Uranium determination in phosphoric acid solutions

In order to determine uranium from raw phosphoric acid solutions, resulted by the sulphuric acid attack of phosphate rocks and the strip solutions of the solvent extraction process for uranium recovery, two classes of analytical methods were established: one for low uranium content in phosphoric acid, and the other for higher uranium concentration in the same medium. The study was based on specific methods, therefore interference probability with other impurities in phosphoric acid medium is low. In the first class, X-ray fluorescence and spectrophotocolorimetric methods were used. X-ray fluorescence was applied on direct raw phosphoric acid solution and raffinate. The last one was associated with solvent extraction [di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate + triocylphosphine oxide] on the U(IV)-Arsenazo III complex in strip. The methods of the second class, were used for strip uranium concentrated solutions: X-ray fluorescence isotopic dilution and mass spectrometry, spectrophotocolorimetry and activation analysis associated with gamma-spectrometry. Here spectrophotocolorimetry involves two methods. The first one is based on the U(IV)-Arsenazo III complex and the other on direct U(IV)—phosphoric acid solutions measurements. A good agreement was obtained in each case for all comparative measurements involving various methods.     

Application of laser-induced optical fiber fluorimetry to the analysis of ultralow level of uranium

A laser-induced optical fiber fluorimetry has been reported for the analysis of ultralow level of uranium. The fluorescence spectrometer includes five major components: a pulsed nitrogen laser, optical fibers, an optrode, a detector, and a boxcar. The fluorescence intensity of uranyl ions is linear with respect to the concentration of uranium. The detection limit of uranium in 1M phosphoric acid is 24 ppb. This technique can be used for the remote, on-line measurement of low level uranium.     

Determination of (fluoro)quinolones in environmental water using online preconcentration with column switching linked to large sample volumes and fluorescence detection

An analytical method based on online enrichment using coupled-column liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been developed to determine marbofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, lomefloxacin, oxolinic acid, and nalidixic acid at trace levels in surface water. The sample containing the pharmaceuticals was pumped through a short C18 column in such a way that the analytes were retained on the column, whereas polar interferences, eluting at the first of the chromatogram, were discarded to waste. Then, the analytes were transferred by the chromatographic mobile phase to a second C18 analytical column, where they were separated following a conventional chromatography. The optimized approach allowed to preconcentrate 15 mL of sample volume adjusted at acid pH with phosphoric acid and modified with 5% of methanol, at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min in 10 min. R(2) values were between 0.994 and 0.998, detection and quantitation limits ranged between 0.001 and 0.080 and between 0.002 and 0.100 μg/L, respectively, and the interday precision was below 9.8%. Recoveries in three different surface water samples, spiked at concentration levels between 0.002 and 0.500 μg/L (n = 3 for each spiking level), ranged from 82.1 to 125.8% with the relative standard deviation lower than 12%.     

Simultaneous Determination of Tinidazole and Furazolidone in Suspension by HPTLC and HPLC

Abstract

High performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of Tinidazole and Furazolidone in suspension.

In the HPTLC method the separation of Tinidazole and Furazolidone was carried out on silica gel 60F₂₅₄ HPTLC glass plate using chloroform:methanol:ammonia (9:1:0.1 v/v) as a mobile phase. Rf values obtained were 0.63 and 0.79 for Furazolidone and Tinidazole respectively. Densitometric evaluation was done at 335 nm. Linearity was obtained within the concentration range 10–50 μg/ml and 3.5–17.5 μg/ml for Tinidazole and Furazolidone respectively.

The second method is based on high performance liquid chromatography on a reversed phase column (μ Bondapak C₁₈) using a mobile phase comprised of water: acetonitrile: triethylamine (80:20:0.1 v/v) adjusted to pH = 3.0 with dil. phosphoric acid. Retention times were 5.24 and 7.82 min for Tinidazole and Furazolidone respectively at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Detection was done at 335 nm. Linearity was obtained within the concentration range 30–180 μg/ml and 10.5–63 μg/ml for Tinidazole and Furazolidone resp.     

Determination of uranium by fluorescence method

The paper describes a procedure for the determination of uranium in dilute solutions by fluorescence method. Factors influencing the determination in a phosphoric acid medium were studied. The detection limit of uranium determination is 0.04–0.05 ppm.     

氢化物发生-原子荧光光度法直接测定环境土壤中的痕量锗

试样采用硝酸+氢氟酸+高氯酸+磷酸分解至冒尽白烟,在磷酸介质中,不经分离富集,直接在原子荧光光度计上进行测定.方法简捷快速,成本低,结果经国家一级标准物质验证准确、可靠,适合于批量样品的分析测定.本法检出限为0.072 g/g,方法精密度(RSD%,n=8)为4.5%。     

Application of ion-exchange separations to determination of trace elements in natural waters-IX: simultaneous isolation and determination of uranium and thorium

A method is described for the determination of uranium and thorium in samples of natural waters. After acidification with citric acid the water sample is filtered and sodium citrate and ascorbic acid are added. The resulting solution of pH 3 is passed through a 4-g column of Dowex 1 x 8 (citrate form) on which both uranium and thorium are adsorbed as anionic citrate complexes. Thorium is eluted with 8M hydrochloric acid and separated from co-eluted substances by anion-exchange in 8M nitric acid medium on a separate 2-g column of the same resin in the nitrate form. After complete removal of iron by washing with a mixture consisting of IBMK, acetone and 1M hydrochloric acid (1:8:1 v v ) and treatment of the resin with 6M hydrochloric acid, the uranium is eluted from the 4-g column with 1M hydrochloric acid. In the eluate thorium is determined spectrophotometrically (arsenazo III method) while fluorimetry is employed for the assay of uranium. The procedure was used for the determination of uranium and thorium in numerous water samples collected in Austria, including samples of mineral-waters. The results indicate that a simple relationship exists between the uranium and thorium contents of waters which makes it possible to calculate the approximate thorium content of a sample on the basis of its uranium concentration and vice versa.     

Direct determination of uranium in seawater by laser fluorimetry

A method for estimation of uranium in seawater by using steady state laser flourimetry is described. Uranium present in seawater, in concentration of approximately 3 ng ml⁻¹ was estimated without prior separation of matrix. Quenching effect of major ions (Cl⁻, Na⁺, SO₄⁻, Mg⁺, Ca⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻, Br⁻) present in seawater on fluorescence intensity of uranium was studied. The concentration of phosphoric acid required for maximum enhancement of fluorescence intensity was optimized and was found to be 5%. Similarly the volume of concentrated nitric acid required to eliminate the quenching effect of chloride and bromide completely from 5 ml of seawater were optimized and was found to be 3 ml. A simple equation was derived using steady state fluorescence correction method and was used for calculation of uranium concentration in seawater samples. The method has a precesion of 1% (1 s, n = 3). The values obtained from laser fluorimetry were validated by analyzing the same samples by linear sweep adsorptive stripping voltametry (LSASV) of the uranium-chloranilic acid (2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone) complex. Both the values are well in agreement.     

Direct Determination of Uranium in the D2EHPA-TOPO Organic Phase Using EDXRF Spectrometry

The determination of uranium in liquid samples using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence was investigated. The organic phase di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phosphoric acid and trioctyl phosphine oxide (D2EHPA-TOPO)/kerosene, which resulted from first and second cycles of uranium extraction from commercial phosphoric acid, was directly analyzed using ¹⁰⁹Cd as a primary excitation source. Copper was used as an internal standard, which led to a linear relation between relative intensity of uranium and its concentration. Three calibration curves, 0–100, 100–1000 and 1000–6500 g· ml^–1, according to uranium concentration in the studied samples, were constructed. The effect of different molarities of D2EHPA and TOPO was considered. The detection limit, precision and accuracy were 1.1 g · ml^–1, 3% and 1.4%, respectively. The obtained results were compared with other techniques such as -ray spectroscopy, UV spectrometry and volumetry.     

Spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with 7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid

Uranium(VI) and 7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid form a 1:2 complex with λ_max at 355 nm, in aqueous medium at pH 6.6. A procedure for accurate spectrophotometric determination of hexavalent uranium with 7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid has been described. Optimum conditions, including the effect of pH, time, temperature, order of addition of the reagents, and excess of the reagent have been studied. Range for adherance to Beer's law, effective photometric range, molar absorptivity, and Sandell sensitivity have also been reported as 1–38 ppm, 5.7–28.5 ppm, 6575 and 0.036 μg of uranium/cm² respectively. The method has been compared with some other methods for determination of uranium spectrophotometrically, with regard to their sensitivities. Interferences of various ions in the measurement of the color have been investigated, and the tentative structure of the colored species in solution has been proposed.     

Flow Injection Analysis of Carboxylic Acid Drugs Using Cationic Dyes and On-Line Ion-Pair Extraction

Abstract

A flow injection system containing an on-line ion-pair extractor has been designed for the analysis of carboxylic acid drugs using either spectrophotometric detection with gentian violet as counterion or fluorescence detection with acridine orange. Salicylic acid, valproic acid, and ibuprofen were selected as model drugs. A mobile phase of 90:10 aqueous pH 7 phosphate buffer-absolute methanol was pumped through the system at 1 ml/min. A chloroform solution of the cationic dye was pumped into the mobile phase at 1.25 ml/min and the chloroform layer containing the dye-drug ion-pair separated prior to detection. Peak height and absorbance were linear for salicylic acid, valproic acid, and ibuprofen in the 0.5–10, 5–50, and 1–10 μg/ml ranges, respectively. Peak height and fluorescence were linear for salicylic acid, valproic acid, and ibuprofen in the 0.13–5, 2.5–50, and 0.5–20 μg/ml ranges, respectively. Accuracy and precision for the spectrophotometric assays were in the 2–6% and 3.3–6.6% ranges, respectively, and in the 0.3–4% and 1.3–5.4% ranges, respectively, for the fluorescence assays. Peak height and absorbance were also shown to be linear in the 16–500 μg/ml range for prostaglandin PGF_2α with accuracy and precision of 1–3% and 5–6%, respectively, for spiked samples. Commercial dosage forms containing valproic acid and ibuprofen were assayed by the spectrophotometric assay and found to be within acceptable USP limits. Spiked ibuprofen samples at the 5 and 10 μg/ml level were assayed using an octadecylsilane column inserted into the flow injection system. One to two percent accuracy and 2.5–5% precision were obtained for the drug using the FIA-column system.     

Uranium recovery from Uro area phosphate ore,Nuba Mountains,Sudan

This study was carried out in a laboratory scale to recover uranium from Uro area phosphate ore in the eastern part of Nuba Mountains in Sudan. Phosphate ore samples were collected, and analyzed for uranium abundance. The results showed that the samples contain a significant concentration of uranium with an average of 310.3 μg/g, which is 2.6 times higher than the world average of phosphate. The green phosphoric acid obtained from the samples was found to contain uranium in the range of 186–2049 μg/g, with an average of 603.3 μg/g, and about 98% of uranium content of the phosphate ore was rendered soluble in the phosphoric acid. An extraction process using 25% tributylphosphate, followed by stripping process using 0.5 M sodium carbonate reported that more than 98% of uranium in the green phosphoric acid exists as uranyl tricarbonate complex, moreover, sodic decomposition using 50% sodium hydroxide showed that about 98% of the uranium was precipitated as sodium diuranate concentrate that is known as the yellow cake (Na₂U₂O₇). Further purification and calcinations of the yellow cake led to the formation of the orange powder of uranium trioxide (UO₃). The chemical analysis of the obtained uranium concentrates; yellow cake and uranium trioxide proved their nuclear purity and that they meet the standard commercial specification. The obtained results proved that uranium from Uro phosphate ore was successfully recovered as uranium trioxide with an overall recovery percentage of 93%.     

Optimization of the operating conditions using factorial designs for determination of uranium by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A critical evaluation of the determination of uranium by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was performed using factorial designs (2³) involving the factors: acid concentration, radio frequency power and nebulizer gas flow rate. All of the experiments in this study were made for five emission lines, in the presence of nitric and hydrochloric acid. The results demonstrated that, between nitric and hydrochloric acid, the determinations in the presence of nitric acid were most sensitive. The factorial design showed that the nebulizer gas flow rate was the most significant among the factors studied for the five emission lines. Calcium in concentrations of 10 mg L⁻¹ was observed to cause suppression of the emission intensity for some lines. Iron (at least up to 10 mg L⁻¹) did not interfere in the emission intensity of uranium across the five lines studied. Another experiment evaluated simultaneously the effect of 13 other elements, and the results demonstrated that these elements did not affect the emission intensity of uranium for the lines chosen. The optimized method, using the line at 385.957 nm, allows the determination of uranium with limit of quantification of 31 μg L⁻¹ and precision expressed as RSD lower than 2.2% for uranium concentrations of either 500 or 1000 μg L⁻¹. The accuracy was confirmed by analysis of two laboratory reference materials. The developed method was applied to the determination of uranium in an industrial effluent collected from uranium-producing mine in Caetite City, Brazil. The sample was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICP-MS, and the observed recovery was satisfactory.     

Ammonium uranyl carbonate (AUC) based process of simultaneous partitioning and reconversion for uranium and plutonium in fast breeder reactors (FBRs) fuel reprocessing

Ammonium uranyl carbonate (AUC) based process of simultaneous partitioning and reconversion for uranium and plutonium is developed for the recovery of uranium and plutonium present in spent fuel of fast breeder reactors (FBRs). Effect of pH on the solubility of carbonates of uranium and plutonium in ammonium carbonate medium is studied. Effect of mole ratios of uranium and plutonium as a function of uranium and plutonium concentration at pH 8.0–8.5 for effective separation of uranium and plutonium to each other is studied. Feasibility of reconversion of plutonium in carbonate medium is also studied. The studies indicate that uranium is selectively precipitated as AUC at pH 8.0–8.5 by adding ammonium carbonate solution leaving plutonium in the filtrate. Plutonium in the filtrate after acidified with concentrated nitric acid could also be precipitated as carbonate at pH 6.5–7.0 by adding ammonium carbonate solution. A flow sheet is proposed and evaluated for partitioning and reconversion of uranium and plutonium simultaneously in the FBR fuel reprocessing.     

Spectrophotometric determination of cerium(IV), arsenic(III), and nitrite with promazine hydrochloride

Promazine hydrochloride is proposed as a new reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of cerium(IV), arsenic(III), and nitrite. The reagent forms a red-colored radical with cerium(IV) instantaneously in 0.5?2 M sulfuric acid or 0.5?2.5 M phosphoric acid solution. The red radical exhibits maximum absorbance at 505 nm. An 11-fold molar excess of the reagent is necessary for the full development of the color intensity. Beer's law is valid over the concentration range 0.5–15 ppm in sulfuric acid and 0.5–21 ppm in phosphoric acid. The sensitivities of the reaction in sulfuric and phosphoric acid media are 0.022 and 0.019 μg/cm², respectively. The effects of acidity, time, order of addition of reagents, temperature, reagent concentration, and diverse ions are reported. The proposed method offers the advantages of good sensitivity, simplicity, rapidity, selectivity, and a wider range of determination without the need for extraction. Arsenic(III) and nitrite are indirectly determined.     

Simultaneous determination of substrate and product in the process of preparation of valienamine by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple and rapid CZE method was established for the simultaneous determination of valienamine, acarbose and validamycin A, using a 20‐kV CZE with the detection wavelength of 193 nm and 50 mM phosphoric acid–20 mM Tris (pH 5.3) as a running buffer. The calibration curves of valienamine, acarbose, and validamycin A showed a good linear relationship at a concentration range of 5–1000 μg/mL. The detection limits of valienamine, acarbose, and validamycin A were 0.3, 0.6, and 0.6 μg/mL, respectively, and the average recoveries of each of the above were 99.9, 99.5, and 100.3%. The method has been successfully applied for simultaneous determination of substrate and product in the process of preparation of valienamine.     

CdTe量子点荧光猝灭法测定奥沙利铂中微量银

以谷胱甘肽作为稳定剂,100℃恒温回流,直接合成水溶性CdTe量子点。基于Ag+对合成的CdTe量子点的荧光猝灭效应,建立了测定抗癌药物奥沙利铂中微量银的方法。考察了量子点浓度、缓冲液种类、缓冲液浓度、缓冲液pH和反应时间对银离子测定的影响。当量子点浓度为0.004 g/L时,在0.10 mmol/LpH7.4的磷酸缓冲溶液中,反应时间为5 min,体系的相对荧光强度与Ag+的质量浓度呈良好的线性关系,其线性范围为16.42～98.50μg/L,线性相关系数为0.9975,检出限为0.12μg/L。     

Fluorescence determination of trace amounts of uranium(VI) in various materials by a repetitive laser technique

A laser-induced fluorescence method (LFM) is described for determination of trace amounts of uranium(VI), with a detection limit of 4 x 10(-11) g/ml. A repetitive pulsed laser, time discrimination and an averaging technique are used. The optimum time discrimination is obtained when the uranyl ion is complexed with phosphoric acid or sodium polysilicate. LFM does not need a preconcentration step or separation of uranium from interfering elements. The time needed for analysis is only 1-2 min.     

Adsorption of uranium from crude phosphoric acid using activated carbon

The adsorption of uranium from crude phosphoric acid has been investigated using conventional activated carbons. It was found that treatment with nitric acid oxidized the surface of activated carbon and significantly increased the adsorption capacity for uranium in acidic solutions. The parameters that affect the uranium(VI) adsorption, such as contact time, solution pH, initial uranium(VI) concentration, and temperature, have been investigated. Equilibrium data were fitted to a simplified Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for the oxidized samples which indicate that the uranium adsorption onto the activated carbon fitted well with Langmuir isotherm than Freundlich isotherm. Equilibrium studies evaluate the theoretical capacity of activated carbon to be 45.24 g kg^?1.     

Development of method for determination and preconcentration of uranium in water samples using XAD-4 resin loaded with Br-PADAP

In the present work, a minicolumn of XAD-4 loaded with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(diethylamino)-phenol (Br-PADAP) is proposed as a preconcentration system for uranium determination in well, tap and mineral water samples by spectrophotometer using arsenazo III as the chromogenic reagent. Initially, a two-level (2³) full factorial design was used for the preliminary evaluation of three factors, involving the following variables: sampling flow rate, elution flow rate, and pH. This design has revealed that, for the studied levels, buffer concentration and pH were significant factors. When the experimental conditions established in the optimization step were pH = 8.6, and an elution flow rate of 8.6 mL min^?1 using 0.5% m/v ascorbic acid, this system has allowed for the determination of uranium with a detection limit (LOD) (3σ/S) of 0.05 μg L^?1 and a quantification limit (LOQ) (10σ/S) of 0.16 μg L^?1. The precision expressed as the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 0.8% and 1.9% at 10.0 and 1.0 μg L^?1, respectively- and a preconcentration factor of 184.5 for a sample volume of 50.0 mL. Accuracy was confirmed by uranium determination in the standard reference material, NIST SRM 1566b trace element units in Oyster Tissue samples, and spike tests with recuperations ranging from 93.2 to 105%; the procedure were applied for uranium determination in tap water, well water, and drinking water samples collected from Caetité and Cruz das Almas Cities, Bahia, Brazil. Five water samples were analyzed the uranium concentrations varied from 0.50 to 2.07 μg L^?1