Effects of Inert Gas Sparging Deaeration Method on Zirconium Analysis in Aqueous Media
| International Journal of Chemical Engineering Research |
| © 2025 by SSRG - IJCER Journal |
| Volume 12 Issue 3 |
| Year of Publication : 2025 |
| Authors : MENDY Paul, KOITA Démo, TZEDAKIS Theo, SAMBOU Vincent, DIEDHIOU Moussa Bagha, NDOYE Mouhamed, HASSAN Ali |
10.14445/23945370/IJCER-V12I3P101
How to Cite?
MENDY Paul, KOITA Démo, TZEDAKIS Theo, SAMBOU Vincent, DIEDHIOU Moussa Bagha, NDOYE Mouhamed, HASSAN Ali, "Effects of Inert Gas Sparging Deaeration Method on Zirconium Analysis in Aqueous Media," SSRG International Journal of Chemical Engineering Research, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 1-9, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23945370/IJCER-V12I3P101
Abstract:
This study evaluates the impact of the inert gas (N₂, Ar) bubbling deaeration method on the electrochemical analysis of zirconium in alkaline aqueous media. Nitrogen, tested with flow rates of up to 10 cm³/s and prolonged bubbling times (1 h), was seen to be ineffective in suppressing interferences related to the reduction of residual oxygen (peak at -1.1 V/SCE), systematically masking the Zr (IV) signal. In contrast, argon allowed an optimal removal of dissolved O₂, revealing a clear reduction of Zr (IV) to Zr (0) from -1.5 V/SCE, with a current density proportional to the zirconium concentration (7 to 18 mA/cm² for 0.001 to 0.005 M). Parameter optimization (Ar flow rate: 5 cm³/s; time: 30 min) improved the reproducibility and sensitivity of the measurements, eliminating electrochemical artifacts. These results reveal the effectiveness of argon for analyses in oxygenated environments, providing a reliable method for the precise quantification of zirconium, particularly in critical industrial contexts such as nuclear power. This approach now opens up prospects for adaptation to other electrochemical systems sensitive to dissolved gases.
Keywords:
Argon, Bubbling deaeration, Electrochemical analysis, Nitrogen, Zirconium.
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