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Suspended Solids Procedures
Suspended Solids Procedures
i. Preparation of the glass fibre filter disc: Insert the filter disc onto the base
and clamp on funnel. While vacuum is applied, wash the disc with three
(3) successive 20 mL distilled water. Remove all traces of water by
continuing to apply vacuum after water has passed through. Remove
funnel from base and place filter in the dish and dry in an oven at 103C -
105C for one (1) hour. When needed, remove dish from the oven,
desiccate and weight.
ii. Select a sample volume (max. of 200 mL) that will yield not more than
200 mg of total suspended solids.
iii. Place the filter on the base and clamp on funnel and apply vacuum. Wet
the filter with small volume of distilled water to seal the filter against the
base.
iv. Shake the samples vigorously and quantitatively transfer required volume
(mL) of samples to the filter using a large orifis, volumetric pipette.
Remove all traces of water by continuing to apply vacuum after samples
has passed through.
v. Rinse the pipette and funnel onto the filter with small volume of distilled
water. Remove all traces of water by continuing to apply vacuum after
samples has passed through.
vi. Carefully remove the disc filter from the base. Dry for at least one (1)
hour at 103C - 105C. Cool in a desiccator and weigh.
If volatile solids are to be measured, the residue from method A and B is ignited
at 500C 50C for 15 minutes in a muffle furnace. Cool in desiccator to balance
temperature and weigh. Repeat cycle of drying or igniting, cooling, desiccating,
and weighing until a constant weight change less than 4% of the previos weighing
or 0.5 mg, whichever is less. Store in desiccator until needed.