice was withdrawn in July 2020. This standard is being withdrawn without replacement due to its limited use by industry.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2013
• Withdrawal Date: 28-Jul-2020
• ICS: 71.060.10 - Chemical elements
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: C1414 − 01 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Practice for
The Separation of Americium from Plutonium by Ion
1
Exchange
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1414; 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. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice describes the use of an ion exchange 3.1 Plutonium is adsorbed from a nitric acid (HNO ) solu-
3
technique to separate plutonium from solutions containing low tion (8 M) onto an anion exchange resin. Under these
concentrations of americium prior to measurement of conditions, a negligible amount of americium is adsorbed onto
241
the Am by gamma counting. the resin and may be determined by gamma counting of the
eluate using Test Method C1268.
1.2 This practice covers the removal of plutonium, but not
all the other radioactive isotopes that may interfere in the
4. Significance and Use
241
determination of Am.
4.1 This practice is applicable when small amounts
241
1.3 This practice can be used when Am is to be deter- 241
of Am are present in plutonium samples (see Test Methods
mined in samples in which the plutonium is in the form of
241
C758 and C759).An example is the determination of Am in
metal, oxide, or other solid provided that the solid is appropri- 238 238
a Pu sample. The high specific activity of Pu presents a
ately sampled and dissolved (See Test Methods C758, C759,
safety hazard that precludes its presence in a counting facility.
and C1168). 238
Therefore, it is necessary to remove the Pu prior to the
241
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
determination of Am.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 Whenaplutoniumsolutioncontainsfissionoractivation
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
products, this practice does not separate all radionuclides that
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
241
interfere in the determination of Am, such as the rare earths.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Interferences
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The presence of other gamma-ray emitting radionu-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
241
clides similar in energy to Am or that interfere with gamma
C758 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
241
counting make the determination of Am less accurate. Most
Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and RadiochemicalAnalysis of
+4 valence actinides are adsorbed on the resin.The distribution
Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Metal
coefficient for Am on this resin in nitric acid is less than 1,
C759 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
indicating insignificant adsorption.Therefore, this practice will
Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and RadiochemicalAnalysis of
separate many elements that might interfere with gamma
Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Nitrate Solutions
241
counting of Am.
C1168 PracticeforPreparationandDissolutionofPlutonium
5.1.1 The elements thorium, neptunium (IV), gold,
Materials for Analysis
platinum, iridium, and palladium are not quantitatively sepa-
C1268 Test Method for Quantitative Determination of Am-
rated from plutonium by this procedure.
ericium 241 in Plutonium by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
6. Apparatus
6.1 Anion exchange resin column (100-200 mesh), contain-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
ing quaternary ammonium functional groups (basic resin-
3
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
chloride ionic form).
Test.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally
6.2 Bottles, polyethylene, 30 mL.
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as C1414 – 01 (2007).
6.3 Sample beaker, 30 mL, borosilicate glass.
DOI: 10.1520/C1414-01R14.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Prefilled columns packed with AG 1-X8, available from Bio-Rad, Richmond,
the ASTM website. CA, have been found to be acceptable.
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C1414 − 01 (2014)
6.4 Hot plate. adsorption capacity of the ion exchange resin. A maximum of
50 mg of plutonium is suggested for the prefilled columns.
7. Reagents
8.2 Evaporate the sample to dryness on a hot plate.Add 3-4
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals should be
mL of 8 M HNO and
...