Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium

SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring reaction rates by the activation reaction 93Nb(n,n`)93mNb.
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for monitoring neutrons with energies above approximately 0.5 MeV and for irradiation times up to about 30 years.
1.3 With suitable techniques, fast-neutron reaction rates for neutrons with energy distribution similar to fission neutrons can be determined in fast-neutron fluences above about 1016cm-2. In the presence of high thermal-neutron fluence rates (>1012cm-2[dot] -1), the transmutation of 93mNb due to neutron capture should be investigated. In the presence of high-energy neutron spectra such as are associated with fusion and spallation sources, the transmutation of 93mNb by reactions such as (n,2n) may occur and should be investigated.
1.4 Procedures for other fast-neutron monitors are referenced in Practice E261.
1.5 Fast-neutron fluence rates can be determined from the reaction rates provided that the appropriate cross section information is available to meet the accuracy requirements.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.7 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-1995
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E1297-96 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium
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Standards Content (Sample)

Designation: E 1297 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation
1
of Niobium
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1297; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E 261 Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence Rate, Flu-
3
ence, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring
93 93m
E 262 Test Method for Determining Thermal Neutron Re-
reaction rates by the activation reaction Nb(n,n8) Nb.
3
action and Fluence Rates by Radioactivation Techniques
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for monitoring neu-
E 844 Guide for Sensor Set Design and Irradiation for
trons with energies above approximately 0.5 MeV and for
3
Reactor Surveillance, E706 (IIC)
irradiation times up to about 30 years.
E 944 Practice for Application of Neutron Spectrum Adjust-
1.3 With suitable techniques, fast-neutron reaction rates for
3
ment Methods in Reactor Surveillance
neutrons with energy distribution similar to fission neutrons
E 1005 Test Method for Application and Analysis of Radio-
can be determined in fast-neutron fluences above about
16 −2
metric Monitors for Reactor Vessel Surveillance, E706
10 cm . In the presence of high thermal-neutron fluence rates
3
12 −2 −1 93m
(IIIA)
(>10 cm ·s ), the transmutation of Nb due to neutron
E 1006 Practice for Analysis and Interpretation of Physics
capture should be investigated. In the presence of high-energy
3
Dosimetry Results for Test Reactors, E706 (II)
neutron spectra such as are associated with fusion and spalla-
93m
E 1018 Guide for Application of ASTM Evaluated Cross
tion sources, the transmutation of Nb by reactions such as
Section Data File (ENDF/A)—Cross Section and Uncer-
(n,2n) may occur and should be investigated.
3
tainty File, E706 (IIB)
1.4 Procedures for other fast-neutron monitors are refer-
enced in Practice E 261.
3. Terminology
1.5 Fast-neutron fluence rates can be determined from the
3.1 Definitions—The definitions stated in Terminology
reaction rates provided that the appropriate cross section
E 170 are applicable to this test method.
information is available to meet the accuracy requirements.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4. Summary of Test Method
standard.
4.1 High purity niobium is irradiated in a neutron field
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
93m 93 93m
producing radioactive Nb from the Nb(n,n8) Nb reac-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tion. The metastable state decays to the ground state by the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
virtual emission of 30 keV gamma rays that are all internally
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
converted giving rise to the actual emission of orbital electrons
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
followed by X rays.
4.2 Sources of the irradiated niobium are prepared for X ray
2. Referenced Documents
or liquid scintillation counting.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
93m
2 4.3 The X rays emitted as a result of the decay of Nb are
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
counted, and the reaction rate, as defined in Practice E 261, is
E 170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements
3 calculated from the decay rate and irradiation conditions.
and Dosimetry
4.4 The neutron fluence rate may then be calculated from
E 181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis
3 the appropriate spectral-weighted neutron activation cross
of Radionuclides
section as defined by Practice E 261.
E 185 Practice for Conducting Surveillance Tests for Light-
3
Water Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor Vessels, E706 (IF)
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Refer to Practice E 261 for a general discussion of the
1
determination of decay rates, reaction rates, and neutron
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-10 on Nuclear
4
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
fluence rates with threshold detectors (1-29). Refer to Practice
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1996. Published March 1996. Originally
published as E 1297 – 89. Last previous edition E 1297 – 89.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02. this test method.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E 1297
E 1006 and Guide E 1018 for the use and application of results and quality control of neutron dosimeters.
obtained by this test method.
6.2 There are some distinct advantages and limi
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