ASTM C1913-21

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:C1913 −21
Standard Practice for
Sampling Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride Using Zeolite in
Single-Use Destructive Assay Sampler
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1913; 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 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This practice is applicable to sampling gaseous uranium
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
hexafluoride (UF ) from processing facilities, isotope enrich-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ment cascades or storage cylinders, using the sorbent proper-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ties of zeolite in a single-use destructive assay (SUDA)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sampler.
1.2 This practice is based on the SUDA method developed 2. Referenced Documents
at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (1) for collection of 3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
samples of UF for determination of uranium isotopic content
C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
for nuclear material safeguards and other applications.
ment
1.3 The UF collected is converted to uranyl fluoride C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
(UO F ), allowing samples to be handled and categorized for C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
2 2
transport under less stringent conditions than are required for Less Than 5 % U
UF . C1052 Practice for Bulk Sampling of Liquid Uranium
Hexafluoride
1.4 This practice can be used to collect samples for safe-
C1474 Test Method forAnalysis of Isotopic Composition of
guards measurements. Safeguards samples collected with this
Uranium in Nuclear-Grade Fuel Material by Quadrupole
practicehavebeenshowntoprovidesuitableisotopicmeasure-
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
ments (1).
C1477 Test Method for Isotopic Abundance Analysis of
1.5 This practice has not been demonstrated for suitability
Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranyl Nitrate Solutions by
for compliance with Specifications C787 and C996. Practices
Multi-Collector, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spec-
C1052 or C1703 can be used to collect samples for compliance
trometry
with these specifications.
C1672 Test Method for Determination of Uranium or Pluto-
nium Isotopic Composition or Concentration by the Total
1.6 The scope of this practice does not include provisions
Evaporation Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass
for preventing criticality.
Spectrometer
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
C1703 Practice for Sampling of Gaseous Uranium
as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
Hexafluoride for Enrichment
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
C1832 Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Composition by Modified Total Evaporation (MTE)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Method Using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C1871 Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Composition by the Double Spike Method Using a Ther-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mal Ionization Mass Spectrometer
C1880 Practice for Sampling Gaseous Uranium Hexafluo-
ride using Alumina Pellets
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.02 on Fuel and
Fertile Material Specifications.
Current edition approved June 1, 2021. Published July 2021. DOI: 10.1520/ For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
C1913-21. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1913−21
FIG. 1Exploded View of SUDA Sampler
D1418 Practice for Rubber and Rubber Latices— 4.2 At the end of the sampling period, the tap valve is
Nomenclature closed.Atotal uranium mass of 0.1 mg to 3 mg is collected per
SUDAsampler using the sampler described in this practice (3).
2.2 ISO Standards:
A larger SUDA sampler is available that can collect up to
ISO 2861:2020 Vacuum technology — Dimensions of
100 mg of total uranium mass; this sampler is not described in
clamped-type quick-release couplings
this practice.
3. Terminology
4.3 The SUDA sampler is removed from the sampling
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice but not
manifold, reassembled, and may be stored indefinitely until it
defined herein, refer to Terminology C859.
can be transported for laboratory analysis.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.4 Samples of depleted uranium or natural uranium may be
3.2.1 sampling coupon, n—silicon wafer coated with an
transported as unregulated radioactive materials. Samples of
engineered zeolite sorbent thin film (see 7.5).
low enriched uranium (LEU) may be packaged and transported
in excepted quantities (for example, as UN 2910 excepted
3.2.2 sampling manifold, n—piping with apertures used to
packages (4)), which are significantly less burdensome to
connecttheSUDAsamplertotheUF processinglines,isotope
transport than gaseous UF samples (UN 3507).
enrichment cascades or storage cylinders, and tap valves to
allow introduction of UF to the sampling coupon.
4.5 Attheanalyticallaboratory,theUO F isextractedfrom
2 2
the sampling coupon with 2 % nitric acid or water. The
3.2.3 SUDA sampler, n—apparatus that is connected to the
sampling manifold for sample collection (see Fig. 1 and uranium isotopic composition is then determined by mass
spectrometric techniques such as thermal ionization mass
Section 6).
spectrometry (TIMS) using Test Methods C1672, C1832,or
4. Summary of Practice
C1871, multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spec-
trometry (MC-ICP-MS) using Test Method C1477, or quadru-
4.1 A SUDA sampler (see Figs. 1 and 2) is attached to a
pole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-
sampling manifold and exposed to gaseous UF for a specified
MS) using Test Method C1474.
time period. At a gas pressure of 5.3 kPa to 10.6 kPa (40 Torr
to80 Torr),thisistypically2to5min (1, 2).UF ishydrolyzed
5. Significance and Use
by the water content in the sorbent film to form chemically-
stable uranyl fluoride, which typically forms as a hydrate,
5.1 Facility operators and safeguards inspectors routinely
UO F ·2H O, in the presence of water.
2 2 2 collectUF samplesfromprocessinglines,isotopicenrichment
cascades or storage cylinders to determine uranium isotopic
235 238
composition. The isotope ratio n( U)/n( U) is particularly
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
importantsinceitisusedtocalculatetheamountoffissile U
Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
Switzerland, https://www.iso.org. in the sample.
C1913−21
5.5 Samples collected using this practice are suitable for
determinationofuraniumisotopiccomposition,asdescribedin
4.5, for safeguards applications. Care must be taken to ensure
cleanliness of the sampling tap to be used for SUDA samples,
as any UF holdup in the sampling tap from previous sample
collection could affect sample collection and isotopic measure-
ments (see Section 9 for further details regarding this issue).
Other applications of this practice are possible but require
validation prior to use.
6. Apparatus
6.1 SUDA Sampler (see Fig. 1 for exploded view and Fig. 2
for fully assembled view), including the following:
6.1.1 Sampler Body, consisting of two blank flanges of size
KF-16 as described in ISO 2861:2020.
6.1.2 Hinge Clamp, suitable for the sampler body.
6.1.3 Centering Ring, a commercially available KF-16 cen-
FIG. 2Fully Assembled SUDA Sampler Including Hinge Clamp
tering ring made of a stainless steel or aluminum ring and
fluorinatedrubber(classFKMasdescribedinPracticeD1418).
5.2 Conventional sampling practices (such as Practices 6.1.4 Insert, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), to hold the
C1052 and C1703) collect samples of UF , usually in quanti- sampling coupon in place within the sampler body.
ties greater than one gram. Due to the chemical hazards of UF
6.1.5 Sampling Coupon, prepared as described in 7.5.
(and in some cases the high collection mass), an increasing
7. Reagents
number of air transport operators are unwilling to transport
such samples. In contrast, SUDA samples are expected to be
7.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
transported as excepted quantities (for example, under UN
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
2910 (3)), as the conversion to a less hazardous, more stable
by Type 1 of Specification D1193.
chemicalspeciesavoidsthechemicalhazardsofUF similarto
7.2 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
Practice C1880. Additionally, the decreased shipping require-
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
ment and small collection mass of SUDA samplers (less than
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Practice C1880) allow for multiple SUDA samples to be
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
transported in the same shipment.
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
5.3 For safeguards applications, isotopic measurements that
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
fallwithinthe2010InternationalTargetValue(ITV)ranges (5)
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
have been demonstrated (1).
the determination.
5.4 This practice provides the following qualities:
7.3 Nitric Acid (HNO ), concentrated, spectroscopic grade,
5.4.1 Fitness for purpose in verifying nuclear material
sp gr 1.42, 15.8 M.
declarations.
7.4 Nitric Acid (HNO ), 2 % (v/v)—Carefully and slowly
5.4.2 A safe, simple and fast procedure for the sample
add 20 mL of concentrated HNO to 500 mL water ina1L
collector that minimizes sample handling and potential for
volumetric flask, then dilute to volume with water.
cross-contamination.
7.5 Sampling Coupon, consisting of the following:
5.4.3 Flexibility for use in a wide variety of facilities.
5.4.4 Robustness to adapt to minor changes in facility 7.5.1 Substrate, consisting of a commercially available
silicon wafer (or similar, providing an equivalent perfor-
operating parameters.
mance).
5.4.5 Confidentiality for the operating facility from which
7.5.2 Engineered Zeolite Thin Film, hydrated aluminosili-
the sample is collected.
cate crystals are synthesized as described in Ref (6) and
5.4.6 Safety in sample handling and transport since the
impregnated onto the substrate followed by calcination at
sample is a less hazardous, more stable form (specifically,
450 °C for 48 h.
UO F is more stable and less volatile than UF gas).
2 2 6
5.4.7 Ease of sample preparation in the laboratory with
NOTE 1—Other materials that provide an equivalent performance may
reduced processing hazards during recovery of the uranium
also be acceptable.
content (1).
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
MD.
C1913−21
FIG. 3Example Schematic Arrangement for SUDA Sampling of UF
NOTE 2—Impregnating the film by spraying is recommended to ensure
enrichment cascade or storage cylinder, using SUDAsamplers
uniform coverage.
(o
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