ASTM C997-83 (1993)e1 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Methods for Chemical and Instrumental Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Sodium and Cover Gas — designation C 997 – 83 (Reapproved 1993), with editorial change e1. The document compiles laboratory, radiochemical, and instrumental procedures used to evaluate the chemical purity and radioactive contaminants in sodium metal used as a reactor coolant and in its cover gas.

Abstract

This standard provides step‑by‑step analytical methods for sampling and determining a wide range of chemical and radiochemical impurities in nuclear‑grade sodium and associated cover gases. Procedures include sampling techniques (bypass, overflow, wire/foil equilibration), distillation, and specific test methods for hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, halides, trace metals, actinides, tritium, iodine, particulate content, and gaseous impurities by gas chromatography. The standard was reapproved in 1993 with an editorial change (e1) and later withdrawn.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal recorded in 1999).
• Publication date: Original adoption 1983; reapproved 1993 (designation shown as C997‑83(1993)e1).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 27.120.30 – Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology.
• Edition / version: C 997 – 83 (Reapproved 1993), editorial change e1.
• Number of pages: 53 pages.

Scope

These test methods provide instructions for performing chemical, radiochemical, and instrumental analyses of sodium metal and for determining impurities in cover gas used with sodium systems. The procedures address sampling from bypass and overflow lines, wire and foil equilibration sampling, laboratory distillation of sodium, and quantitative determinations for hydrogen, carbon (multiple methods), oxygen, halides (fluoride, chloride), cyanide, trace metals (atomic absorption/flame emission/spectrophotometry), alkali and alkaline‑earth impurities, silicon, boron, uranium/plutonium assays, iodine, tritium, particulates, and gaseous impurities by gas chromatography. The methods are intended for monitoring sodium purity in reactor and handling operations.

Key topics and requirements

• Sampling methods for sodium systems: bypass, overflow, and wire/foil equilibration.
• Laboratory distillation of sodium and handling/safety precautions for reactive metal sampling.
• Determination of light elements and gases: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon (multiple assay methods), and carbonaceous gases.
• Halide analysis: fluoride and chloride by selective ion electrode techniques.
• Trace element analysis: atomic absorption, flame emission, and spectrophotometric methods for metals (Cd, Zn, K, Rb, Cs, Si, B, etc.).
• Radiochemical methods: uranium and plutonium assays, gamma assays of residues and solutions, radioactive iodine counting, and tritium by liquid scintillation.
• Particulate filtration methods and gas chromatography procedures for gaseous impurities in cover gas.
• Requirements for reagent purity and general laboratory safety when handling sodium (reactive with water and alcohol).

Typical use and users

Used by analytical laboratories, reactor operations groups, fuel cycle engineers, quality assurance teams, and regulatory compliance personnel involved with liquid‑metal (sodium) cooled reactors, fuel test facilities, and sodium handling/transport operations. Typical users are nuclear facility chemists, radiochemists, and instrumentation specialists responsible for monitoring sodium purity, corrosion products, activation products, and radiological contaminants.

Related standards

The standard references and aligns with several ASTM and other analytical standards and specifications for reagents and measurement techniques (examples cited within the text include ASTM D1193 for reagent water and other ASTM methods and spectrometric/analytical references used for specific determinations). It sits alongside other nuclear materials and analytical practice standards maintained by ASTM Committee C26 (Nuclear Fuel Cycle).

Keywords

nuclear‑grade sodium; sodium coolant; cover gas; sampling; hydrogen analysis; carbon analysis; oxygen determination; fluoride; chloride; cyanide; atomic absorption; flame emission; spectrophotometry; uranium assay; plutonium assay; tritium; radioactive iodine; gas chromatography; particulates; reagent purity; reactor coolant chemistry.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is ASTM designation C 997 – 83 (Reapproved 1993, editorial change e1), a collection of test methods for chemical, instrumental, and radiochemical analysis of nuclear‑grade sodium metal and the inert cover gas used with sodium systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling procedures, distillation and preparation of sodium samples, and specific analytical methods for a broad suite of chemical and radioactive impurities (including hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, halides, trace metals, uranium/plutonium, iodine, tritium, particulates, and gaseous impurities).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Nuclear laboratory analysts, reactor chemists, fuel cycle engineers, and quality/regulatory personnel responsible for maintaining and verifying sodium coolant purity and monitoring activation/corrosion products in sodium‑cooled systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition was reapproved in 1993 with editorial change e1 but was subsequently withdrawn (withdrawal recorded in 1999). Users should consult ASTM International for the current applicable methods or any successor standards or practices.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The standard is part of ASTM Committee C26’s body of test methods and terminology for nuclear materials and analytical methods; it references and complements other ASTM analytical and reagent standards used in laboratory practice.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include sodium coolant, cover gas, sampling, hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, fluoride, chloride, trace metals, atomic absorption, radiochemical assay, iodine, tritium, gas chromatography, and particulate analysis.