| Bulk | 50 c.c. | 100 c.c. | 200 c.c. | 500 c.c. | 1000 c.c. |
| Bichromate required | 20.4 " | 20.4 " | 20.4 " | 20.5 " | 20.8 " |
Effect of Varying Acid.—In these, variable quantities of dilute hydrochloric acid were used.
| Acid present | 10 c.c. | 50 c.c. | 100 c.c. |
| Bichromate required | 20.3 " | 20.3 " | 20.2 " |
Effect of Foreign Salts.—The effect of the addition of 10 grams of crystallized zinc sulphate was to decrease the quantity of "bichromate" required from 20.3 c.c. to 20.1 c.c., but the colour produced with the test-drop was very slight at 18.5 c.c., and with incautious work the finishing point might have been taken anywhere between these extremes. Zinc should not be used as a reducing agent preliminary to a "bichromate" titration. Ten grams of ammonic sulphate had the effect of rendering the finishing point faint for about 0.5 c.c. before the titration was finished, but there was no doubt about the finishing point when allowed to stand for a minute. The student should note that a titration is not completed if a colour is developed on standing for five or ten minutes. Ten grams of sodic sulphate had no effect; 20.3 c.c. were required.
Effect of Varying Iron.—The results are proportional, as will be seen from the following details:—
| Ferrous chloride present | 1.0 c.c. | 10.0 c.c. | 20.0 c.c. | 50.0 c.c. | 100.0 c.c. |
| Bichromate required | 1.0 " | 10.2 " | 20.3 " | 51.0 " | 102.3 " |
The student may now apply these titrations to actual assays of minerals. The following examples will illustrate the mode of working and of calculating the results:—
Determination of Iron in Chalybite.—Weigh up 1 gram of the dry powdered ore, and dissolve in 10 c.c. of dilute sulphuric acid and an equal volume of water with the aid of heat. Avoid evaporating to dryness. Dilute and titrate. The result will give the percentage of iron existing in the ore in the ferrous state. Some ferric iron may be present. If it is wished to determine this also, add (in dissolving another portion) 10 c.c. of dilute hydrochloric acid to the sulphuric acid already ordered, and reduce the resulting solution before titrating. By dissolving and titrating (without previous reduction) one has a measure of the ferrous iron present; by dissolving, reducing, and then titrating, one can measure the total iron; and as the iron exists in only two conditions, the total iron, less the ferrous iron, is the measure of the ferric iron.
Determination of Iron in Brown or Red Ores or Magnetite.—Weigh up 0.5 gram of the ore (powdered and dried at 100° C.), and dissolve in from 10 to 20 c.c. of strong hydrochloric acid, boiling until all is dissolved, or until no coloured particles are left. Dilute, reduce, and titrate.
Determination of Iron in Pyrites.—Weigh up 1 gram of the dry powdered ore, and place in a beaker. Cover with 10 c.c. of strong sulphuric acid, mix well by shaking, and place on the hot plate without further handling for an hour or so until the action has ceased. Allow to cool, and dilute to 100 c.c. Warm until solution is complete. Reduce and titrate.