A method is described for the quantitative separation of uranium from practically all other elements in 1M hydrochloric acid solution containing ascorbic acid. From such a solution uranium is retained selectively by a column containing open-cell polyurethane foam Impregnated with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO). The uranium together with TOPO is eluted with ethanol and then 1t is adsorbed on a column of Dowex 1 anion exchange resin from a HC1-organic solvent system. Uranium is eluted with 1M hydrochloric acid.