Spectrophotometric determination of the oxygen to uranium ratio in uranium oxides based on dissolution in sulphuric
B N Murty1, R B Yadav, C K Ramamurthy
1Control Laboratory, Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad, India.
Abstract:
The oxygen to uranium ratio in uranium oxides such as U(3)O(8), UO(2+x) powders and UO(2) fuel pellets has been determined by a new spectrophotometric method. The method can be used for determination of O/U ratio in UO(2) pellets and powders on a routine basis. In the described method, uranium oxides in the powder form are dissolved in 2M sulphuric acid containing a few drops of HF. The concentrations of U(IV) and U(VI) are directly determined by means of the absorbances of these species at different wavelengths. For determination of the O/U ratio in U(3)O(8) powder samples, 630 and 310 nm are the wavelengths chosen for U(IV) and U(VI), respectively. For UO(2+x) powder, where the O/U ratio lies between 2.04 to 2.15, U(IV) and U(VI) are determined at 630 and 300 nm respectively, whereas for UO(2) fuel pellets, where the O/U ratio is less than 2.01, 535 and 285 nm are used. The molar absorptivity of U(IV) at 630 and 535 nm is 21.4 and 6.8 l.mole(-1).cm(-1) and that of U(VI) at 310, 300 and 285 nm is 178.1, 278.6 and 585 l.mole(-1).cm(-1), respectively. Standard deviations of +/-0.002 O/U ratio units for pellets and +/-0.004 O/U ratio units for powders have been achieved.
Related Concept Videos
UV–Vis Spectrometers
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Flame Photometry: Lab
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Spectrophotometry: Introduction
The essential components of a spectrophotometer include a source of electromagnetic radiation, a slot for placing a material to be analyzed, and a...


