Year
2019
Abstract
Since 2016 the JRC-G.2/METRO team has contributed to the standardization of methods for nuclear mass spectrometry in various ways.Firstly, in 2016 the ASTM standard document for the modified total evaporation (MTE) method, written by S. Richter (JRC-G.2/METRO), S. Mialle (CEA, formerly JRC-II G.6 and JRC-G.2) and K. Mathew (LANL, US-DOE), was published with the designation ASTM C1832-16. Secondly, in early 2017 the revision of the ASTM standard document for the \"classical\" total evaporation (TE) method, written by K. Mathew (LANL, US-DOE) and S. Richter (JRC-G.2/METRO), was published with the designation ASTM C1672-17. This document contains a detailed description of the TE method for U and Pu measurements, which was originally developed at JRC, the IAEA and LANL in the late 1980s. JRC-G.2/METRO contributed in particular by reformulating the requirements for calibration and quality control for TE measurements, as well as by providing new algorithms for uranium and plutonium concentration measurements by IDMS (Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry).During the year 2018 the new standard document for the \"Double Spike\" method (DS/TIMS) for high precision 235U/238U isotope ratio measurements has been released by ASTM as C1871-18a. The double spike method for TIMS was used successfully for the validation program of the Cristallini method for sampling of UF6, to which staff from the unit JRC-G.2 in Geel/Belgium and the SGAS/IAEA contributed successfully using this method. In 2018 and 2019 JRC-G.2/METRO contributed to formulating the \"Standard Practice for Sampling Gaseous Uranium Hexafluoride using Alumina Pellets\", which was drafted by O. Pereira (IPEN, ABACC).The JRC contribution to the \"Cristallini\" sampling method for UF6 is the latest example of JRC's input on standardisation in the nuclear field. Using the \"Cristallini\" sampling method the transport of nuclear samples is cheaper and relatively safer concerning radiological protection aspects, due to the much smaller amount of radioactive material and to the non-volatile character of the samples. For the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) the advantages of the new sampling method are considered as a significant logistical improvement for safeguarding nuclear facilities of the nuclear fuel cycle working with UF6.F1