DETERMINATION OF THE GERMANIUM CONTENT OF LIGNITE BY ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY USING A SOLID SAMPLE AND A GRAPHITE FURNACE ATOMISER

The germanium content of lignite is directly determined using a solid lignite sample. A standard solution of Ge was added to powdered coal samples which were then dried. A simple metallic bar with a cavity in it was used to introduce the sample into the furnace. Optimum temperature programming was determined to obtain Ge signals as free as possible from matrix interferences. Under optimum conditions 1 ng of Ge could be determined in a solid sample. The sensitivity of Ge as (Absorbancs/g Ge) was about 500 times greater in solid sample analysis then in liquid sample analysis.