ASTM E267-90(2001)
Standard Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic Abundances

Standard No.

ASTM E267-90(2001)

Release Date

1970

Published By

/

Status

Withdraw 2006-01

Latest

ASTM E267-90(2001)

Scope

1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) concentrations and their isotopic abundances (Note 1) in solutions which result from the dissolution of nuclear reactor fuels either before or after irradiation. A minimum sample size of 50 µg of irradiated U will contain sufficient Pu for measurement and will minimize the effects of cross contamination by environment U. NOTE 1—The isotopic abundance of 238 Pu can be determined by this test method; however, interference from 238 U may be encountered. This interference may be due to (1) inadequate chemical separation of uranium and plutonium, (2) uranium contamination within the mass spectrometer, and (3) uranium contamination in the filament. One indication of uranium contamination is a changing 238/239 ratio during the mass spectrometer run, in which case, a meaningful 238 Pu analysis cannot be obtained on that run. If inadequate separation is the problem, a second pass through the separation may remove the uranium. If contamination in the mass spectrometer or on the filaments is the problem, use of a larger sample, for example, 1 µg, on the filament may ease the problem. A recommended alternative method of determining 238 Pu isotopic abundance without 238 U interference is alpha spectroscopy using Practice D 3084. The 238 Pu abundance should be obtained by determining the ratio of alpha particle activity of 238 Pu to the sum of the activities of 239 Pu and 240 Pu. (1)2 The contribution of 239 Pu and 240 Pu to the alpha activity differs from their isotopic abundances due to different specific activities. 1.2 The procedure is applicable to dissolver solutions of uranium fuels containing plutonium, aluminum, stainless steel, or zirconium. Interference from other alloying constituents has not been investigated and no provision has been made in the test method for fuels used in the 232 Th-233 U fuel cycle. 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 appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

ASTM E267-90(2001) Referenced Document

• ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water*， 1999-04-22 Update
• ASTM D3084 Standard Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water*， 1996-04-22 Update
• ASTM E137 
• ASTM E219 Test Method for Atom Percent Fission in Uranium Fuel (Radiochemical Method) (Withdrawn 2001)*， 2021-03-02 Update
• ASTM E244 Test Method for Atom Percent Fission in Uranium and Plutonium Fuel (Mass Spectrometric Method) (Withdrawn 2001)*， 2021-03-02 Update

ASTM E267-90(2001) history

• 1970 ASTM E267-90(2001) Standard Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic Abundances
• 1990 ASTM E267-90(1995) Standard Test Method for Uranium and Plutonium Concentrations and Isotopic Abundances