Significance and Use

Uranium dioxide is used as a nuclear-reactor fuel. Gadolinium oxide is used as an additive to uranium dioxide. In order to be suitable for this purpose, these materials must meet certain criteria for impurity content. This test method is designed to determine whether the hydrogen content meets Specifications C753 , C776 , C888 , and C922 .

1. Scope

1.1 This test method applies to the determination of hydrogen in nuclear-grade uranium oxide powders and pellets to determine compliance with specifications. Gadolinium oxide (Gd ₂ O ₃ ) and gadolinium oxide-uranium oxide powders and pellets may also be analyzed using this test method.

1.2 This standard describes a procedure for measuring the total hydrogen content of uranium oxides. The total hydrogen content results from absorbed water, water of crystallization, hydro-carbides and other hydrogenated compounds which may exist as fuel's impurities.

1.3 This test method covers the determination of 0.05 to 200 ? g of residual hydrogen.

1.4 This test method describes an electrode furnace carrier gas combustion system equipped with a thermal conductivity detector.

1.5 The preferred system of units is micrograms hydrogen per gram of sample ( ? g/g sample) or micrograms hydrogen per gram of uranium ( ? g/g U).

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

1.7 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.

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

C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium Dioxide Powder

C776 Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets

C888 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Gadolinium Oxide (Gd2O3) Powder

C922 Specification for Sintered Gadolinium Oxide-Uranium Dioxide Pellets

Keywords

gadolinium oxide; gadolinium oxide-uranium oxide; hydrogen content; impurity content; uranium oxide; Carrier gases; Hydrogen content--nuclear materials; Total hydrogen applications; Uranium oxide (U 3 O 8 );

ICS Code

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

DOI: 10.1520/C1457-00R10E01

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ASTM C1457