ASTM C1647-13

Standard Practice for Removal of Uranium or Plutonium, or both, for Impurity Assay in Uranium or Plutonium Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice can be used to separate uranium or plutonium, or both, prior to the impurity analysis by various techniques. The removal of uranium and plutonium prior to quantification can improve the detection limits by minimizing the signal suppression caused by uranium or plutonium when using ICP techniques. Detection limits of ~1–10 part-per-billion (PPB) may be obtainable by matrix removal. Also, removal of the uranium and plutonium may allow the impurities analysis to be performed on a non-glove box enclosed instrument.  
5.2 Other test methods exist to determine impurities in uranium or plutonium. Test Method C1517 is able to determine many impurities in uranium at detection levels of ~1–10 part-per-million (ppm) by DC-Arc Spectrometry. Test Method C1287 is able to determine impurities in uranium at detection levels of ~100 ppb by ICP-MS. Test Method C1432 provides an alternative technique to remove plutonium by ion exchange prior to analysis of the impurities by ICP-AES.  
5.3 This practice can be used to demonstrate compliance with nuclear fuel specifications, for example, Specifications C753, C757, C776, C787, C788, and C996.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers instructions for using an extraction chromatography column method for the removal of plutonium or uranium, or both, from liquid or digested oxides or metals prior to impurity measurements. Quantification of impurities can be made by techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS.)  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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-Dec-2012
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: C1647 − 13
Standard Practice for
Removal of Uranium or Plutonium, or both, for Impurity
1
Assay in Uranium or Plutonium Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1647; 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 C1168 PracticeforPreparationandDissolutionofPlutonium
Materials for Analysis
1.1 This practice covers instructions for using an extraction
C1287 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in
chromatography column method for the removal of plutonium
Nuclear Grade Uranium Compounds by Inductively
or uranium, or both, from liquid or digested oxides or metals
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
prior to impurity measurements. Quantification of impurities
C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium
can be made by techniques such as inductively coupled plasma
Materials for Analysis
mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma
C1432 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in
atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or atomic absorption
Plutonium: Acid Dissolution, Ion Exchange Matrix
spectrometry (AAS.)
Separation, and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Emission Spectroscopic (ICP/AES) Analysis
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
C1517 TestMethodforDeterminationofMetallicImpurities
standard.
in Uranium Metal or Compounds by DC-Arc Emission
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the Spectroscopy
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method but not
defined herein, refer to Terminology C859.
2. Referenced Documents
2
4. Summary of Practice
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium
4.1 An aliquot of liquid sample or dissolved solid sample is
Dioxide Powder
adjusted as needed to 8M nitric acid for plutonium/uranium
C757 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide
removal using extraction chromatography. Uranium and pluto-
Powder, Sinterable
niumareretainedontheresinandtraceimpuritiesarecollected
C776 Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets
in the column effluent. The impurities can be measured by a
C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
variety of techniques.
ment
C788 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solu-
5. Significance and Use
tion or Crystals
5.1 This practice can be used to separate uranium or
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
plutonium, or both, prior to the impurity analysis by various
C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
techniques. The removal of uranium and plutonium prior to
235
Less Than 5 % U
quantification can improve the detection limits by minimizing
the signal suppression caused by uranium or plutonium when
using ICP techniques. Detection limits of ~1–10 part-per-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
billion (PPB) may be obtainable by matrix removal. Also,
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
Test.
removal of the uranium and plutonium may allow the impuri-
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013. Published January 2013. Originally
ties analysis to be performed on a non-glove box enclosed
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C1647 – 06. DOI:
instrument.
10.1520/C1647-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 Other test methods exist to determine impurities in
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
uraniumorplutonium.TestMethodC1517isabletodetermine
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. many impurities in uranium at detection levels of ~1–10
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1647 − 13
part-per-million (ppm) by DC-Arc Spectrometry. Test Method 8.6 Nitric Acid (8M)—Hydrofluoric Acid (0.05M)—Add
C1287 is able to determine impurities in uranium at detection 500 mL concentrated nitric acid and 1.8 mL concentrated
levels of ~100 ppb by ICP-MS. Test Method C1432 provides hydrofluoric acid to 250 mL water and dilute to 1 liter with
an alternative technique to remove pluton
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: C1647 − 06 C1647 − 13
Standard Practice for
Removal of Uranium or Plutonium, or both, for Impurity
1
Assay in Uranium or Plutonium Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1647; 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 covers instructions for using an extraction chromatography column method for the removal of plutonium or
uranium, or both, from liquid or digested oxides or metals prior to impurity measurements. Quantification of impurities can be
made by techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission
spectrometry (ICP-AES) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS.)
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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:
C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium Dioxide Powder
C757 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powder, Sinterable
C776 Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets
C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment
C788 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
235
C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to Less Than 5 % U
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1287 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Nuclear Grade Uranium Compounds by Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry
C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis
C1432 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Plutonium: Acid Dissolution, Ion Exchange Matrix Separation, and
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopic (ICP/AES) Analysis
C1517 Test Method for Determination of Metallic Impurities in Uranium Metal or Compounds by DC-Arc Emission
Spectroscopy
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method but not defined herein, refer to Terminology C859.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 An aliquot of liquid sample or dissolved solid sample is adjusted as needed to 8M nitric acid for plutonium/uranium removal
using extraction chromatography. Uranium and plutonium are retained on the resin and trace impurities are collected in the column
effluent. The impurities can be measured by a variety of techniques.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved July 1, 2006Jan. 1, 2013. Published August 2006January 2013. Originally approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C1647
– 06. DOI: 10.1520/C1647-06.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1647 − 13
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice can be used to separate uranium or plutonium, or both, prior to the impurity analysis by various techniques.
The removal of uranium and plutonium prior to quantification can improve the detection limits by minimizing the signal
suppression caused by uranium or plutonium when using ICP techniques. Detection limits of ~1–10 part-per-billion (PPB) may
be obtainable by matrix removal. Also, removal of the uranium and plutonium may allow the impurities analysis to be performed
on a non-glove box enclosed instrument.
5.2 Other test methods exist to determine impurities in uranium or plutonium. Test Method C1517 is able to determine many
impurities in uranium at detection levels of ~1–10 part-per-million (ppm) by DC-Arc Spectrometry. Test Me
...