Determination of carbonate content in barite ore by headspace gas chromatography

This paper reports a method for determining the carbonate content in barite ore using headspace gas chromatography. Based on the acidification reaction, the carbonate in the barite ore was converted to CO2 in a closed headspace vial. When the carbonate content was significant, the pressure caused changes in the CO2 and O-2 signals and affected the measurement accuracy. It was found that carbonate content is proportional to the intensity ratio of the CO2 to O-2 signals. Thus, the carbonate content in barite ore can be measured indirectly using a theoretical model. The results showed that the carbonate in 3 g of barite ore sample with a particle size of 74 mu m could react completely with a hydrochloric acid solution (2 mol/L) at 65 degrees C for 5 min. The method described herein had good precision (relative standard deviation < 4.14%) and accuracy (relative differences < 6.12%). Further, the limit of quantification was 0.07 mol/L. Owing to its simplicity and speed, this method can be used for the batch determination of carbonate content in barite ore.

Automated summary

This paper reports a method for determining the carbonate content in barite ore using headspace gas chromatography. The carbonate in the barite ore was converted to CO2 in a closed headspace vial, and its content was measured indirectly using a theoretical model. The method showed good precision and accuracy.