Compositions and methods for detecting sulfur
AssigneeUnited States Gypsum Company
InventorsMichael F. Jankowski, Renee J. Weinberger
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Abstract
A method for rapid detection of sulfur in a gypsum sample by causing emission of sulfur from the sample as vapors, reacting the vapors with silver nitrate and detecting sulfur by monitoring for color change. A kit for rapid detection of sulfur in a gypsum sample is also provided. Further methods include those in which the amount of sulfur in a gypsum sample is quantified in colorimetric analysis with silver nitrate and gypsum standards with known concentrations of sulfur.
Claims20
A method for detecting sulfur in a gypsum sample, the method comprising:
- heating the gypsum sample and causing emission of sulfur in vapors;
- collecting the vapors;
- reacting the vapors with silver nitrate;
- and
- detecting the presence of sulfur in the gypsum sample by change in color in the reaction between the silver nitrate and the vapors.
A kit for detecting sulfur in a gypsum sample, the kit comprising at least one detection strip and at least one detection device, wherein the detection strip comprises silver nitrate deposited on a solid support and wherein the detection device comprises a heat-resistant container and a carrier lid which can be assembled with the container such that there is substantially no air-leakage from the container when the container is covered with the lid.
A method for detecting sulfur in a mined gypsum sample, the method comprising:
- placing the mined gypsum sample in a heat-resistant container with an air-tight lid;
- obtaining a piece of chromatography paper saturated with a silver nitrate solution;
- securing the piece of chromatography paper inside of the air-tight lid and closing the container with the lid;
- heating the container for at least one minute;
- recovering the piece of chromatography paper from the lid;
- and
- determining that the mined gypsum sample comprises sulfur if the piece of chromatography paper changes its color.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.