ASTM C1207-03
Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting

Standard No.

ASTM C1207-03

Release Date

2003

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM C1207-10

Latest

ASTM C1207-10(2018)

Scope

1.1 This test method describes the nondestructive assay of scrap or waste for plutonium content using passive thermal-neutron coincidence counting. This test method provides rapid results and can be applied to a variety of carefully sorted materials in containers as large as 208-L drums. The test method applies to measurements of ²³⁸Pu, ²⁴⁰Pu, and ²⁴²Pu and has been used to assay items whose total plutonium content ranges from 0.01 to 6000 g (1).

1.2 This test method requires knowledge of the relative abundances of the plutonium isotopes to determine the total plutonium mass.

1.3 This test method may not be applicable to the assay of scrap or waste containing other spontaneously fissioning nuclides.

1.3.1 This test method may give biased results for measurements of containers that include large amounts of hydrogenous materials.

1.3.2 The techniques described in this test method have been applied to materials other than scrap and waste (2, 3).

1.4 This test method assumes the use of shift-register-based coincidence technology (4).

1.5 Several other techniques that are related to passive neutron coincidence counting exist These include neutron multiplicity counting (5,6), add-a-source analysis (7), and cosmic-ray rejection (8). Discussions of these techniques are not included in this method.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

ASTM C1207-03 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1009 Standard Guide for Establishing a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1030 Standard Test Method for Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
• ASTM C1068 Standard Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1128 Standard Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
• ASTM C1133 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Special Nuclear Material in Low Density Scrap and Waste by Segmented Passive Gamma-Ray Scanning
• ASTM C1156 Standard Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
• ASTM C1210 Standard Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1215 Standard Guide for Preparing and Interpreting Precision and Bias Statements in Test Method Standards Used in the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1500 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium by Passive Neutron Multiplicity Counting*， 2024-04-19 Update
• ASTM C859 Standard Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
• ASTM C986 Standard Guide for Developing Training Programs in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

ASTM C1207-03 history

• 2018 ASTM C1207-10(2018) Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
• 2010 ASTM C1207-10 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
• 2003 ASTM C1207-03 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting
• 1997 ASTM C1207-97 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium in Scrap and Waste by Passive Neutron Coincidence Counting