Work Item
ASTM WK46601
New Test Method for The Determination of the Oxygen to Metal (O/M) Ratio in Sintered Mixed Oxides ((U, Pu)O2) Pellets by Gravimetry
1. Scope
This practice is an alternative method to test method C698 for the determination of the oxygen-to-metal atom ratio (O/M) in sintered mixed oxide fuel (MOX) pellets. The method presented in test method C698 is a one-step thermogravimetric method for determining O/M ratio in sintered MOX powders and pellets. As stated in ASTM C 698, thermogravimetric methods using a two-step heating cycle are also satisfactory. The method presented in this test method is a two-step heating cycle method. This practice is applicable to sintered MOX pellets containing up to 10 weight percent PuO2.
Keywords
plutonium; thermal analysis; gravimetry; uranium; MOX; oxygen to metal (O/M) ratio
Rationale
This standard is needed because it is a method used in large scale MOX fuel fabrication facilities. It will be used to measure O/M ratio in MOX fuel fabricated in the MOX fuel fabrication facility on the Savannah River Site.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 06-30-2014
Technical Contact: Ben Karmiol
Item: 002
Ballot: C26.05 (14-03)
Status: Negative Votes Need Resolution
Item: 015
Ballot: C26 (15-01)
Status: Ballot Item Approved