silver collection vs titration

A

Assaylabrat

New Member
#1
In my lab we test recycled precious metals. When the samples come to the lab they are in powder form. We use fire assay fusion and cupelation to determine material content (precious metals). We do use peroxide fusion with ICP-OES finish to get preliminary numbers so we can determine the proper flux mix for each sample.

My question is: when it comes to this material, what is more accurate fusion/collection or titration? Our samples have different matrix and the silver content ranges from very high to very low (80+% to 0.01%)
 
fireguy

fireguy

Supermoderator
#2
In my lab we test recycled precious metals. When the samples come to the lab they are in powder form. We use fire assay fusion and cupelation to determine material content (precious metals). We do use peroxide fusion with ICP-OES finish to get preliminary numbers so we can determine the proper flux mix for each sample.

My question is: when it comes to this material, what is more accurate fusion/collection or titration? Our samples have different matrix and the silver content ranges from very high to very low (80+% to 0.01%)
Hi Rat:
You may have specific reasons for running the preliminary by ICP rather than cupellation, but you may want to consider running your preliminary by cupellation, calculating your corrections, and then running the final analysis by corrected cupellation. This is the ASTM recognized method and used by most mining companies and refineries. You can find the method here:
www.lmine.com/product/9051x.html
The cupellation method is in volume 2.
 
A

Assaylabrat

New Member
#3
Thanks fireguy
we run preliminary via icp to "see" approximate base metal and precious metal content and prepare our sample/flux accordingly. In our experience with our different types of refined samples that come thru our lab we have to take the base metal content in to account and weigh up the proper amount of sample
 
fireguy

fireguy

Supermoderator
#4
Thanks fireguy
we run preliminary via icp to "see" approximate base metal and precious metal content and prepare our sample/flux accordingly. In our experience with our different types of refined samples that come thru our lab we have to take the base metal content in to account and weigh up the proper amount of sample
That makes sense. You can also "see" the base metal content by the preliminary assay- although it does not distinguish one from another, just reports the total non-precious metal content.
 
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