UV-1100 Determination of Sulfate in Water - Master's thesis - Dissertation

Determination of Sulfate in Water

The sulfate content in water can be determined using a spectrophotometric method. This technique is widely used in environmental and industrial analysis to measure the concentration of sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻) in water samples. Key equipment includes a spectrophotometer, such as the V-1100 or V-1200 models, which are commonly used in laboratory settings. The process involves chemical precipitation, filtration, and colorimetric measurement.

The experimental procedure is as follows:

1. Take 50 mL of the water sample and place it in a 150 mL Erlenmeyer flask.
2. Add 1 mL of 2.5 mol/L hydrochloric acid and boil the mixture for 5 minutes to remove interfering substances.
3. After boiling, add 2.5 mL of bismuth chromate suspension and continue heating for another 5 minutes.
4. Allow the solution to cool slightly, then add 1+1 ammonia water dropwise until a yellow precipitate forms. Add two more drops and dilute the solution to 50 mL using a volumetric flask.
5. Filter the solution using dry, slow quantitative filter paper. Discard the first 5 mL of filtrate and collect the remaining filtrate in a 25 mL colorimetric tube.
6. Measure the absorbance at 420 nm using a 0.5 cm cuvette, with pure water as the reference.

Calculation:
SO₄²⁻: Sulfate concentration in the water sample, mg/L
M: Measured sulfate content in mg
V: Volume of the water sample in mL

This method is efficient and reliable for determining sulfate levels in various water sources, including surface water, groundwater, and wastewater. It is an essential technique for quality control in water treatment plants and environmental monitoring programs.

Keywords: Spectrophotometer; Sulfate in water; Analysis instrument; V-1100; V-1200; Environmental testing; Water quality analysis