ASTM C1344-97(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Isotopic Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride by Single-Standard Gas Source Mass Spectrometer Method
Standard Test Method for Isotopic Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride by Single-Standard Gas Source Mass Spectrometer Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Uranium hexafluoride is a basic material used to prepare nuclear reactor fuel. To be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet the criteria for isotopic composition. This test method is designed to determine whether the material meets the requirements described in Specifications C 787 and C 996.
ASTM Committee C-26 Safeguards Statement:
5.2.1 The material (uranium hexafluoride) to which this test method applies is subject to the nuclear safeguards regulations governing its possession and use. The analytical procedure in this test method has been designated as technically acceptable for generating safeguards accountability data.
5.2.2 When used in conjunction with appropriate certified reference materials (CRMs), this procedure can demonstrate traceability to the national measurement base. However, adherence to this procedure does not automatically guarantee regulatory acceptance of the regulatory safeguards measurements. It remains the sole responsibility of the user of this test method to ensure that its application to safeguards has the approval of the proper regulatory authorities.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the isotopic analysis of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) and may be used for the entire range of 235U isotopic compositions for which standards are available.
1.2 This test method is applicable to the determination of the isotopic relationship between two UF6 samples. If the abundance of a specific isotope of one sample (the standard) is known, its abundance in the other can be determined. This test method is flexible in that the number of times a given material is admitted to the ion source may be adjusted to the minimum required for a specified precision level.
1.3 The sensitivity with which differences between two materials can be detected depends on the measuring system used, but ratio-measuring devices can generally read ratio-of-mol ratio differences as small as 0.0001.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.
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: C 1344 – 97 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Isotopic Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride by Single-
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Standard Gas Source Mass Spectrometer Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1344; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 Thistestmethodcoverstheisotopicanalysisofuranium 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
hexafluoride (UF ) and may be used for the entire range of 3.1.1 drop through, n—a measurement of the amount of the
6
235 238 + 235 +
U isotopic compositions for which standards are available. UF ion beam that can be passed through the UF
5 5
235 +
1.2 This test method is applicable to the determination of collector slit and measured on the UF collector, stated as
5
238 +
the isotopic relationship between two UF samples. If the a percentage of the total UF signal.
6 5
abundance of a specific isotope of one sample (the standard) is 3.1.2 memory corrections, n—corrections applied to the
known, its abundance in the other can be determined.This test sample analysis results for memory effects.
method is flexible in that the number of times a given material 3.1.3 memory effect, n—the inability of the mass spectrom-
is admitted to the ion source may be adjusted to the minimum eter to omit completely the isotopic composition of the sample
required for a specified precision level. analyzed previously from attributing to the results of further
1.3 The sensitivity with which differences between two samples analyzed.
materials can be detected depends on the measuring system 3.1.4 normal isotopic abundance material, n—UF havinga
6
235
used, but ratio-measuring devices can generally read ratio-of- value of 0.711 weight percent (wt%) U.
235 238
mol ratio differences as small as 0.0001. 3.1.5 ratio-of-mol-ratios, n—the mol ratio ( U/ U) of
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the the sample divided by the mol ratio of the standard, or the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information inverseconditionofthemolratioofthestandarddividedbythe
only. mol ratio of the sample.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 Test Method—Theunknownsampleandastandardwith
an isotopic composition close to that of the sample are
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
+
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards introduced in sequence into the Neir mass spectrometer. UF
5
ions of the isotopes are focused through a mass-resolving
statements are given in Section 7.
collector slit and onto a faraday cup collector. Measurements
235 + +
2. Referenced Documents
are made of UF to the total of the other UF isotopes.
5 5
2.1 ASTM Standards: Withtheknowncompositionofthestandard,calculationofthe
235
C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich- U composition of the sample can be determined.
2
ment
5. Significance and Use
C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
235
2
5.1 Uraniumhexafluorideisabasicmaterialusedtoprepare
Less Than 5% U
2.2 Other Document: nuclear reactor fuel. To be suitable for this purpose, the
material must meet the criteria for isotopic composition. This
USEC-651, Uranium Hexafluoride: A Manual of Good
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Handling Practices test method is designed to determine whether the material
meets the requirements described in Specifications C787 and
C996.
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC26onNuclear
5.2 ASTM Committee C-26 Safeguards Statement:
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
5.2.1 The material (uranium hexafluoride) to which this test
Test.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 1997. Published May 1997.
method applies is subject to the nuclear safeguards regulations
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01.
governing its possession and use. The analytical procedure in
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Available from U.S. Enrichment Corporation, 6903 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda,
MD 20817.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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C 1344 – 97 (2003)
this test method has been designated as technically acceptable and check other operating conditions. The development of an
for generating safeguards accountability data. interactive program allows input of sample information, per-
5.2.2 When used in conjunction with appropriate certified
...
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