Standard Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic Abundances by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Uranium and plutonium oxides can be used as a nuclear-reactor fuel in the form of pellets. In order to be suitable for use as a nuclear fuel the starting material must meet certain specifications, such as found in Specifications C757, C833, C753, C776, C1008, or as specified by the purchaser. The uranium and/or plutonium concentration and isotopic abundances are measured by mass spectrometry following this test method.
The separated heavy element fractions placed on mass spectrometric filaments must be very pure. The quantity required depends upon the sensitivity of the instrument detection system. If an electron multiplier detector is to be used, only a few nanograms are required. If a Faraday cup is used, a few micrograms are needed. Chemical purity of the sample becomes more important as the sample size decreases, because ion emission of the sample is suppressed by impurities.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the concentration and isotopic composition of uranium and plutonium in solutions. The purified uranium or plutonium from samples ranging from nuclear materials to environmental or bioassay matrices is loaded onto a mass spectrometric filament. The isotopic ratio is determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry, the concentration is determined by isotope dilution.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Values in parentheses are for information only.
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 safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
31-May-2012
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ASTM C1625-12 - Standard Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic Abundances by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: C1625 − 12
Standard Test Method for
Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic
1
Abundances by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1625; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ment Method Used toAnalyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Mate-
rials
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the con-
C1168PracticeforPreparationandDissolutionofPlutonium
centration and isotopic composition of uranium and plutonium
Materials for Analysis
in solutions. The purified uranium or plutonium from samples
C1347Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium
ranging from nuclear materials to environmental or bioassay
Materials for Analysis
matrices is loaded onto a mass spectrometric filament. The
C1411Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Ura-
isotopic ratio is determined by thermal ionization mass
nium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
spectrometry, the concentration is determined by isotope dilu-
238
C1415Test Method for Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha
tion.
Spectrometry
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 237 232 235
C1614Practice for the Determination of Np, Th, U
238
standard. Values in parentheses are for information only.
and U in Urine by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Gamma Ray Spectrometry
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D3084Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish safety
2.2 Other Documents
and health practices and determine the applicability of regu-
International Target Values 2010for Measurement Uncer-
3
latory limitations prior to use.
tainties in Safeguarding Nuclear Materials
2. Referenced Documents
3. Terminology
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1 For definitions of pertinent terms not listed here, see
C753Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium
Terminology C859.
Dioxide Powder
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
C757Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide
3.2.1 isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS)—isotope
Powder, Sinterable
ratio measurements, using mass spectrometry, of samples
C776Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets
spiked with accurately known weights of individual low
C833Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Diox-
abundance isotopes (adapted from Practice C1614).
ide Pellets
C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
4. Summary of Test Method
C1008Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Di-
4.1 The uranium and plutonium are separated from each
oxide Pellets—Fast Reactor Fuel
other and purified from other elements by selective extraction,
C1068Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by
anion exchange (such as in C1411) or extraction chromatog-
a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
raphy. The uranium and plutonium fractions are individually
C1156Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measure-
mounted on filaments of rhenium, tungsten, or tantalum, and
are analyzed by thermal ionization mass spectrometry to
1 determine the relative abundance of the isotopes. If a known
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC26onNuclear
233 242 244
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
Uor Pu (or Pu) spike is added prior to chemical
Test.
separationthecorrespondingelementalconcentrationmayalso
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2012.PublishedJuly2012.Originallyapproved
be determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).
in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C1625–05. DOI: 10.1520/
C1625-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM K. Zhao et. al., “International Target Values 2010 for Measurement Uncertain-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ties in Safeguarding Nuclear Materials,” International Atomic Energy Agency
the ASTM website. STR-368, 2010.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1625 − 12
5. Significance and Use 7.1.5 A direct-current (Faraday cup) or electron multiplier
detector, as a single detector system or, several detectors in a
5.1 Uraniumandplutoniumoxidescanbeusedasanuclear-
multicollectordesign,followedbyacurrentmeasuringdevice.
reactorfuelintheformofpellets.Inordertobesuitabl
...

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:C1625–05 Designation:C1625–12
Standard Test Method for
Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic
1
Abundances by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1625; 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 test method covers the determination of the concentration and isotopic composition of uranium and plutonium in
solutions. The purified uranium or plutonium from samples ranging from nuclear materials to environmental or bioassay matrices
is loaded onto a mass spectrometric filament. The isotopic ratio is determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry, the
concentration is determined by isotope dilution.
1.2
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Values in parentheses are for information only.
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 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
C833 Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Dioxide Pellets
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C1008 Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Dioxide PelletsFast Reactor Fuel
C1068 Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
C1156 Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis
C1411 Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Uranium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
238
C1415 Test Method for Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
237 232 235 238
C1614 Practice for the Determination of Np, Th, U and U in Urine by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Gamma Ray Spectrometry
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
2.2 Other Documents
3
International Target Values 2000for2010 for Measurement Uncertainties in Safeguarding Nuclear Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of pertinent terms not listed here, see Terminology C859.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS)—isotope ratio measurements, using mass spectrometry, of samples spiked
with accurately known weights of individual low abundance isotopes (adapted from Practice C1614).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published October 2005. DOI: 10.1520/C1625-05.
Current edition approved June 1, 2012. Published July 2012. Originally approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C1625–05. DOI: 10.1520/C1625-12.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
H.AignerK.Zhaoet.al.,“InternationalTargetValues20002010forMeasurementUncertaintiesinSafeguardingNuclearMaterials,”InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency
STR-327, 2001. STR-368, 2010.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1625–12
4. Summary of Test Method
3.1The4.1 The uranium and plutonium are separated from each other and purified from other elements by selective extraction,
anion exchange (such as in C1411) or extraction chromatography. The uranium and plutonium fractions are individually mounted
on rhenium filaments of rhenium, tungsten, or tantalum, and are analyzed by thermal ionization mass spectrometry to determine
233 242 244
the relative abundance of the isotopes. If a known Uor Pu (or Pu) spike is added pri
...

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