Total Chlorine (DPD)

DR 900 Analytical Procedure AP-35/900

SPECIFICATIONS
Method: Colorimetric (DR 900)
Range: 0.02 to 2.00 ppm as Cl2
Testing Time: 5 minutes

DESCRIPTION
Chlorine is such an effective biocide that most
cooling water microbio programs use chlorine
compounds to control their bacteria problems. The
success of these programs, however, is dependent
on maintaining the proper chlorine levels. This
usually requires accurate low level testing.
Chlorine can be present in water as free avail-
able chlorine and as combined available chlorine.
Both forms can exist in the same water and can be
determined together as the total available chlorine. Nalco DR 900 Colorimeter
Free chlorine is present as hypochlorous acid and/
or hyopchlorite ion. Combined chlorine exists as
monochloramine, dichloramine, nitrogen trichlo-
ride and other N-chloro derivatives. The combined REPLACEMENT PARTS AND REAGENTS
chlorine oxidizes iodide in the reagent to iodine.
Required Parts and Reagents
The iodine reacts with DPD (N, N-diethyl-p-phen-
ylenediamine) and any free chlorine present in the Description Size Part No.
sample to form a red color that is proportional to DPD-T Chlorine
the total chlorine concentration. To determine the Powder Pillows 10 mL (100/pkg) 460-S0461.87
concentration of combined chlorine, run a free chlo- Nalco DR 900 Colorimeter 400-P0900.88
rine test and subtract the results from the results of Sample cells, 10 -20-25 mL
the total chlorine test. w/cap, 6/pkg 500-P2555.88

Optional Parts and Reagents

ORDERING INFORMATION
Order all replacement parts and reagents by their Description Size Part No.
N/1 H2SO4 1.7 oz/50 mL 460-S0243.71
part numbers. To be sure this product is compatible
N/1 H2SO4 34.8 oz/1 L 460-S0243.75
with your treatment program, contact your local
N/1 H2SO4 1.06 gal/4 L 460-S0243.77
Nalco representative. Items marked with an *
are included with the kit or set. To place your
order, please contact your local customer service
department.
Description Part No.
pH (3-color) Test Strips (0-14 pH),
100/box 500-P3204.88
pH (3-color) Test Strips (5-10 pH),
100/box 500-P3207.88
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
specific reagent personal safety and disposal
information.
SUPPORT
If you have any questions regarding this procedure,
please contact your Nalco representative. In North
America you can also contact the Equipment Help
Desk at 630-305-CHEM.
SAMPLING
Avoid plastic containers since these may have a
large chlorine demand. Pretreat glass sample con-
tainers to remove any chlorine demand by soaking
in a dilute bleach solution (1 mL commercial bleach
to 1 liter of deionized water) for at least 1 hour.
Rinse thoroughly with deionized or distilled water.
If sample containers are rinsed thoroughly with de-
ionized or distilled water after use, only occasional
pretreatment is necessary.
Do not use the same sample containers for free and
total chlorine. If trace iodide from the total chlorine
reagent is carried over into the free chlorine deter-
mination, monochloramine will interfere. It is best
to use separate, dedicated sample containers for
free and total chlorine determinations.
A common error in testing for chlorine is
introduced when a representative sample is not
obtained. If sampling from a tap, let the water flow
for at least 5 minutes to ensure a representative
sample. Let the container overflow with the sample
several times, then cap the sample container so
there is not headspace (air) above the sample. If
sampling with a sample cell, rinse the cell several
times with the sample, then carefully fill to the
10-mL mark. Perform the analysis immediately.
INTERFERENCES
The following may interfere when present in con-
centrations exceeding those listed below.
1 mg/L = 1 ppm
Acidity (as CaCO3) 150 ppm. May not develop full color
or color may fade instantly.
Neutralize to pH 6-7 with 1 N
sodium hydroxide. Determine
amount to be added on separate
sample aliquot, then add the same
amount to the sample being tested.
Correct for volume addition.
Alkalinity (as CaCO3) 250 ppm. May not develop full color
or color may fade instantly. Neutral-
ize to pH 6-7 with 1 N sulfuric acid.
Determine amount to be added on
separate sample aliquot, then add
the same amount to the sample
being tested. Correct for volume
addition.
Bromine Interferes at all levels.
Chlorine Dioxide Interferes at all levels.
Chloramines, organic May interfere.
Hardness 1,000 ppm
( as CaCO3)
Iodine Interferes at all levels.
Manganese, Oxidized Interferes at all levels.
(Mn4+, Mn7+) or
Chromium, Oxidized
(Cr6+)
Ozone Interferes at all levels.
Peroxides May interfere.
Extreme sample pH Adjust to pH 6-7.
and highly buffered
samples
TOTAL CHLORINE (DPD) DR 900 PROCEDURE

Special Note: Samples must be analyzed immediately and cannot be preserved for later analysis.

Start Zero

1 2 3 4
Start Program Fill a sample cell with 10 mL Place the blank into the Press: ZERO
of sample (the blank). cell holder. Tightly cover
80 Chlorine F&T PP the sample cell with the The cursor will move to the
instrument cap. right, then the display will
show:
0.00 mg/L CI2

5 6
Fill a second cell with 10 mL
of sample.
Add the contents of one
DPD-T Chlorine Reagent
Powder Pillow (460-
S0461.87) to the sample
cell (the prepared sample).
Cap the sample cell and
swirl vigorously to dissolve
the powder.
7 8
Start TIMER 1 After the timer beeps, place
the prepared sample into
A three-minute reaction
the cell holder. Tightly cover
period will begin.
the sample cell with the
instrument cap.

Notes: A pink color will

develop if chlorine is
present.
Accuracy is not affected by
undissolved powder.
Shaking the cell dissipates
bubbles that may form
in samples containing
dissolved gases.
 Read

9
Press: READ
The cursor will move to
the right, then the result in
mg/L total chlorine will be
displayed.

Notes: If the sample

temporarily turns yellow
after reagent addition, or
the display flashes LIMIT,
dilute a fresh sample and
repeat the test. A slight
loss of chlorine may occur
because of the dilution.
Multiply the result by the
appropriate dilution factor.
This method can be used
to determine the free
bromine concentration in
water samples. Simply
multiply the test results
(as ppm Cl2) by 2.25
when performing bromine
tests. This calculation is
applicable only to systems
where no other oxidant is
present (i.e., Cl2 is 0).

Nalco, an Ecolab Company

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