Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are designed to show whether a given material meets the purchaser’s specifications.
4.1.1 An assay is performed to determine whether the material has the specified plutonium content.
4.1.2 Determination of the isotopic content of the plutonium in the plutonium-nitrate solution is made to establish whether the effective fissile content is in compliance with the purchaser’s specifications.
4.1.3 Impurity content is determined by a variety of methods to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of specified impurities is not exceeded. Determination of impurities is also required for calculation of the equivalent boron content (EBC).
4.2 Fitness for Purpose of Safeguards and Nuclear Safety Applications—Methods intended for use in safeguards and nuclear safety applications shall meet the requirements specified by Guide C1068 for use in such applications.
Scope
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, spectrochemical, nuclear, and radiochemical analysis of nuclear-grade plutonium nitrate solutions to determine compliance with specifications.
1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:
Sections
Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry
2
Plutonium by Amperometric Titration with Iron(II)
2
Plutonium by Diode Array Spectrophotometry
Free Acid by Titration in an Oxalate Solution
8 to 15
Free Acid by Iodate Precipitation-Potentiometric Titration
Test Method
16 to 22
Uranium by Arsenazo I Spectrophotometric Test Method
23 to 33
Thorium by Thorin Spectrophotometric Test Method
34 to 42
Iron by 1,10-Phenanthroline Spectrophotometric Test Method
43 to 50
Impurities by ICP-AES
Chloride by Thiocyanate Spectrophotometric Test Method
51 to 58
Fluoride by Distillation-Spectrophotometric Test Method
59 to 66
Sulfate by Barium Sulfate Turbidimetric Test Method
67 to 74
Isotopic Composition by Mass Spectrometry
75 to 76
Plutonium-238 Isotopic Abundance by Alpha Spectrometry
Americium-241 by Extraction and Gamma Counting
77 to 85
Americium-241 by Gamma Counting
86 to 94
Gamma-Emitting Fission Products, Uranium, and Thorium by Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy
94 to 102
Rare Earths by Copper Spark Spectrochemical Test Method
103 to 105
Tungsten, Niobium (Columbium), and Tantalum by Spectro-
chemical Test Method
106 to 114
Sample Preparation for Spectrographic Analysis for General
Impurities
115 to 118
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific safeguard and safety hazard statements, see Section 6.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
