ASTM C788-03(2021)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals
Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals
ABSTRACT
This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5% 235U intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF6 or direct conversion to uranium oxide. This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals. The purpose of this specification is: to define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard uranyl nitrate, and to define additional limits for reprocessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and commercial standard uranyl nitrate).
SCOPE
1.1 This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5 % 235U intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF6 (for feed to an enrichment plant) or direct conversion to uranium oxide (for use in reactors).
1.2 This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals. It recognizes the diversity of manufacturing methods and the processes to which it is subsequently to be subjected. It is therefore anticipated that it may be necessary to include supplementary specification limits by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer. Different limits are appropriate depending on whether or not the uranyl nitrate is to be converted to UF6 for subsequent processing.
1.3 The purpose of this specification is: (a) to define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard uranyl nitrate, and (b) to define additional limits for reprocessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and commercial standard uranyl nitrate). For such uranyl nitrates, special provisions may need to be made to ensure that no extra hazard arises to the employees, the process equipment, or the environment.
1.4 The scope of this specification does not comprehensively cover all provisions for preventing criticality accidents, for health and safety, or for shipping. Observance of this standard does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform to all international, federal, state and local regulations for processing, shipping, or any other way of using the uranyl nitrate. An example of a U.S. Government Document is the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 50 (latest edition).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Sep-2021
- Technical Committee
- C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
- Drafting Committee
- C26.02 - Fuel and Fertile Material Specifications
Relations
- Effective Date
- 15-Jan-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2020
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2020
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2015
- Effective Date
- 15-Jun-2014
- Effective Date
- 15-Jun-2014
- Effective Date
- 15-Jan-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2010
Overview
ASTM C788-03(2021) - Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals provides essential criteria for nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals, each containing no more than 5% 235U. This specification supports the nuclear industry by defining impurity and uranium isotope limits for both commercial and reprocessed uranyl nitrate, whether used as a precursor for uranium hexafluoride (UF6) or for direct conversion to uranium oxide (UO2) for reactor fuel. Developed according to internationally recognized principles, ASTM C788 sets baseline requirements for material quality, safety, and traceability, accommodating the diversity of manufacturing and processing methods in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Key Topics
Scope and Coverage
- Applies to uranyl nitrate solutions and crystals intended for UF6 production (nuclear fuel enrichment) or direct conversion to uranium oxide.
- Specifies a limit of 5% maximum 235U content.
- Considers both commercial and reprocessed uranyl nitrate, recognizing typical differences in impurity and isotope profiles.
Impurity and Isotope Limits
- Defines stringent impurity limits for elements such as antimony, boron, chlorine, fluorine, lead, thorium, silicon, and others, with separate tables for material destined for UF6 or UO2 end use.
- Stipulates maximum uranium isotope concentrations for commercial and reprocessed products, with special requirements for products containing reprocessed uranium.
- Addresses radionuclide content, including controls on gamma-emitting fission products and alpha activity from transuranic isotopes.
Sampling and Analysis
- Requires representative sampling and traceable identification of all material containers.
- Analytical verification is mandated as a part of the manufacturer’s quality assurance and nuclear materials accountability programs.
- Calls for use of validated chemical and isotopic analysis methods as per referenced ASTM standards or as mutually agreed.
Regulatory and Safety Requirements
- Emphasizes compliance with all international, federal, state, and local regulations regarding criticality safety, health, environmental protection, and shipping.
- Referenced guides include the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 10, Part 50 and ASME NQA-1 quality assurance standards.
- Assigns responsibility for safety practice development and regulatory compliance to the user of the standard.
Applications
ASTM C788 is vital for:
Nuclear Fuel Manufacturing:
- Provides the foundational material specification for nuclear fuel producers who convert uranyl nitrate solution or crystals into uranium hexafluoride or directly into uranium oxide for reactor core fabrication.
Commercial and Reprocessed Uranium Management:
- Supports consistent characterization and control of uranyl nitrate whether derived from unirradiated uranium or reprocessed fuel.
Regulatory and Quality Assurance Compliance:
- Assists facilities in demonstrating conformance to material quality, safety, and traceability expectations required by national and international regulatory authorities.
Supply Chain and Procurement:
- Provides purchasers and suppliers with a clear, standardized basis for specifying and accepting nuclear-grade uranyl nitrate products.
Related Standards
- ASTM C787 - Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment
- ASTM C996 - Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to Less Than 5% 235U
- ASTM C799 - Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solutions
- ASTM C859 - Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
- ASTM C1233 - Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials
- ASTM C1295 - Test Method for Gamma Energy Emission from Fission and Decay Products in Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranyl Nitrate Solution
- ANSI/ASME NQA-1 - Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear Facility Applications
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 50 - Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities
Keywords: uranyl nitrate, nuclear-grade, uranium solutions, uranium isotope limits, impurity limits, nuclear fuel, ASTM C788, uranium hexafluoride, uranium oxide, reprocessed uranium, nuclear industry standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM C788-03(2021) is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5% 235U intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF6 or direct conversion to uranium oxide. This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals. The purpose of this specification is: to define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard uranyl nitrate, and to define additional limits for reprocessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and commercial standard uranyl nitrate). SCOPE 1.1 This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5 % 235U intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF6 (for feed to an enrichment plant) or direct conversion to uranium oxide (for use in reactors). 1.2 This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals. It recognizes the diversity of manufacturing methods and the processes to which it is subsequently to be subjected. It is therefore anticipated that it may be necessary to include supplementary specification limits by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer. Different limits are appropriate depending on whether or not the uranyl nitrate is to be converted to UF6 for subsequent processing. 1.3 The purpose of this specification is: (a) to define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard uranyl nitrate, and (b) to define additional limits for reprocessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and commercial standard uranyl nitrate). For such uranyl nitrates, special provisions may need to be made to ensure that no extra hazard arises to the employees, the process equipment, or the environment. 1.4 The scope of this specification does not comprehensively cover all provisions for preventing criticality accidents, for health and safety, or for shipping. Observance of this standard does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform to all international, federal, state and local regulations for processing, shipping, or any other way of using the uranyl nitrate. An example of a U.S. Government Document is the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 50 (latest edition). 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 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.
ABSTRACT This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5% 235U intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF6 or direct conversion to uranium oxide. This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals. The purpose of this specification is: to define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard uranyl nitrate, and to define additional limits for reprocessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and commercial standard uranyl nitrate). SCOPE 1.1 This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5 % 235U intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF6 (for feed to an enrichment plant) or direct conversion to uranium oxide (for use in reactors). 1.2 This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate solution or crystals. It recognizes the diversity of manufacturing methods and the processes to which it is subsequently to be subjected. It is therefore anticipated that it may be necessary to include supplementary specification limits by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer. Different limits are appropriate depending on whether or not the uranyl nitrate is to be converted to UF6 for subsequent processing. 1.3 The purpose of this specification is: (a) to define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard uranyl nitrate, and (b) to define additional limits for reprocessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and commercial standard uranyl nitrate). For such uranyl nitrates, special provisions may need to be made to ensure that no extra hazard arises to the employees, the process equipment, or the environment. 1.4 The scope of this specification does not comprehensively cover all provisions for preventing criticality accidents, for health and safety, or for shipping. Observance of this standard does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform to all international, federal, state and local regulations for processing, shipping, or any other way of using the uranyl nitrate. An example of a U.S. Government Document is the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 50 (latest edition). 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 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.
ASTM C788-03(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM C788-03(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM C1295-24, ASTM C859-24, ASTM C787-20, ASTM C996-20, ASTM C799-19, ASTM C787-15, ASTM C996-15, ASTM C1295-15, ASTM C1295-14, ASTM C859-14a, ASTM C859-14, ASTM C859-13a, ASTM C859-13, ASTM C787-11, ASTM C859-10b. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM C788-03(2021) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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:C788 −03 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C788; 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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This specification applies to nuclear-grade aqueous
235 mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
uranyl nitrate solution or crystals not exceeding 5% U
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
intended for subsequent manufacture into either UF (for feed
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to an enrichment plant) or direct conversion to uranium oxide
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(for use in reactors).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 This specification is intended to provide the nuclear
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
industry with a general standard for aqueous uranyl nitrate
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
solution or crystals. It recognizes the diversity of manufactur-
ingmethodsandtheprocessestowhichitissubsequentlytobe
2. Referenced Documents
subjected.Itisthereforeanticipatedthatitmaybenecessaryto
2.1 ASTM Standards:
include supplementary specification limits by agreement be-
C787Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
tween purchaser and manufacturer. Different limits are appro-
ment
priate depending on whether or not the uranyl nitrate is to be
C799Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
converted to UF for subsequent processing.
Spectrochemical,Nuclear,andRadiochemicalAnalysisof
1.3 The purpose of this specification is: (a) to define the
Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solutions
impurity and uranium isotope limits for commercial standard
C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
uranyl nitrate, and (b) to define additional limits for repro-
C996Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
cessed uranyl nitrate (or any mixture of reprocessed and
Less Than 5% U
commercial standard uranyl nitrate). For such uranyl nitrates,
C1233Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents
special provisions may need to be made to ensure that no extra
of Nuclear Materials
hazard arises to the employees, the process equipment, or the
C1295Test Method for Gamma Energy Emission from
environment.
Fission and Decay Products in Uranium Hexafluoride and
Uranyl Nitrate Solution
1.4 The scope of this specification does not comprehen-
2.2 ANSI Standard:
sively cover all provisions for preventing criticality accidents,
ANSI/ASME NQA-1Quality Assurance, Requirements for
for health and safety, or for shipping. Observance of this
Nuclear Facility Applications
standard does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform
2.3 U.S. Government Document:
to all international, federal, state and local regulations for
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10,(Energy), Part 50,
processing, shipping, or any other way of using the uranyl
Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facili-
nitrate. An example of a U.S. Government Document is the
ties
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 50 (latest edition).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Terminology
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on the ASTM website.
NuclearFuelCycleandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeC26.02onFuel Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
and Fertile Material Specifications. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C788–03 (2015). 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
DOI: 10.1520/C0788-03R21. www.access.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C788−03 (2021)
3.1.1 Terms shall be defined in accordance with Terminol- 5.3.1 The impurity limit of each element listed in Table 1
ogy C859, except for the following: shall not exceed its designated maximum.
3.1.1.1 commercial standard uranyl nitrate—refers to ura- 5.3.2 The sum of concentrations of the following elements
nyl nitrate made from unirradiated uranium. However, it is (which do not form volatile fluorides) shall not exceed 500
recognized that some contamination with reprocessed uranium µg/g U:
may occur during routine processing; this is acceptable, pro-
Aluminum Iron Silver
Barium Lead Sodium
vided that the product meets the specification for commercial
Bismuth Lithium Strontium
standard uranyl nitrate as defined in 4.2.
Cadmium Magnesium Thorium
3.1.1.2 reprocessed uranyl nitrate—refers to any uranyl
Calcium Manganese Tin
Copper Nickel Zinc
nitrate made from uranium that has been exposed in a neutron
Potassium Zirconium
irradiationfacilityandsubsequentlychemicallyseparatedfrom
5.4 Whentheuranylnitrateisintendedfordirectconversion
the fission products and transuranic isotopes so generated.The
to an oxide (not through the hexafluoride), the following
limits given in this specification are intended to be typical of
clauses shall apply:
reprocessed spent fuel having achieved burn-up levels of up to
5.4.1 The impurity limit of each element listed in Table 2
50000megawattdaypertonofuraniuminlightwa
...




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