Method for Recovering Metal and Kit for Recovery of Metal for Use in the Same

Abstract

A method for recovering a metal, capable of recovering a metal easily without requiring the use of an organic medium, is provided. A first complex between a first chelating agent and a metal present in a sample is formed in a first mixture prepared by mixing the first chelating agent and the sample. Then, the first complex is recovered from the first mixture, and a second complex between the metal derived from the first complex and a second chelating agent is formed in a second mixture prepared by mixing the first complex and an aqueous solution of the second chelating agent. The aqueous solution is under the pH conditions where the first chelating agent can be insoluble in the aqueous solution. Then, a liquid fraction containing the second complex is recovered from the second mixture. Thus, the metal can be recovered.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An analysis apparatus for analyzing a metal, comprising:
 a pH adjusting unit configured to adjust pH;   a first mixing unit configured to mix a first chelating agent and a sample comprising a metal;   a complex recovering unit configured to recover a first complex between the first chelating agent and the metal in the sample from a first mixture containing the first chelating agent and the sample;   a second mixing unit configured to mix an aqueous solution of a second chelating agent and the first complex;   a liquid fraction recovering unit configured to recover a liquid fraction containing a second complex between the metal derived from the first complex and the second chelating agent, dissolved therein, from a second mixture of the aqueous solution of the second chelating agent and the first complex;   a metal recovering unit configured to recover the metal present in the second complex; and   an analyzing unit configured to analyze the recovered metal.   
     
     
         17 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the analyzing unit is selected from the group consisting of a GC-ECD (gas chromatography-electron capture detector), a mass spectrometer, an atomic absorption spectrometer, a visible spectrometer and an ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer). 
     
     
         18 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the pH adjusting unit comprises an acid adding unit and an alkali adding unit. 
     
     
         19 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the pH adjusting unit is a pH meter. 
     
     
         20 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the acid adding unit and the alkali adding unit each comprise a suction-and-discharge unit and a controlling unit. 
     
     
         21 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the first mixing unit is selected from the group consisting of a stirrer, a suction-and-discharge unit, a shaker and an ultrasound generator. 
     
     
         22 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the complex recovering unit and the liquid fraction recovering unit are each independently selected from the group consisting of a centrifuge, a filtration unit and a freeze-dryer. 
     
     
         23 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the metal recovering unit is an asher. 
     
     
         24 . The analysis apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the metal recovering unit is selected from the group consisting of a wet asher and a dry asher.