Factors governing selection of a method for the determination of plutonium include available quantity of sample, sample purity, desired level of reliability, and equipment.

This test method determines 5 to 20 mg of plutonium with prior dissolution using Practice C1168.

This test method calculates plutonium concentration in solutions or mass fraction in solids using an electrical calibration based upon Ohm’s Law and the Faraday Constant.

Chemical standards are used for quality control. When prior chemical separation of plutonium is necessary to remove interferences, the quality control standards should be included with each chemical separation batch (9).

Committee C-26 Safeguards Statement :

The materials (plutonium metal, plutonium oxide or mixed oxide [(U, Pu) O₂] powders and pellets) to which this test method applies are subject to nuclear safeguards regulations governing their possession and use. Materials for use by the commercial nuclear community must also meet compositional specifications.

The analytical method in this test method both meets U. S. Department of Energy guidelines for acceptability of a measurement method for generation of safeguards accountability measurement data and also provides data that may be used to demonstrate specification compliance in buyer-seller interactions.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method describes the determination of dissolved plutonium from unirradiated nuclear-grade (that is, high-purity) materials by controlled-potential coulometry. Controlled-potential coulometry may be performed in a choice of supporting electrolytes, such as 0.9 M HNO₃, 1 M HClO₄, 1 M HCl, 5 M HCl, and 0.5 M H₂SO₄. Limitations on the use of selected supporting electrolytes are discussed in Section 5. Optimum quantities of plutonium for this procedure are 5 to 20 mg.

1.2 Plutonium-bearing materials are radioactive and toxic. Adequate laboratory facilities, such as gloved boxes, fume hoods, controlled ventilation, etc., along with safe techniques must be used in handling specimens containing these materials.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

Keywords

controlled-potential coulometry; coulometry; electroanalytical method for plutonium; plutonium analysis; plutonium assay using electrolysis ; plutonium concentration;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 27.120.30 (Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology)

Citing ASTM Standards

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