1、Designation: C 1429 99 (Reapproved 2009)Standard Test Method forIsotopic Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride by Double-Standard Multi-Collector Gas Mass Spectrometer1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1429; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforigina
2、l adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers a quantitative test methodapplicable to de
3、termining the mass percent of uranium isotopesin uranium hexafluoride (UF6) samples. This method as de-scribed is for concentrations of235U between 0.1 and 10mass %, and234U and236U between 0.0001 and 0.1 mass %.1.2 This test method is for laboratory analysis by a gas massspectrometer with a multi-c
4、ollector.1.3 This standard complements Test Methods C 761, sec-tions 35 through 40, the double-standard method for gas massspectrometers using a single collector, by providing a methodfor spectrometers using a multi-collector.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, i
5、f any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C 761 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrom
6、etric,Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis ofUranium HexafluorideC 787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-mentC 996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched toLess Than 5 %235UC 1215 Guide for Preparing and Interpreting Precision andBias Statements in Test Metho
7、d Standards Used in theNuclear Industry3. Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 A standard, nthe low-value standard of a standardpair that brackets the sample.3.1.2 B standard, nthe high-value standard of a standardpair that brackets the sample.3.1.3 determination, na s
8、ingle isotopic value, calculatedfrom a sequence of ratios; the most basic isotopic valuecalculated.3.1.4 Lagranges interpolation formula, na mathematicalequation designed to estimate values between two or moreknown values.3.1.5 run, na completed, six-entry symmetrical sequenceconsisting of A standar
9、d, sample, B standard, B standard,sample, and A standard from which a determination can becalculated for one or more isotopes.3.1.6 standard spread, nthe difference between the highand low standards; sometimes called standard range.3.1.7 test result, na reported value; the mean of two ormore determi
10、nations.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 Uranium hexafluoride gas is introduced into an ioniza-tion source. The resulting ions are accelerated down the flighttube into the magnetic field. The magnetic field separates theions into ion beams in accordance with the m/e ratio. Fourcollectors are stationed s
11、o the234UF5+,235UF5+,236UF5+, and238UF5+ion beams strike individual collectors.4.2 Two standards are chosen whose values bracket thedesired isotope of the sample. The sample and two standardsare introduced in a six-entry, symmetrical sequence. Then,measurements are taken that give the mole ratio of
12、the desiredisotope to238U.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM CommitteeC26 on NuclearFuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods ofTest.Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published July 2009. Originally approvedin 1999. Last previous edition appr
13、oved in 2004 as C 1429 99 (2004).2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM Internationa
14、l, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.4.3 Through Lagranges interpolation formula, these mea-surements are used to calculate the mass percent of the desiredisotope. If standards are available that bracket all isotopes, thenthe234U,235U, and236U mass p
15、ercents are calculated from thesame six-entry run.4.4 The results of two six-entry, symmetrical-sequence runsare averaged to find test results for each isotope. The238U masspercent is obtained by subtraction.5. Significance and Use5.1 Uranium hexafluoride used to produce nuclear-reactorfuel must mee
16、t certain criteria for its isotopic composition.This test method may be used to help determine if samplematerials meet the criteria described in Specifications C 787and C 996.6. Apparatus6.1 Mass spectrometer with the following features andcapabilities:6.1.1 An ion source with an accelerating voltag
17、e of approxi-mately 8 kV,6.1.2 A resolving power of greater than or equal to 500,6.1.3 A minimum of three points of attachment for stan-dards or samples,6.1.4 An ion collection system consisting of four collectorcups stationed to collect234UF5+,235UF5+,236UF5+, and238UF5+ions,6.1.5 An ion-current am
18、plifier for each collector cup,6.1.6 A voltage-to-frequency (V-to-F) converter for eachamplifier,6.1.7 A counter for each V-to-F converter, and6.1.8 Computer control over opening and closing valves, thetiming, and the integration of analytical sequences.7. Procedure7.1 Select standards:7.1.1 Choose
19、high and low standards that bracket thesample isotope(s) being evaluated. If the mass percentof234U,235U, and236U are all desired, then the two standardsmust bracket each of the three isotopes to permit calculation ofall isotopes for every run.7.1.2 If standards that bracket all isotopes are unavail
20、able,analyze the isotope(s) bracketed by the originally selectedstandards, then select other standards to run the remainingisotope(s).7.2 Prepare Sample and Standards:7.2.1 Attach sample and standard containers to the spec-trometer.7.2.2 Open and close the appropriate valves to evacuate theair from
21、the inlet system.7.2.3 Open the sample and standard containers individuallyand vent the gas phase to the cold trap. This is to removeimpurities that may bias the results or interfere with theionization. If necessary, freeze the UF6with ice water or amixture of crushed dry ice and isopropyl alcohol t
22、o permitlonger venting without losing large amounts of UF6.7.2.4 Permit exhaust system pressure to recover.7.2.5 Check to see if impurities have been sufficientlyremoved by introducing UF6into the ion source and observingpressure, or exhausting through the cold trap and observingpressure on the othe
23、r side, or any other suitable means.7.2.6 If necessary, repeat 7.2.3-7.2.5 until samples are clean.7.3 Prepare Instrument:7.3.1 Adjust instrument parameters to focus ion beams inproper collectors and maximize the238UF5+current reading.7.3.2 Enter standard values and other information if neededfor ca
24、lculations performed by computer.7.3.3 Program the spectrometer to run two of the followingsix-entry, symmetrical sequences: low standard, sample, highstandard, high standard, sample, low standard.7.4 Run the Analysis:7.4.1 Obtain measurements from all four collectors duringeach entry.8. Calculation
25、8.1 Perform the following operations for each of the234U,235U, and236U isotopes:8.1.1 For each entry, obtain a ratio by dividing the UF5+ioncount of the desired isotope by the238UF5+ion count.8.1.2 Find the mean of the two low standard ratios anddesignate this A.8.1.3 Find the mean of the two sample
26、 ratios and designatethis X.8.1.4 Find the mean of the two high standard ratios anddesignate this B.NOTE 1In a six-entry symmetrical run sequence,r11 r6! /25 A (1)r21 r5! /25 X (2)r31 r4! /25 B (3)where:rn= the ratio from the nthentry.8.1.5 Find the mass percent ratio of the low value standard(A sta
27、ndard) by dividing the mass percent of the desired isotopeby the mass percent238U.EA5 mass %234U / mass %238U (4)HA5 mass %235U / mass %238U (5)YA5 mass %236U / mass %238U (6)8.1.6 Find the equivalent mass percent ratio for the highvalue standard (B standard.) Label it either EB, HB,orYB.8.1.7 Find
28、the difference (D) between the mass percentratios of the A and B standards.NOTE 2EB EA= DE, HB HA= DH, and YB YA= DY8.1.8 Find the mass percent ratio (desired isotope/238U) ofthe sample by calculating EX, HX,orYXas follows:EX5 X 2 A! / B 2 A! DE1 EA(7)HX5 X 2 A! / B 2A! DH1 HA(8)YX5 X 2 A! / B 2 A!
29、DY1 YA(9)NOTE 3Calculations in 8.1.8 are based on an algebraic manipulationof Lagranges interpolation formula using two known values of a function.8.2 Calculate the mass percent as follows:C 1429 99 (2009)2e 5 100%EX/ 1 1 EX1 HX1 YX! (10)x 5 100%HX/ 1 1 EX1 HX1 YX! (11)y 5 100%YX/ 1 1 EX1 HX1 YX! (1
30、2)where:e = mass %234U,x = mass %235U, andy = mass %236U.8.3 Average a minimum of two determinations for each testresult.8.4 Find the mass percent238U by subtracting the masspercent of the other isotopes from 100 %.9. Precision and Bias9.1 Seven standards traceable to National Institute of Stan-dard
31、s and Technology (NIST) were selected as referencevalues. Two pairs of standards, also traceable to NIST, werechosen to evaluate the234U,235U, and236U mass percent valuesof the seven reference standards. These standard pairs wereobtained by selecting a low standard and two high standards tocreate on
32、e standard spread that was narrower for all three of thedesired isotopes and one standard spread that was wider for allthree of the desired isotopes. The234U and236U referencevalues assigned to all of these standards were determined bythermal mass spectrometer (see Table 1) with the exception ofthe
33、mass percent236U value assigned to G015-1. This valuewas obtained on a single-collector gas-phase mass spectrom-eter. The235U reference values were assigned through acombination of thermal and gas-phase analysis.9.2 The test deviated from single-day design because of theneed for a large number of te
34、st results for statistical purposes.However, each set of data for a specific combination ofreference value, standard pair, and mass spectrometer wasobtained within a 24-h period. Each reference standard was runby double-standard method 60 consecutive times for each oftwo standard pair on each of thr
35、ee mass spectrometers. Everyrun yielded three determinations, one for each isotope. Twoconsecutive determinations were then averaged for a test result.This produced a test result for each isotope after every twoconsecutive runs. The completion of each reference standardanalysis yielded 30 test resul
36、ts per combination of spectrometerand standard pair for each of the234U,235U, and236U isotopes.The combined test data for all isotopes of all referencestandards yielded 7560 test determinations and 3780 testresults. These data were collected over a period of severalmonths.9.3 The one-analyst design
37、was impractical because of theneed to accumulate such a large amount of data in as short atime as possible. After a reference standard was attached to aspectrometer, all the data for that combination of referencestandard and standard pair were obtained before the referencestandard was detached from
38、the spectrometer. The contributionto variation due to different analysts should have been minimal.Pumping down the instrument and restarting the spectrometerby computer were the basic components of that variation.9.4 Due to the difficulties in movement and ownership ofnuclear materials, as referred
39、to in Section 1.4 of GuideC 1215, the reproducibility was obtained by treating the threespectrometers as three different laboratories. This should betaken into account when considering the reproducibility re-sults.9.5 Precision3The precision was calculated based onmass percent units. The repeatabili
40、ty percent RSD for the235Uisotope was determined to be 0.006 % and was typicallyconsistent for all levels of mass percent. The reproducibilitypercent RSD for the235U isotope was determined to be0.010 % and tended to decrease as the assay increased.9.5.1 The repeatability percent RSD for the234U isot
41、opewas determined to be 0.411 % and typically decreased asthe234U mass percent increased. The reproducibility percentRSD for the234U isotope was determined to be 0.722 %.9.5.2 The average repeatability percent RSD for the236Uisotope was determined to be 0.344 % and tended to decreaseas the236U assay
42、 increased. The reproducibility percent RSDfor the236U isotope was determined to be 1.664 % and tendedto decrease as the236U assay increased. The precision resultsfor the three uranium isotopes are listed in Table 2.9.6 BiasThe observed percent bias was calculated basedon mass percent units. The obs
43、erved percent bias for the235Uisotope was determined to be 0.003 %. The observed percentbias for the234U isotope was determined to be 0.810 %. Theobserved percent bias for the236U isotope was determined tobe 3.711 %. The235U and234U data indicate no significant biasin the method. The236U data indica
44、te there may be a slight biasfor that isotope. The bias results are listed in Table 2.3Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and maybe obtained by requesting Research Report RR: C26-1008.TABLE 1 Reference Materials Used in the Test and TheirAssigned ValuesIdentity Functi
45、on234U mass %235U mass %236U mass %G005 low std 0.0026 0.48347 0.0027G006 reference 0.0040 0.61074 0.0060G0101 reference 0.0052 0.99151 0.0077G012 reference 0.0096 1.2250 0.0152AG0151 reference 0.0060 1.5139 0.0152AG020-1 reference 0.0156 2.0123 0.0039G025 reference 0.0204A2.4719 0.0018BG0301 refere
46、nce 0.0224A3.0066 0.0040G030 high std 0.0186 3.0072 0.0108G0501 high std 0.0264 4.9457 0.0369AThese values are outside the bracket of the narrow standard spread, and onlythe data obtained from the wider standard pair are used to determine the precisionand bias.BThis value is not within the bracket o
47、f either standard pair, and the dataobtained for this value were not used to determine the precision and bias. Thecertainty in the assigned values, expressed as 3 3 % RSD is 6 2.2921 % for234U,6 0.0646 % for235U, and 6 2.7263 % for236U.TABLE 2 Precision and Bias Test Results in Mass Percent UnitsIso
48、tope %BiasASrB%RSDrCSRD%RSDRE235U 0.003 0.00010 0.006 0.00014 0.010234U 0.810 0.000032 0.411 0.000085 0.722236U 3.711 0.000026 0.344 0.000120 1.664A%Bias = (bias/reference value) 3 100 %BSr= repeatability standard deviationC%RSDr= %RSD for repeatabilityDSR= reproducibility standard deviationE%RSDR=
49、%RSD for reproducibilityN = 1260 for235U, 1080 for234U, 900 for236UC 1429 99 (2009)310. Keywords10.1 double-standard; isotopic; mass spectrometer; multi-collector; spectrometer; uranium hexafluorideASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.This
