Abstract
ABSTRACT
Two methods of sample preparation were compared for analysis of total chromium in samples of spent ore. These spent ores result from the production of chromium chemicals. In the standard method used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the sample is reacted with nitric and hydrochloric acids and hydrogen peroxide to extract the reacted chromium from the solid matrix and to convert the chromium to the soluble hexavalent state. In the proposed alternative method of sample preparation, the sample is reacted with oxidants in an alkaline medium to more completely convert the chromium to the hexavalent state. The oxidized chromium sample is then dissolved in a hydrochloric acid solution for analysis. High and low chromium concentration samples of spent ore were prepared using the EPA and our proposed methods. Solutions were analyzed using two accepted wet chemistry methods. Comparisons were made of the efficiency of the sample preparation methods and a recommendation is made for further work.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.