Titration in Industrial Processes
Experiment: Determination of Acidity/Alkalinity of Industrial Wastewater
Objective:To determine the concentration of acidic or alkaline substances in industrial wastewater samples using titration.
Materials:
- Industrial wastewater sample
- Sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH, 0.1 M)
- Hydrochloric acid solution (HCl, 0.1 M)
- Phenolphthalein indicator solution
- Methyl orange indicator solution
- Burette
- Erlenmeyer flask
- Pipette
- Beaker
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
Procedure:1. Preparation of Wastewater Sample:Collect a representative sample of industrial wastewater in a clean container. Dilute the sample with distilled water to a known volume (e.g., 100 mL) to reduce the concentration of contaminants.
2. Standardization of NaOH Solution:To ensure the accuracy of the titration, standardize the NaOH solution using a known concentration of HCl solution.
Pipette a known volume (e.g., 25 mL) of HCl solution into an Erlenmeyer flask.
Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution to the flask.
Fill a burette with NaOH solution and slowly add it to the HCl solution while swirling the flask continuously.
Observe the color change of the indicator. The endpoint is reached when the solution turns from colorless to a faint pink color.
Record the volume of NaOH solution used to reach the endpoint.
3. Titration of Wastewater Sample:Pipette a known volume (e.g., 25 mL) of the diluted wastewater sample into an Erlenmeyer flask.
Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator solution to the flask.
Fill a burette with standardized NaOH solution and slowly add it to the wastewater sample while swirling the flask continuously.
Observe the color change of the indicator. The endpoint is reached when the solution turns from colorless to a faint pink color.
Record the volume of NaOH solution used to reach the endpoint.
4. Calculation of Acidity/Alkalinity:a. For Acidic Samples:Acidity (as H2SO4) = (Molarity of NaOH × Volume of NaOH used) × 1000 / Volume of wastewater sample
b. For Alkaline Samples:Alkalinity (as CaCO3) = (Molarity of HCl × Volume of HCl used) × 1000 / Volume of wastewater sample
5. Interpretation of Results:The calculated acidity or alkalinity value indicates the concentration of acidic or alkaline substances in the industrial wastewater sample.
Significance:Titration in industrial processes is crucial for:
- Monitoring and controlling the quality of industrial wastewater before discharge into the environment.
- Optimizing industrial processes to minimize the generation of acidic or alkaline waste.
- Ensuring that industrial wastewater meets regulatory requirements and standards.
- Preventing environmental pollution and protecting water resources.
Safety Precautions:
- Wear safety goggles and gloves while handling chemicals.
- Handle concentrated acids and bases with caution.
- Dispose of chemicals and wastewater properly according to local regulations.