Process and catalyst for determining nitrogen in a sample according to the Kjeldahl principle

摘要

In conventional Kjeldahl analysis for determining the nitrogen content of a sample, it is common practice to digest the sample in the presence of a catalyst in order to speed the analysis. The most widely used catalyst is mercuric oxide. While the use of this catalyst gives acceptable results, it is now evident that the environmental and health hazards connected with mercury compounds makes it desirable to avoid the use of large quantities of such compounds.;It has now been found that an antimonate, preferably potassium antimonate. may be used as the catalyst to give acceptable results while avoiding the above-mentioned problems.;Accordingly, the present invention provides, inter alia, a process for the determination of the nitrogen content of a sample according to the Kjeldahl principle using a catalyst. characterised in that the catalyst is an antimonate.;The present invention also relates to such a catalyst and to the use thereof in such a process.