Metrohm has advised the use of titration for accurate acid concentration analysis.
Throughout virtually all industries, ranging from food to steel, from microprocessors to chemicals and car manufacture, the concentration of acid during the various stages of the production process is of vital importance.
The acids used in all these industries differ in concentration, from a few per cent of acetic acid (vinegar) in mayonnaise or a high concentration of hydrofluoric acid in an etching operation.
It is easy to assume that the acid concentration can be derived from measuring the pH value, but this is not the case - the only accurate method is titration.
Using titration, the mV or pH value at the electrode is only a means to detect the equivalence potential, and from that the ml value of the consumed titrant coming from a burette (or precision pump).
Due to the steep shift in mV (pH) around the equivalence point, the accuracy of the value is less significant.
With refined titration methods carried out on the microprocessor, titrant volumes can be determined with an inaccuracy smaller than 0.05 per cent.
The 2016 Titrolyzer is recommended for single-steam and single-chemistry applications; for multiple streams and chemistries the 2040 Process Analyzer is indicated.
