Paper chromatographic analysis of irradiated uranium in a hydrofluoric acid medium

Chromatographic papers have been found compatible with aqueous hydrofluoric acid developing solutions to approximately 60 per cent by weight of the acid. Hydrofluoric acid is also an important solution and complexing medium in the processing and analysis of certain irradiated targets and fissile materials. The aqueous-hydrofluoric acid and methyl ethyl ketone-hydrofluoric acid media have proved to be a very convenient and versatile system in the isolation of carrier free isotopes and in the analysis of irradiated materials. The complete or partial separations of twelve fission and neutron capture isotopes of irradiated uranium are described. The identification of the isotopes has been made in most cases with a 256 channel scintillation spectrometer.