Abstract
The aim of this paper is to determinate the total organic matter content of grinding sludges by a simple and fast methodology based on a solvent extraction followed by a UV spectrophotometry analysis. Several UV spectra exploitation methods are used. The multiwavelength deconvolution procedure provides quantitative results in good accordance with those obtained by a gravimetric method, possibly underestimated and enables a separate quantification of the cuttings fluids and the lubricants in the sludges. The normalisation procedure and the search of isobestic points provide important qualitative information on the evolution and on the composition of the oils used in metal processing. Therefore, this study is a first step for the development of a tool for the characterisation of organic matter in grinding sludges