Development and validation of a turbidimetry method for hydrogen sulphide evaluation in effluents of phosphoric acid production unit

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple, new and efficient method for the analysis of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) released from the effluents of phosphoric acid production units. H₂S sampling was performed by absorption of the industrial gas into a cadmium acetate absorbing solution. The formed cadmium sulphide (CdS), as a result of a chemical reaction, was analysed by turbidimetry. A methodical validation study of the proposed method was performed according to the requirements of ISO 17025 standards. The proposed method was demonstrated to be precise, linear and accurate over a concentration range of 6.91–92.16 mg/l. Detection and quantification limits were equal to 5.09 mg/l and 6.91 mg/l, respectively. Sample analysis had to be performed within 48 h of the sampling step. The turbidimetry method was applied successfully to the industrial gaseous effluents and can be considered as an economical alternative to the iodometric method.