Gas chromatographic determination of helium in neutron-irradiated beryllium oxide.
A method has been developed for the determination of helium produced during neutron irradiation of beryllium oxide ((9)Be + n --> (8)Be + 2n; (8)Be --> 2(4)He). The sample is dissolved by refluxing in a sulphuric acid-phosphoric acid mixture in an argon atmosphere. After the sample has completely dissolved, the released helium is transferred to a gas sampling bulb by means of a Toepler pump. An activated charcoal trap cooled by liquid nitrogen is used to separate helium from argon. The helium is determined by gas chromatography using a 20-ft Linde 5A molecular sieve column.
Hibbits
J O
JO
General Electric Company, Cincinnati 15, Ohio, U.S.A.