Significance and Use
This practice can be used to separate uranium or plutonium, or both, prior to the impurity analysis by various techniques. The removal of uranium and plutonium prior to quantification can improve the detection limits by minimizing the signal suppression caused by uranium or plutonium when using ICP techniques. Detection limits of ~1–10 part-per-billion (PPB) may be obtainable by matrix removal. Also, removal of the uranium and plutonium may allow the impurities analysis to be performed on a non-glove box enclosed instrument.
Other test methods exist to determine impurities in uranium or plutonium. Test Method C 1517 is able to determine many impurities in uranium at detection levels of ~1–10 part-per-million (ppm) by DC-Arc Spectrometry. Test Method C 1287 is able to determine impurities in uranium at detection levels of ~100 ppb by ICP-MS. Test Method C 1432 provides an alternative technique to remove plutonium by ion exchange prior to analysis of the impurities by ICP-AES.
This practice can be used to demonstrate compliance with nuclear fuel specifications, for example, Specifications C 753, C 757, C 776, C 787, C 788, and C 996.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers instructions for using an extraction chromatography column method for the removal of plutonium or uranium, or both, from liquid or digested oxides or metals prior to impurity measurements. Quantification of impurities can be made by techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS.)
1.2 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
C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium Dioxide Powder
C757 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powder, Sinterable
C776 Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets
C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment
C788 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals
C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to Less Than 5 % 235U
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1287 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Nuclear Grade Uranium Compounds by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis
C1432 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Plutonium: Acid Dissolution, Ion Exchange Matrix Separation, and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopic (ICP/AES) Analysis
C1517 Test Method for Determination of Metallic Impurities in Uranium Metal or Compounds by DC-Arc Emission Spectroscopy
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
Keywords
AAS; extraction chromatography; ICP-AES; ICP-MS; impurities; plutonium; resin; separation; uranium;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 71.040.50 (Physicochemical methods of analysis)
DOI: 10.1520/C1647-06
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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