5.1 Measurements performed in this guide are limited to radioactive solutions, slurries, and sludges as well as simulants designed to model the properties of these radioactive materials.

5.2 Data obtained from the measurement and calculation of physical and rheological properties of radioactive solutions, slurries, and sludges are essential in developing appropriate simulants for design and testing of retrieval, transport, mixing, and storage systems for treatment of radioactive materials. These data also provide input parameters for modeling the flow behavior, processing, transport, safety, and storage of these radioactive materials.

5.3 Consistency in the handling of samples, measurement methods, and calculations is essential in obtaining reproducible results of rheological and physical property measurements.

5.4 This guide will be used to measure or calculate the physical properties listed below.

5.4.1 Bulk slurry density

5.4.2 Settled solids density

5.4.3 Centrifuged solids density

5.4.4 Supernatant density

5.4.5 Settling rate

5.4.6 Volume percent centrifuged solids

5.4.7 Volume percent settled solids after settling

5.4.8 Undissolved solids content

5.4.9 Dissolved solids content

5.4.10 Weight percent centrifuged solids

5.4.11 Weight percent total oxides

5.4.12 Solids content of the centrifuged solids

5.4.13 Total solids content

5.5 This guide describes the process of performing measurement of the rheological properties. The rheological measurements and calculations described in this guide are limited to shear strength, shear stress versus shear rate, apparent viscosity, consistency, and yield stress.

5.6 Due to the nature of some solutions, slurries, and sludges, not all of the measurements described in this standard may be applicable to all samples. For example, some sludges do not settle; therefore, settling rate measurements are not applicable for these samples.

1.1 Intent: 

1.1.1 The intent of this guide is to provide guidance for the measurement and calculation of physical and rheological properties of radioactive solutions, slurries, and sludges as well as simulants designed to model the properties of these radioactive materials.

1.2 Applicability: 

1.2.1 This guide is intended for measurement of mass and volume of the solution, slurries, and sludges as well as dissolved solids content in the liquid fraction and solids content associated with the slurries and sludges. Particle size distribution is also measured.

1.2.2 This guide identifies the data required and the equations recommended for calculation of density (bulk, settled solids, supernatant, and centrifuged solids), settling rate, volume and weight percent of the centrifuged solids and settled solids, and the weight percent undissolved solids, dissolved solids, and total oxides.

1.2.3 This guide is intended for measurement of shear strength and shear stress as a function of shear rate.

1.2.4 Rheological property measurement guidelines in this guide are limited to rotational rheometers.

1.2.5 This guide is limited to measurements of viscous and incipient flow and does not include oscillatory rheometry.

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

1.4 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.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.