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 (>10 12cm2·s-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 E 261.
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.

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Publication Date
09-Jun-2002
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ASTM E1297-02 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E1297–02
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation
1
of Niobium
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1297; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements
3
and Dosimetry
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring
93 93m
E181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis
reaction rates by the activation reaction Nb(n,n8) Nb.
3
of Radionuclides
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for monitoring neu-
E185 Practice for Conducting SurveillanceTests for Light-
trons with energies above approximately 0.5 MeV and for
3
Water Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor Vessels, E706 (IF)
irradiation times up to about 30 years.
E261 Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence Rate, Flu-
1.3 With suitable techniques, fast-neutron reaction rates for
3
ence, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
neutrons with energy distribution similar to fission neutrons
E262 Test Method for Determining Thermal Neutron Re-
can be determined in fast-neutron fluences above about
3
16 −2
action and Fluence Rates by Radioactivation Techniques
10 cm .Inthepresenceofhighthermal-neutronfluencerates
12 −2 −1 93m
E844 Guide for Sensor Set Design and Irradiation for
(>10 cm ·s ), the transmutation of Nb due to neutron
3
Reactor Surveillance, E706 (IIC)
capture should be investigated. In the presence of high-energy
E944 PracticeforApplicationofNeutronSpectrumAdjust-
neutron spectra such as are associated with fusion and spalla-
3
93m
ment Methods in Reactor Surveillance
tion sources, the transmutation of Nb by reactions such as
E1005 TestMethodforApplicationandAnalysisofRadio-
(n,2n) may occur and should be investigated.
metric Monitors for Reactor Vessel Surveillance, E706
1.4 Procedures for other fast-neutron monitors are refer-
3
(IIIA)
enced in Practice E261.
E1006 Practice for Analysis and Interpretation of Physics
1.5 Fast-neutron fluence rates can be determined from the
3
Dosimetry Results for Test Reactors, E706 (II)
reaction rates provided that the appropriate cross section
E1018 Guide for Application of ASTM Evaluated Cross
information is available to meet the accuracy requirements.
Section Data File (ENDF/A)—Cross Section and Uncer-
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3
tainty File, E706 (IIB)
standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—The definitions stated in Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E170 are applicable to this test method.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 High purity niobium is irradiated in a neutron field
2. Referenced Documents
93m 93 93m
producing radioactive Nb from the Nb(n,n8) Nb reac-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 tion. The metastable state decays to the ground state by the
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
virtual emission of 30 keV gamma rays that are all internally
convertedgivingrisetotheactualemissionoforbitalelectrons
followed by X rays.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE10onNuclear
4.2 SourcesoftheirradiatedniobiumarepreparedforXray
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
or liquid scintillation counting.
Current edition approved June 10, 2002. Published September 2002. Originally
published as E1297–89. Last previous edition E1297–96.
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1297–02
93m 93 93m
4.3 TheXraysemittedasaresultofthedecayof Nbare 5.5 The Nb(n,n8) Nb reaction has the desirable proper-
counted, and the reaction rate, as defined in Practice E261, is tiesofmonitoringneutronexposuresrelatedtoneutrondamage
calculated from the decay rate and irradiation conditions.
of nuclear facility structural components. It has an energy
4.4 The neutron fluence rate may then be calculated from
response range corresponding to the damage function of steel
the appropriate spectral-weighted neutron activation cross
andhasahalf-lifesufficientlylongtoallowitsuseinverylong
section as defined by Practice E261.
exposures(uptoabout40years).Monitoringlongexposuresis
usefulindeterminingthelong-termintegrityof
...

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