The application note describes the methods employed at Agilent Technologies in the analysis of iron ore samples for fifteen different elements.
The document outlines the atomic absorption technique as an ideal method for rapidly analyzing a wide range of elements in ore samples. It details specific procedures developed at Agilent Technologies for determining concentrations of fifteen elements, including Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), and various trace metals.
The note provides step-by-step experimental instructions, covering sample preparation via fusion with sodium hydroxide or digestion with acids. It specifies the exact resonance lines to be used for measurement in different flame types (air-acetylene vs. nitrous oxide-acetylene) and describes a specific extraction procedure using iso-butyl acetate to remove bulk iron before analyzing trace metals.
| Analysis Time (Fe, Si, Al) | within 3 hours |
|---|---|
| Analysis Time (12 elements) | 6 to 8 hours |
The less sensitive 3719.9 A line is recommended because of the high concentration of iron in solution.
A slightly fuel-rich (reducing) N2O-C,H, flame should be used.
The bulk of the iron is first removed by extraction into iso-butyl acetate.