Pollution-free method for the determination of iron in iron ore

A method for the determination of total iron in iron ores and concentrates is described which avoids the use of mercuric chloride. The sample is decomposed either by an acid attack or by fusion with sodium peroxide. The hot sample solution in about 6M hydrochloric acid is treated with hot 10% stannous chloride solution till pale yellow, followed by addition of a slight excess of 2% titanous chloride solution; the excess is then oxidized with perchloric acid (1 + 1). The solution is rapidly cooled in ice-water, and the iron (II) is titrated with potassium dichromate (sodium diphenylsulphonate as indicator). The results show the same degree of precision, accuracy, and degree of interference as those obtained by the standard stannous chloride-mercuric chloride method.