EXPERIMENT NO.

7
(TO BE PERFORMED BY THE GROUP OF 4-5 STUDENTS)

Name Of Experiment : Alkalinity.

Aim Of Experiment : To determine alkalinity of water and waste water sample.

Theory:

Alkalinity
The alkalinity of water is a measure of its capacity to neutralize acids. The alkalinity of
natural water is due to the salts of carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, silicates and phosphates along
with the hydroxyl ions in the free state. However the major portion of the alkalinity in natural waters is
caused by hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonates which may be ranked in order of their association with
high pH values. Alkalinity values provide guidance in applying proper doses of chemicals, in water and
waste water treatment processes, particularly in coagulation, softening and operational control of
anaerobic digestion.

Principle:
Alkalinity of sample can be estimated by titrating with standard sulfuric acid. Titration to pH 8.3 or
decolorxation of phenolphthalein indicator will indicate complete neutralization of OH and ’A of CO3 while to pH
4.5 or sharp change from yellow to orange of methyl orange indicator will indicate total alkalinity. ( complete
neutralization of OH, CO3 , HCO3).

Interferences :
Color, turbidity, iron, aluminum and residual chlorine are prime sources of interference.
Color and turbidity can be avoided using potentiometric titrations. Residual chlorine can be removed by
adding thiosulfate.

OBSERVATIN AND RESULTS :

Sample Volume of Phenolphthalein Methyl Orange

details Sample
Initial Final NaOH used Initial Final NaOH used
Burette Burette Burette Burette
Reading Reading Reading Reading
(ml) (ml) (ml) (ml) (ml) (ml) (ml)
Result:

Acidity of sample was found as follows :

Sr. NO. Sample Details Hydroxide Alkalinity Carbonate Bicarbonates

as (CaCO3) mg/l Alkalinity as Alkalinity as
(CaCO3) mg/l (CaCO3) mg/l
1.
2.
3.

Regents:

1. Standard H2S04 0.02N :-

Prepare 0.1 N H2S04 by diluting 3.0ml conc. H2S04 to 1000ml, standardize it against standard Na2CO3 0.1
N dilute appropriate vol. of H2S04 (approx. 0.1 )to 1000ml to obtain standard 0.02 N H2S04

2. Phenolphthalein indicator :
Dissolve 0.5 g in 500 mi 95% ethyl alcohol. Add 500 ml distilled water. Add dropwise 0.02 N
NaOH till faint pink color appears.
3. Methyl orange indicator:
Dissolve 0.5 g and dilute to 1000 ml with CO2 free distilled water.
Procedure:-
1. Take 25 or 50 ml sample in a conical flask and add 2-3 drops phenolphthalein indicator
2. If pink colour develops titrate with 0.02 N H2SO4 till it disappears or pH Is 8.3 Note the vol. Of H2SO4
required
3. Add 2-3 drops methyl orange to the same flask, and continue titration till pH comes down to 4.5 or yellow
color changes to orange
4. In case pink colour does not appear after addition of phenolphghalein continue as In 3 above.
5. Calculate Total (T), phenolphthalein (P) and methyl orange alkalinity as follows and express in mg /1 as
CaCO:

P- Alkalinity, mg/1 as CaCO3 = A x 1000/ml sample

T – Alkalinity , mg/1 as CaCO3 = B x 1000mg/ sample

In case H2S04 is not 0.02 N apply the following formula :

Alkalinity, mg/l as CaCO3 = A/B x N x 50000
………………….. ml sample
Where:
A= ml H2S04 required for sample to bring pH up to 8.3

B = ml H2S04 required for sample to bring pH up to 4.5

N = Normality H2S04 used

Once, the phenoiphthalein and total alkalinities are determine then three types of alkalinities i.e.
Hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate are easily, calculated from the given table :

Value of P & T OH- CO3 HCO-3

P=0 0 0 T
P<½T 0 2P T-2P
P= ½T 0 2P 0
P>½T 2P-T -T 2(P-T) 0
P=T T 0 0

One carbonate and bicarbonate alkalinities are known then their conversions to milligrams per
litre of CO3 of HCO3 are possible.
Mg/1 CO3 = mg/1 carbonate alk x 0.6

Mg/1 HCO3 = mg/1 bicarbonate alk x 1.22

From above, molar concentration may be obtained as follows:

CO3 = mg/1 CO3

60,000

HCO3 = Mg/1 HCO3

61,000