Application of ion chromatography to qualitative and quantitative determination of the main inorganic ionic components of samples from a production process of potassium sulphate

This review presents the possibility to use ion chromatography (IC) to analyse solids and brines deriving from treatment procedures of potassium salts. Qualitative and quantitative determination of ions samples has been used to make their chemical reconstruction. By using conventional calibration methods covering the whole concentration interval, analysis were not suitably accurate. During this process, the analysis is considered acceptable when the difference between the sum of the equivalents of cations and anions (ΔE) is ≤2%. For the process, a calibration method has been used employing four reference curves; each defined by three points corresponding to three standards purposely devised in our laboratory. The composition of the standards matched that expected for the samples from the different stages of the process reaction, after their usual sampling, dissolution and dilution. By comparing the conductivity of the analyte in the real sample to the conductivity of the same analyte in a standard, the effects of other analytes present in the medium are practically cancelled and need not be considered. The IC method results are in good agreement with conventional analysis methods (potentiometric titration, atomic absorption, gravimetric analysis).