Significance and Use

This test method is to be used to ascertain whether or not materials meet specifications for plutonium content or plutonium assay, or both.

A chemical calibration of the coulometer is necessary for accurate results.

FIG. 1 Example of a Cell Design Used at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of milligram quantities of plutonium in unirradiated uranium-plutonium mixed oxide having a U/Pu ratio range of 0.1 to 10. This test method is also applicable to plutonium metal, plutonium oxide, uranium-plutonium mixed carbide, various plutonium compounds including fluoride and chloride salts, and plutonium solutions.

1.2 The recommended amount of plutonium for each aliquant in the coulometric analysis is 5 to 10 mg. Precision worsens for lower amounts of plutonium, and elapsed time of electrolysis becomes impractical for higher amounts of plutonium.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.

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

C757 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powder, Sinterable

C758 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Metal

C759 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Nitrate Solutions

C833 Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Dioxide Pellets

C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials

C1009 Guide for Establishing a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry

C1068 Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry

C1108 Test Method for Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry

C1128 Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials

C1156 Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials

C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis

C1210 Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry

C1297 Guide for Qualification of Laboratory Analysts for the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials

Keywords

controlled-potential coulometry; plutonium analysis; plutonium at platinum electrode; plutonium in sulfuric acid; plutonium-uranium mixtures ;

ICS Code

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

DOI: 10.1520/C1165-12

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM C1165