ASTM C1853-17

1.1 This test method is an alternative to Test Method C698 for the determination of carbon in nuclear grade sintered mixed oxide (MOX) fuel pellets. The method for the determination of carbon presented in Test Method C698 consists of combusting carbon contained in MOX pellets with oxygen in a high-frequency induction furnace and detecting the resulting carbon dioxide using a thermal conductivity cell. The method for the determination of carbon presented in this test method consists of combusting carbon contained in MOX pellets with oxygen in a high-frequency induction furnace and subsequent detection of the resulting carbon dioxide (CO₂) using a non-dispersive infrared detector (NDIR). Sulfur oxide is stripped from the carrier gas stream by a cellulose filter prior to the detection of CO₂.