Available Cyanide by OIA1677 and/or ASTM D6888-09 - these methods have been recently updated to contain a sulfide abatement reagent that treats fopr sulfide automatically. Sulfide is one of the few interferences with the method. We have found that if sulfide is detected with lead carbonate it is best to dilute the sample. We have also found that just because sulfide is not detected by the strips does not mean it isn’t there. Use the sulfide abatement reagent and never worry about sulfide again.

ASTM D7284-08 is a distillation method that uses OIA1677 and/or ASTM D6888 as the determination step. Using gas diffusion amperometry eliminates the use of hazardous and smelly pyridine plus it overcomes interferences with colorimetry, such as sulfide or sulfite. Quit making pyridine barbituric acid reagent. Quit wondering if your chloramine T is fresh. Use ASTM D7284 and measure cyanide more accurately.

But, why distill at all? Why not use ASTM D7511-09? This method utilizes UV irradiation to liberate strong metal cyanide and passes the HCN generated through a gas diffusion membrane into a basic acceptor solution where cyanide is measured with a highly sensitive and selective amperometric detector. No heat, and no distillation is required. It is the heat involved during distillation combined with the oxidizing power of concentrated sulfuric acid that produces cyanide out of the organic nitrogen compounds in your samples. The definition of total cyanide does not include organics and thiocyanate. Why do you want to?

Save time by not distilling, Save money with decreased labor. Be more accurate with gas diffusion amoperometry. Measure what you’re supposed to measure and do it quickly.