Determination of Major Components in Phosphate Ores by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry

The phosphate ore samples were fused by grainy NaOH in a silver crucible at 700℃, and then dissolved with HCl acid solution. A method for the determination of Si, P, S, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Ti and Mn in phosphate ores by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) was then established. The interferences were eliminated by using matched matrix and off peak background correction. The sample digestion conditions and reagent usage were optimized. The selection of analysis spectral lines, the effects and elimination of interferences and instrument parameters are presented in this paper. This method provides the advantages of high recoveries of 97.92%-107.1% with relative standard deviations (RSD, n=12) of 0.28%-1.85% and is rapid and inexpensive. The presented method has been applied to the analysis of major elements in national standard reference of phosphate ores and the results are in agreement with certified values.