ASTM C1204-91(1996)

Factors governing selection of a method for the determination of uranium include available quantity of sample, sample purity, desired level of reliability, and equipment availability.

This test method determines 20 to 300 mg of uranium, is applicable to fast breeder reactor (FBR)-mixed oxides having a uranium to plutonium ratio of 2.5 and greater, is tolerant towards most metallic impurity elements usually specified for FBR-mixed oxide fuel, and uses no special equipment.

The ruggedness of the titration method has been studied for both the volumetric (6) and the weight (7) titration of uranium with dichromate.

1.1 This test method covers unirradiated uranium-plutonium mixed oxide having a uranium to plutonium ratio of 2.5 and greater. The presence of larger amounts of plutonium (Pu) that give lower uranium to plutonium ratios may give low analysis results for uranium (U) (1), if the amount of plutonium together with the uranium is sufficient to slow the reduction step and prevent complete reduction of the uranium in the allotted time. Use of this test method for lower uranium to plutonium ratios may be possible, especially when 20 to 50 mg quantities of uranium are being titrated rather than the 100 to 300 mg in the study cited in Ref (1). Confirmation of that information should be obtained before this test method is used for ratios of uranium to plutonium less than 2.5.

1.2 The amount of uranium determined in the data presented in Section was 20 to 50 mg. However, this test method, as stated, contains iron in excess of that needed to reduce the combined quantities of uranium and plutonium in a solution containing 300 mg of uranium with uranium to plutonium ratios greater than or equal to 2.5. Solutions containing up to 300 mg uranium with uranium to plutonium ratios greater than or equal to 2.5 have been analyzed (1) using the reagent volumes and conditions as described in Section 10.

1.3 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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 8.