You are on page 1of 4

EXPERIMENT 2: TOTAL SOLIDS (TS)

PRINCIPLE
A well-mixed sample was evaporated in a weighed dish and dried to constant
weight in an oven at 103 C to 105 C. The increase in weight over that of
the empty dish represents the total solids. The results may not represent the
weight of actual dissolved and suspended solids in wastewater samples.

INSTRUMENTS / APPARATUS
Porcelain crucibles, 5 cm diameter (or evaporating dish, 75 mL)
Measuring cylinder, 5 mL
Pipette, 10 mL
Steam bath preheated to 100 C
Oven preheated to 103 C to 105 C
Desiccator
Analytical balance
Tongs / forcep
Cotton gloves

PROCEDURE
1. The water sample was shaked thoroughly to homogenize it.
2. 5 mL of sample was pipetted into the weighed porcelain crucibles or
evaporating dish, which has been cleaned and dried to constant weight
in an oven previously.
3. The water was evaporated off on a steam bath until dried and then
dried it in an oven at 105 C for 1 hour.
4. Before weighed it, the porcelain crucibles was cooled or evaporated
dish in a desiccator (dried was repeated until constant weight
obtained).

EXPERIMENT 3: TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS)


PRINCIPLE
A well-mixed measured sample was filtered through a weighed standard
glass-fiber filter and the residue retained on the filter was dried to a constant
weight at 103 C to 105 C. The increase in weight of the filter represents the
total suspended solids. If the suspended material clogs the filter and
prolongs filtration, it may be necessary to increase the diameter of the filter
or decrease the sample volume.

INSTRUMENTS / APPARATUS
Glass fibre filter disk, 9 cm predry in the oven (or medium coarse filter
paper)
Measuring cylinder, 100 mL
Pipette, 10 mL
Analytical balance
Oven preheated to 103 C to 105 C
Desiccator
Buchner flask and funnel
Vacuum pump
Aluminium foil
Cotton gloves
Pincers

PROCEDURE
1. The filter disk was dried in the oven at 103 C and 105 C for 1 hour
(paper filter in a weighing glass was dried for 2 hours), cooled in a
desiccator and weighed.
2. 10 mL of water sample was pipetted (mixed to ensure to homogeneity)
onto centre of disk in a Buchner flask, by used gentle suction (under
vacuum).

3. The disk was washed carefully with 10 mL of distilled water, the disk
was dried at 103 C to 105 C for 1 hour, and was cooled in a
desiccator before weighed.
*Dried was repeated until constant weight obtained. Disk can be
placed on a piece of aluminium foil to avoid loss of suspended solids to
air movement.
EXPERIMENT 4: VOLATILE SUSPENDED SOLIDS (VSS)
PRINCIPLE
Volatile suspended solids (SS) represent the weight of insoluble in SS that are
combustible at 550 C. This test is useful for obtaining an approximation of
the amount of insoluble organic matter present in the water sample.

INSTRUMENTS / APPARATUS
Muffle furnace preheated to 550 C
Desiccator
Analytical balance
Aluminium foil
Pincers

PROCEDURE
1. The SS from Experiment 3 was wrapped with aluminium foil and ignited
it at 550 C in the muffle furnace for half an hour. The laboratory
assistant was helped to operate the furnace.
2. Cooled in a desiccator and weighed. Repeat till a constant weight was
obtained.

EXPERIMENT 7 & 8
NITROGEN, AMMONIA

RESULT:
Samples

Reading instrument (mg/L)

Pump oil wastewater sample

1.31

Deionized water

0.00

Standard solution (ammonia


nitrogen reagent)

1.10

You might also like