The sample to be tested is oxidized to
bivalent copper ion after high temperature and high-pressure reaction in the
presence of oxidant in different forms and valence states. Then the bivalent
copper is converted to cuprous ions by a reducing agent, and a color developer
is added, and the cuprous ions react with the color developer to produce a
stable yellow-brown complex. The complex has maximum absorption at a specific
wavelength, and the total copper content in the sample to be tested is
calculated by photoelectric colorimetry.