A rapid turbidimetric method for the determination of total sulphur in zinc concentrate.

A rapid, simple and reliable routine method for the determination of total sulphur in zinc concentrates, roasted products and leached residues from zinc smelters is described. The method involves the fusion of the ample with sodium peroxide and sodium carbonate or routine acid decomposition and dissolution to give soluble compounds. The absorbance of the barium sulphate suspension produced by the addition of barium chloride powder to a dilute hydrochloric acid solution of the sample, containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide solution as a dispersing agent, is measured at 420 nm. The results obtained for some zinc concentrates and other products are compared with those obtained by the conventional gravimetric barium sulphate method. Results for a reference zinc concentrate and other samples with various matrices and the results obtained with standard additions to the samples are good.