ALUMINUM OXIDE ASSAY

Aluminum oxide, or Al203, is a common contaminant in mineral concentrates that can affect the quality and value of the product. Alumina is particularly problematic in iron ore concentrates, where it can negatively impact the efficiency of downstream processes such as pelletization and sintering. Accurate determination of Al203 concentration is therefore important in the trading and processing of mineral concentrates.

Various assay methods are available for the determination of Al203 in mineral concentrates, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The choice of method depends on the sample type, the required detection limit, and the analytical precision required.

XRF is a commonly used method for the determination of Al203 in mineral concentrates. It is a non-destructive method that can rapidly determine the concentration of aluminum and other elements in a solid sample. The method is based on the measurement of the characteristic X-ray emission from the sample.

AAS and ICP-OES are also commonly used methods for the determination of Al203. These methods are based on the absorption of light by the aluminum atoms in a flame or plasma, which is proportional to the concentration of aluminum in the sample.
In summary, the accurate determination of Al203 concentration is crucial for the trading and processing of mineral concentrates. XRF, AAS, and ICP-OES are common assay methods for the determination of Al203 in mineral concentrates, and the choice of method depends on the sample type and the required detection limit.

Reference methodologies

Here are some common assay methods for the determination of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) in mineral concentrates, along with their typical working ranges:

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS): Working range of 0.01% to 5% Al2O3.

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES): Working range of 0.001% to 20% Al2O3.