Rapid method for total iron determination in iron ores, sinter and related materials without use of mercury compounds

A rapid method for determining total iron in iron ores, sinter and related materials without use of mercury compounds is described. Fusion of the sample with sodium peroxide in a zirconium crucible and subsequent treatment with acid yields total decomposition and a solution amenable to direct reduction to ferrous iron with a silver reductor and subsequent titration with dichromate. Results for NBS, BCS and ISO reference standard ores demonstrate the universal applicability of the method both for routine and referee analysis. There is no interference from vanadium and two samples can be analysed in 30 min.