Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of electric arc furnace flue dusts: Optimization of sample dissolution procedure

The goal of this work involves the improvement of a sample preparation methodology for ICP-MS analysis of electrical arc furnace flue dusts. Acid mixtures-microwave oven digestion procedures were developed along with a conventional quantitative dissolution method, this consisting of dissolving the sample in acid and then melting the insoluble residue with an alkaline flux, these being evaluated as sample dissolution procedures for ICP-MS analysis of major, minor and trace elements in electrical arc furnace flue dusts. Procedures were compared based on Zn, Fe, Pb, Si, Mg, Mn and Ca recovery. Data are presented for two flue dust standard reference materials, ECSC 876-1 and Cupola 6201; results indicated that the recoveries of the metals are element and matrix dependent. Although quantitative recoveries are not achieved for some of the elements, the microwave dissolution system is a good rapid turnaround survey method capable of handling high sample throughputs. Suitable selection of the analyte isotopes and the use of appropriate instrument settings improve the analytical performance of ICP-MS, making it possible to determine major, minor and trace elements from the same test sample dilution. Results are presented for ECSC 876-1, electrical arc furnace flue dust reference material. Copyright © 1996 by Marcel Dekker, Inc