Detection of carbon dioxide in the gases evolved during the hot extraction determination of hydrogen in uranium ingots

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:7212164

Jursik, M L; Pope, J D

The hot extraction method was used at the National Lead Company of Ohio to determine hydrogen in uranium metal at the 2 ppM level. The volume of gas evolved from the heated sample was assumed to be hydrogen. When a liquid nitrogen trap was placed into the system the hydrogen values were reduced 5 to 10%. The gas retained by the nitrogen trap was identified by mass spectrometry as predominantly carbon dioxide. Low hydrogen values were observed only when the nitrogen trap was used in the analysis of high-carbon (300 to 600 ppM) uranium from NLO production ingots. However, hydrogen values for low-carbon (30 to 50 ppM) uranium were unaffected by the nitrogen trap. The formation of carbon dioxide appears to be associated with the carbon content of the uranium metal. Comparisons of hydrogen values obtained with the hot extraction method and with an inert fusion--thermal conductivity method are also presented. 3 tables, 4 figures.

• Research Organization: National Lead Co. of Ohio, Cincinnati (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-05-1156
• OSTI ID: 7212164
• Report Number(s): NLCO-1146
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
ACTINIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COLD TRAPS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONDENSERS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DEGASSING
ELEMENTS
ERRORS
FLUIDS
HYDROGEN
IMPURITIES
METALS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TRAPS
URANIUM
VAPOR CONDENSERS