Determination of uranium(VI) in process liquors by ion chromatography

Abstract

Two methods are described for the determination of U^VI in process liquors using ion chromatography based on cation separation and cation-anion separation with ammonium sulphate-sulphuric acid as the eluent. The U^VI species is detected spectrophotometrically at 520 nm after post-column reaction with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol. Chromatographic and detector variables, such as eluent composition and concentration, metallochromic indicator concentration and eluent and indicator flow-rates, are discussed. The method is linear for peak heights up to 15 µg ml^–1 and has a quantitation limit of 0.04 µg ml^–1 using direct injection.