Determination of pH of the Solid Waste

AIM: To determine the pH of the solid waste sample using pH electrode.

MATERIALS REQUIRED: Buffer solutions of pH 4.0 and pH 7.0, beaker, pH meter,
distilled water, dried solid waste sample.
THEORY: The pH of solid waste is of much importance while disposing solid waste
anaerobically. The pH value of the digester content is an important indicator of the
performance and the stability of an anaerobic digester. In a well-balanced anaerobic digestion
process, almost all products of a metabolic stage are continuously converted into the next
breaking down product without any significant accumulation of intermediary products such
as different fatty acids which would cause a pH drop.
Many aspects of the complex microbial metabolism are greatly influenced by pH variations
in the digester. Although acceptable enzymatic activity of acid forming bacteria can occur at
pH 5.0, methanogenesis proceeds only at a high rate the pH is maintained in the neutral
range. Most anaerobic bacteria including methane forming bacteria function in a pH range Of
6.5 to 7.5, but optimally at a pH Of 6.8 to 7.6, and the rate of methane production may
decrease if the pH is lower than 6.3 or higher than 7.8.
PROCEDURE:
A) SAMPLE PREPARATION
1. 20 g of solid waste was weighed and transferred into 100 mL beaker.
2. 40 mL distilled water was added and stirred well with a glass rod.
3. This was allowed to stand for half an hour with intermittent stirring.
4. Collect the supernatant to measure the pH.
B) pH MEASUREMENT
I)

CALIBRATION OF ELECTRODE
1. Dip the combined electrode in a 7 pH buffer solution.
2. Set the TEMPERATURE C at to the temperature of the selected buffer
solution.
3. Set the function selector switch to pH position and adjust CALIBRATE
control until the meter displays the precise pH value of the buffer solution.
4. Now set the Function Selector Switch to STAND BY.
5. Remove the electrode from the buffer solution, wash with distilled water.
6. Dip the combined electrode into another buffer solution (say 4 pH value).
7. Set the TEMPERATURE C control to the buffer solution Temperature.
8. Set the Function Selector Switch to pH position. Adjust the "SLOPE"
Correction Controls until the meter displays the pH value of the selected
buffer solution, Check that the correct readings are obtained with both
solutions without further adjustment.

II)

pH MASUREMENTS

1. Dip the combined electrode in a suitable buffer solution.

2. Set the "TEMPERATURE C Control to the buffer solution Temperature.
3. Set the Function Selector Switch to the pH position and adjust the
CALIBRATE control until the meter displays the pH value of the buffer
solution.
4. Return the function Selector Switch to the STANDBY position. It is a good
practice to do this between measurements.
5. Remove the electrode from the buffer solutions wash with distilled water, and
immerse in the solution under test.
6. Set the TEMPERATURE C Control to the temperature of the test solution.
7. Set the function selector switch to the pH position. The meter wilt display pH
value
of
the
test
solution.

RESULTS: The pH of given samples

CONCLUSION: