Exp No: S3/CH2301/07

DETERMINATION OF RESIDUAL CHLORINE IN WATER

INSTRUCTOR NAME NAME : U.H.H.D.S. DE SILVA

MRS. GDS PERERA SERIAL NUMBER : 005
FIELD : CHEMICAL
GROUP MEMBERS
GROUP :1
1. H.M. ATHEEB DATE:
2. A.G.M.M. BANDARA PERFORMANCE : 08/10/2021
3. P.G.S. BANDARA SUBMISSION : 30/10/2021
4. D.Y.U. DASANAYAKA
5. U.H.H.D.S. DE SILVA
6. D.M.A.B. DISSANAYAKA
7. D.M.T.D. DISSANAYAKE
8. K. DIYAKARAN
9. D.M. EDIRISINGHE
10. K.N.R. FERNANDO
11. H.P. GAMAGE
12. S.H. GAWDER
INTRODUCTION

Chlorine is usually added to the water in gaseous from or as Calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2) or Sodium
Hypochlorite (NaOCl). When chlorine added to the water, some of the chlorine reacts first with organic
materials and metals in the water and is not available for disinfection (this is called the chlorine demand
of the water) The remaining chlorine concentration after the chlorine demand is counted for is called
total chlorine. Total chlorine is further divided into

I. The amount of chlorine that has reacted with nitrates and is unavailable for disinfection, which
is called combined chlorine and,
II. The free chlorine, which is the chlorine available to inactive disease-causing organisms, and
thus a measure to determine the portability of water.

Residual chlorine determination is important to avoid bad odor and change in the taste of water and it
is determined in the swimming pool to avoid ill effects.

THEORY

Chlorine will liberate free iodine from Potassium iodide (KI) solution at pH 8 or less. The liberated iodine
is titrated with a standard solution of sodium thiosulphate solution (Na 2S2O3) with starch as the
indicator. This method is based on reaction with thiosulphate solution. This end point of the reaction
is indicated by disappearance of the blue colored, starch-iodide complex. This method is generally used
for chlorine testing at levels above 1 mg/L Cl2

Reaction:

ClO− + 2I− + 2H+ I2 + Cl− + H2O

2𝑆2 𝑂3−2 + I2 2I− + 𝑆4 𝑂6−2

APPARATUS

 Burette and burette stand

 Titration flasks
 1ml pipette
 250ml measuring cylinder
 Distilled water
 Stirring rod
 Acetic acid (Conc)
 Iodine solution 0.10M
 Sodium Thiosulphate 0.10M
 Starch indicator
 Weighing dish
 Spatula
 Potassium iodide
PROCEDURE

1. The burette was rinsed with Na2S2O3 and the burette was filled with Na2S2O3.
2. 100ml of the water sample was measured out, into a titration task.
3. 1 ml acetic acid was added to acidify the sample. It was used to reduce the pH between 3 and 4 in
the titration flask.
4. 1g of Potassium iodide (KI) which was measured using spatula, was added and it was dissolved by
thoroughly mixing it with stirring rod.
5. The titration was performed quickly since iodine liberate faster.
6. The solution was titrated with standard Na2S2O3 solution until the yellow color of liberated iodine
was almost faded out. (Pale yellow color)
7. 1 ml of starch solution was added, and the titration was continued until the blue color disappeared.
8. The burette reading was noted down.
9. 100 ml of distilled water was measured out, into a titration flask.
10. 1ml of acetic acid, 1kg of KI and 1ml of starch solution were added. Blank titration was performed
as in (a) or (b) below whichever applied.
(a) If blue color developed, it was titrated with 0.10 M Na2S2O3 to disappearance of blue color
and the result was recorded. The value of VB was negative.
(b) If no blue color occurred, it was titrated with 0.10 M iodine solution until blue color appeared.
It was titrated with 0.10 M Na2S2O3 again and the difference was recorded. The value of VB
was positive.

OBSERVATION

Na2S2O3 Volume (ml)

Water Sample
Blank Sample
Trial 01 Trial 02
4.3 4.2 0
CALCULATIONS

𝐶𝑁𝑎2𝑆2𝑂3 × (𝑉1 ±𝑉𝐵) × 𝑀𝐶𝑙2 × 1000

Residual chlorine (mg/L) = 𝑉 ×2

Where,

CNa2S2O3 - Concentration of Titrant - 0.1 M

4.3+4.2
V1 - Required mean volume of Titrant - = 4.25 ml
2

VB - Titrant consumption of the blank determination - 0

MCl2 - Molecular weight of the chlorine - 70.9 g/mole

1000 - Conversion factor from mg/mL to mg/L - 1000

V - Taken volume to conduct titration - 100 ml

0.1 𝑀 × (4.25 𝑚𝑙 ± 0)× 70.9 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 × 1000

Residual chlorine (mg/L) = 100 𝑚𝑙 ×2

= 150.6625

RESULT

Residual chlorine of the water = 150.6625 mg/l

CONCLUTION

This is an experiment about the determination of residual chlorine of water. The value we got for the
residual chlorine is 150.6625 mg/l in this experiment. Some experimental errors can be occurred during
the experiment. Because of that the final result will be slightly flawed. By suggesting some
improvements for the practical we can get a result with more accuracy.
DISCUSSION

This experiment is performed to determine the residual chlorine in water. Determination of residual
chorine is important to avoid bad odor and change in the taste of water. Moreover, it is determined in
the swimming pools to avoid ill effects.

When we talk about the importance of testing residual chlorine, it is very important in lot of industries.
Testing for residual chlorine is one of the most important tests used by water treatment plants.
Through the residual chlorine test, the remaining chlorine amount is determined in water that has
finished testing and is ready to be released in the distribution system. Maintenance of a chlorine
residual in the distribution system is intended to provide a persistent disinfectant in order to protect
the water from microbiological re-contamination, reduce bacterial re-growth and biofilm formation.
As I mentioned earlier, ensuring the presence of a chlorine residual in the distribution system is very
important because it is directly affected to the public health protection.

Now we will look at the importance of chlorine in water. Chlorination of water is most common in
water treatment plants. Drinking water chlorination is the addition of chlorine to drinking water
systems. It is the most common type of drinking water disinfection. Disinfection kills bacteria, viruses,
and other microorganisms that cause disease and immediate illness.

Within the disinfection process, efficiency is influenced by some factors such as,
 The type of chemical used for chlorination
 The contact time
 The initial mixing of chlorine into the water
 The location of chlorination
 The concentration or dosage of chlorine
 Number and Location of Microorganisms
 Innate Resistance of Microorganisms

The factors which are mentioned above are affecting the disinfection efficiency of chlorine. For an
example different types of chemical used for chlorination such as Calcium Hypochlorite (Ca (OCl) 2),
Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) etc... Thus the chlorination process by different chemicals is different.
Because of that the type of chemical used for chlorination is directly affected to the disinfection
efficiency.
Moreover the contact time of chemicals with water is affected to the efficiency of disinfection. If the
contact time is higher, the disinfection efficiency is increased. Not only the contact time, but the
concentration or dosage of chlorine is also affected to the efficiency of disinfection. There is a
prescribed chlorine dosage for chlorination. It is not advisable to apply more or less chlorine than that
dosage. There are safe levels of chlorine in drinking water. Chlorine levels up to 4 milligrams per liter
(mg/L or 4 parts per million (ppm)) are considered safe in drinking water. At this level, harmful health
effects are unlikely to occur. Therefore the concentration or dosage of chlorine is directly affected to
the efficiency of disinfection.

Some errors will be occurred while performing this test. Due to these errors, the value we will received
for the residual chlorine of the water may be slightly flawed.

There will be some errors in the readings at the interface during titration. As soon as the colour change
began to occur, the burette had to close, but it will be a little bit difficult because of the unfamiliarity
of the equipment.

Due to such practical errors the final results of the test will be erroneous. We can take some action to
reduce the erroneousness of the final answer. For example we can get the average value of readings
that have the same titration repeated several times.

Also, in order to increase the accuracy of the test, the readings should be taken at eye level. In addition
shaking the flask well during titration can accurately identify the moment of colour change.

In addition, the burette should be tested so that its liquid level does not fall below the 50 ml mark. This
is because the volume of liquid added to the flask after that mark cannot be measured.

By following the above improvements, the errors in the experiment can be reduced.
REFERENCES
Water Disinfection with Chlorine and Chloramine | Public Water Systems | Drinking Water | Healthy Water | CDC

Drinking Water Chlorination Fact Sheet - EH: Minnesota Department of Health (state.mn.us)

Disinfection Efficiency - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Efficacy | Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines | Guidelines Library | Infection Control | CDC