Environmental Engineering Lab

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TIRUPATI

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LAB

GROUP :- 1
Date :- 26-03-2019

2019

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 Environmental Engineering Lab

AIM :- To determine the Alkalinity of given sample.

Connotation of experiment :-

Alkalinity is the measure of the basic constituents of water and is defined the capacity
of a solution to neutralize a standard acid. In natural water it is usually present as the carbonate and
bicarbonate salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.The Alkalinity parameter is
significant in diverse uses and treatments of natural waters and wastewaters.

Bicarbonates represent the major form of alkalinity since they are formed inconsiderable amounts
from the action of carbon dioxide upon basic materials in the soil.Under certain conditions
natural water may contain appreciable amount of carbon and hydroxide alkalinity.
Chemically treated water, particularly those produced in lime or limesoda ash softening of
water, contain carbonates and excess hydroxide. The alkalinity of many surface waters is primarily
a function of carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide content, it is taken as an indication of the
concentration of these constituents.

Apparatus required :-

 pH Meter
 Burette
 Pipette
 Measuring cylinders
 Conical flasks

Procedure :-

 Clean and dry all the apparatus.

 Fill the burette with the standard 0.02N H2SO4 up to the desired height.
 Transfer the given sample to conical flask after measuring 20 ml of the sample by the help of
graduated cylinder.
 Add 1- 2 drops of phenolphthalein (P) indicator and if the solution turns pink, titrate until the
color disappears. Note the burette reading (P).
 Add 1- 2 drops of methyl orange indicator to this same water sample and continue the
titration until the color changes from yellow to orange. Note the burette reading (T).

Note: If pink color does not appear after addition of Phenolphthalein indicator, continue
titration as explained earlier.

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Observations :-

S.NO VOLUME OF VOLUME OF 0.02N H2SO4

SAMPLE INITIAL PHENOLPHTHALEIN METHYL ORANGE
(ml) (ml) POINT (ml) (P) POINT (ml) (M)
1. 20 3.2 3.6 5.7

2. 20 5.7 6.1 8.1

Table for Sample No. 1

S.NO VOLUME OF VOLUME OF 0.02N H2SO4

SAMPLE INITIAL PHENOLPHTHALEIN METHYL ORANGE
(ml) (ml) POINT (ml) (P) POINT (ml) (M)
1. 20 9.0 9.1 10.5

2. 20 10.5 10.7 11.8

Table for Sample No. 3

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Calculations :-
Formula to be used :-

Phenolphthalein alkalinity as CaCO3 in mg/l = (V1*N of H2SO4* 50,000)/Vol. of sample.

Total alkalinity( M. Alk) as CaCO3 in mg/l = (V2*N of H2SO4* 50,000)/Vol. of sample.

Sample No. 1 :-

V1 (avg. of two trial) = 0.4 ml

V2 (avg. of two trial) = 2.45 ml
N of H2SO4 = 0.02 N
Vol. of sample = 20 ml

Phenolphthalein alkalinity as CaCO3 in mg/l = 0.4*0.02*50,000/20 = 20 mg/l

Total alkalinity( M. Alk) as CaCO3 in mg/l = 2.45*0.02*50,000/20 = 122.5 mg/l

Sample No. 2 :-

V1 (avg. of two trial) = 0.15 ml

V2 (avg. of two trial) = 1.4 ml
N of H2SO4 = 0.02 N
Vol. of sample = 20 ml

Phenolphthalein alkalinity as CaCO3 in mg/l = 0.15*0.02*50,000/20 = 7.5 mg/l

Total alkalinity( M. Alk) as CaCO3 in mg/l = 1.4*0.02*50,000/20 = 70 mg/l

Results :-
Sample No. 1 :-

V1 (avg. of two trial) = (P) = 0.4 ml

V2 (avg. of two trial) = (T) = 2.45 ml

Since, P < ½T ;

Phenolphthalein Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 20 mg/l

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 122.5 mg/l
(OH)- Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 0 mg/l
(CO3)2- Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 2*P = 0.8 mg/l
(HCO3)2- Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = T-2*P = 1.65 mg/l

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 Environmental Engineering Lab

Sample No. 2 :-

V1 (avg. of two trial) = (P) = 0.15 ml

V2 (avg. of two trial) = (T) = 1.4 ml

Since, P < ½T ;

Phenolphthalein Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 7.5 mg/l

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 70 mg/l
(OH)- Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 0 mg/l
(CO3)2- Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = 2*P = 0.3 mg/l
(HCO3)2- Alkalinity as CaCO3 (mg/L) = T-2*P = 1.1 mg/l

Inference :-

 Since alkalinity of sample 122.5 is mg/l and for sample 2 it is 70 mg/l which is
moderate.
 Thus it can be used as drinking water as the alkalinity range of fresh water range
from 20 mg/l to 200 mg/l.
 (CO3)2- and (HCO3)2- ion is mainly responsible for alkalinity.
 Due to only (CO3)2- and (HCO3)2- ion alkalinity has range of pH 8.3 to 14.

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