Analytical Methods

Analytical Procedures - Analytical Methods
March 31, 2003

There is often a requirement to analyze sulphuric acid for a number of elements in order to determine its quality and purity. There are many different methods available for analyzing the acid for these trace elements. The detection limit and accuracy of the analysis will depend on the method used, sample preparation, reagents, etc. The following table presents suggested test methods, detection limits and accuracy for the elements most commonly measured in sulphuric acid.

Element		Test Method	Detection Limit	Accuracy
Aluminium	Al	AA (Flame)	0.1 ppm	± 10%
Antimony	Sb	AA (hydride/cold vapour)	0.005 ppm	± 5%
Arsenic	As	AA (hydride/cold vapour)	0.005 ppm	± 5%
Bismuth	Bi	AA (hydride/cold vapour)	0.01 ppm	± 5%
Cadmium	Cd	AA (Flame)	0.02 ppm	± 10%
Chlorine	Cl	Turbidmetric	1.0 ppm	± 5%
Chromium	Cr	AA (Flame)	0.05 ppm	± 10%
Cobalt	Co	AA (Flame)	0.02 ppm	± 10%
Copper	Cu	AA (Flame)	0.02 ppm	± 10%
Fluorine	F	Ion Selective Electrode	1.0 ppm	± 5%
Iron	Fe	AA (Flame)	1.0 ppm	± 5%
Lead	Pb	AA (Flame)	0.05 ppm	± 10%
Manganese	Mn	AA (Flame)	0.02 ppm	± 10%
Mercury	Hg	AA (hydride/cold vapour)	0.01 ppm	± 5%
Nickel	Ni	AA (Flame)	0.02 ppm	± 10%
Potassium	K	AA (Flame)	0.5 ppm	± 5%
Selenium	Se	AA (hydride/cold vapour)	0.005 ppm	± 5%
Silver	Ag	AA (Flame)	0.05 ppm	± 10%
Sodium	Na	AA (Flame)	0.5 ppm	± 5%
Tellurium	Te	AA (hydride/cold vapour)	0.01 ppm	± 5%
Tin	Sn	AA (Flame)	0.2 ppm	± 10%
Titanium	Ti	AA (Flame)	0.1 ppm	± 10%
Vanadium	V	AA (Flame)	0.1 ppm	± 10%
Zinc	Zn	AA (Flame)	0.01 ppm	± 10%
Nitrates	NOx	Colourimetric	1.0 ppm	± 5%
Ammonia	NH₄	Colourimetric	0.5 ppm	± 5%
Colour	-	Colourimetric	1.0 Platinum Cobalt Colour Units	± 2%
Acid Concentration	-	Titration	< 1%	± 0.05%
Sulphur Dioxide	SO₂	Titration	1 ppm	± 5%


Sulphuric Acid on the Web^TM	Technical Manual	DKL Engineering, Inc.