DETERMINATION OF FREE CARBON DIOXIDE IN WATER

Exp. No:- Date:-

AIM: -

To determine the free carbon dioxide in given sample of water.

APPARATUS: -

Burette, pipette, Erlenmeyer flask, and beakers.

REAGENTS:-

O.02 N Na2CO3, Phenolphthalein indicator

GENERAL: -

Varying amounts of CO2 are present in water. CO2 can be picked up from the atmosphere or it is
generated at the bottom of the lake due to decay of organic matter. Rivers receiving acid water may
also show high CO2 content. CO2 content of water contributes of corrosion and imparts unacceptable
taste to water.

PRINCIPLE:-

Free carbon dioxide is determined by titrating the sample water with 0.02 N Na2CO3 solution using
Phenolphthalein indicator. The carbon dioxide reacts with Na2 CO3 to form HCO3-

Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O 2 Na H CO3

The end point is appearance of pink colour for at least 30 seconds

PROCEDURE: -

Rinsed and filled the burette with 0.02 N Na2CO3 solution. A 100 ml of the given sample was taken
into a conical flask. In order to minimise the loss of CO2 due to air bubbling, special precaution was
taken during sampling.

Added 2 or 3 drops of Phenolphthalein indicator into sample. The sample in the conical flask was
titrated with the standard 0.02 N Na2CO3 solution from burette till the pink colour persists for at
least 30 seconds. The volume (V1) of titrant used was noted. Repeat for concordant value.

RESULT: -

The amount of free carbon dioxide present in water sample = mg/l

OBSERVATION:-

Burette reading
Initial Final
Volume of titrant
Trial used
No. Vol. of sample (V.ml) (V1 ml)

CALCULATIONS:-

Normality of titrant solution (Na2CO3), N = 0.02

Volume of sample V = ml

Volume of titrant used VI = ml

𝑉1𝑋 0.02𝑋 22𝑋 1000

Strength of Carbon dioxide in given sample of water =
𝑉
mg/l