ASTM_C_997_-_83_1993e1.pdf

Designation:C 997 83(Reapproved 1993)1Standard Test Methods forChemical and Instrumental Analysis of Nuclear-GradeSodium and Cover Gas1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 997;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal 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.1NOTESection 264,Keywords,was added editorially in April 1993.1.Scope1.1 These test methods provide instructions for performingchemical,radiochemical,and instrumental analyses of sodiummetal and for determining impurities in cover gas.1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:SectionsBypass Sampling6-12Overflow Sampling13-18Wire and Foil Equilibration Sampling19-24Laboratory Distillation of Sodium25-31Hydrogen by Hydrogen-Diffusion Meter32-37Carbon by Oxyacidic-Flux Method38-46Carbonaceous Gases Released by Acid47-54Cyanide by Spectrophotometry55-64Oxygen by the Equilibration Method Using Vanadium Wires65-74Fluoride by Selective Ion Electrode75-83Chloride by Selective Ion Electrode84-92Trace Metals by Atomic Absorption or Flame EmissionSpectrophotometry93-101Cadmium and Zinc by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry102-111Potassium by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry112-121Rubidium and Cesium by Flame Spectrometry122-131Silicon by Spectrophotometry132-140Boron by Spectrophotometry141-149Uranium by Fluorimetry150-157Oxygen by Oxygen Meter158-164Carbon by Equilibration Method165-172Hydrogen by Equilibration Method173-180Sulfur by Spectrophotometry181-189Sodium Purity By Titration190-199Plutonium by Alpha Assay200-209Gamma Assay of Distillation Residue210-217Gamma Assay of Sodium Solution218-226Radioactive Iodine by Gamma Counting227-235Tritium by Liquid Scintillation Counting236-245Particles by Filtration246-254Gaseous Impurities in Cover Gas by Gas Chromatography255-2632.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testingof Steel Products2C 859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials3D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water4E 146 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Zirconium andZirconium Alloys53.Significance and Use3.1 Sodium metal is used as a coolant(heat-transfer me-dium)in nuclear reactors,particularly in fast breeder reactors.An inert gas(argon,nitrogen,or helium)is used to coversodium within a reactor and during transfer and shippingoperations to protect it from oxygen and water.To be suitablefor use,the metal and gas must meet specified criteria forpurity as determined by analysis.3.2 During reactor operation,chemical and radiochemicalimpurities resulting from corrosion and neutron activation mustbe maintained within specification levels established for thereactor system.The sodium and cover gas must be analyzedperiodically to monitor buildup of those impurities.3.3 These methods are applicable to the analysis of sodiumand cover gas for the above purposes.4.Reagents4.1 Purity of ReagentsReagent grade chemicals shall beused in all tests.Unless otherwise indicated,it is intended thatall reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,where such specifications are available.6,7Other grades may beused,provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is ofsufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening theaccuracy of the determination.5.Safety Precautions5.1 Sodium is a reactive metal.It reacts vigorously withwater and alcohol to form hydrogen,which is easily ignited1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-26 onNuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on TestMethods.Current edition approved May 27,1983.Published August 1983.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 01.03.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 12.01.4Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.01.5Discontinued;see 1991 Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 03.05.6“Reagent Chemicals,American Chemical Society Specifications,”Am.Chemi-cal Soc.,Washington,D.C.For suggestions on the testing of reagents not listed bytheAmerican Chemical Society,see“Reagent Chemicals and Standards,”by JosephRosin,D.Van Nostrand Co.,Inc.,New York,NY,and the“United StatesPharmacopeia.”7Met-L-X is a tradename for a NaCl-based powder.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.NOTICE:This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.Please contact ASTM International(www.astm.org)for the latest information.and which can cause an explosion.Take care when dissolvinga sodium sample,and it is recommended to use a safety shieldand fume hood.The proper type of fire extinguisher shall bereadily available,and locally established safety precautions forhandling sodium shall be followed.5.2 Radioactive sodium must be handled