Work Item
ASTM WK81844
New Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched From More Than 8 % to Less Than 20 % 235U
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers nuclear grade uranium hexafluoride (UF6) that either has been processed through an enrichment plant, or has been produced by the blending of Highly Enriched Uranium with other uranium to obtain uranium of any 235U concentration from 5 % to less than 20 % and that is intended for fuel fabrication. The objectives of this specification are twofold: (1) To define the impurity and uranium isotope limits for Enriched Commercial Grade UF6 so that, with respect to fuel design and manufacture, it is essentially equivalent to enriched uranium made from natural UF6; and (2) To define limits for Enriched Reprocessed UF6 to be expected if Reprocessed UF6 is to be enriched without dilution with Commercial Natural UF6. For such UF6, special provisions, not defined herein, may be needed to ensure fuel performance and to protect the work force, process equipment, and the environment. 1.2 This specification is intended to provide the nuclear industry with a standard for enriched UF6 that is to be used in the production of uranium compounts for fuel fabrication. In addition to this specification, the parties concerned may agree to other appropriate conditions. 1.3 The scope of this specification does not comprehensively cover all provisions for preventing criticality accidents or requirements for health and safety or for shipping. Observance of this specification does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform to all applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations for processing, shipping, or in any other way using UF6 (see, for example, TID-7016, DP-532, and DOE O474.1).Keywords
AGR; HALEURationale
The proposed new fleet of Advanced Gas Reactors uses significantly higher enrichment levels of uranium to operate. Also some blending of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) stock may supply temporary supplies, ultimately new uranium needs to be enriched for the HALEU market, ostensibly from commercial natural uranium sources or existing Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) stock from ASTM C996 compliant stock. Users include HTGC reactors using TRISO ceramic fuels and some molten salt reactors.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 05-10-2022
Technical Contact: Stephen Poirier
Item: 001
Ballot: C26.02 (23-02)
Status: Will Reballot Item
Item: 002
Ballot: C26.02 (23-03)
Status: Will Reballot Item
Item: 001
Ballot: C26.02 (24-01)
Status: Will Reballot Item