Conductometric determination of carbon in uranium carbide and its solutionin nitric acid

A simple but accurate method has been developed for the determination of ca rbon in uranium carbide powders/pellets as well as in solutions of uranyl n itrates. The methodology involves quantitative conversion of carbon present in the sample to carbon dioxide that is subsequently absorbed in a dilute solution of barium hydroxide. The conductivity shift of the barium hydroxid e solution is monitored on-line continuously using a laboratory-built PC-ba sed conductivity measurement system that has been developed in-house based on the direct conversion of conductance to the digital pulse frequency. A n ew gas absorption cell has been designed to ensure quantitative absorption during the residence time of the gas in the cell. The method is sensitive, accurate and precise to 1-3% at 600-1000 mu g of carbon in samples of urani um carbide. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.