EXP.

NO: ------------ DATE: -------------------

DETERMINATION OF ALKALINITY IN WATER SAMPLES

Aim:
To determine the nature and extent of the Alkalinity present in the water sample A & B.
A solution of 0.1N hydrochloric acid is provided for the titration.

Principle:
The alkalinity of water is attributed to the presence of Hydroxide, Carbonate &
Bicarbonate ions. These can be estimated by a titration against a standard acid, using
phenolphthalein and methyl orange indicator successively. The determination is based on the
following reactions.

(i) [ OH- ] + [ H +] H 2O
(ii) [ CO32- ] + [H+] [ HCO3- ] P M

(iii) [ HCO3-] + [H+] H2O + CO2

TABLE-I
Results of titration to Hydroxide Carbonate Bicarbonate Nature of
Phenolphthalein(P) and OH- CO32- HCO3- Alkalinity
MethylOrange(M)
end point.
P=0
0 0 M Only HCO3-

P = 1/2M 0 2P 0 Only CO32-

P=M M 0 0 Only OH-

P > 1/2 M 2P- M 2(M – P) 0 OH- & CO32-

CO3-& HCO3-
P< 1/2 M 0 2P M-2P
The titration of water sample against a standard acid up to phenolphthalein end-point marks
the completion of reaction (i) and (ii) only. This amount of acid used thus corresponds to
hydroxide and one half of the normal carbonate present. On the other hand, titration of water
sample up to methyl orange end-point marks the completion of reaction (i), (ii) and (iii). Hence,
the amount of acid is used after the phenolphthalein end-point corresponds to one half of
normal carbonate and all the bicarbonates while the total amount of acid used represents the
total alkalinity.

The amount of OH-, CO32- and HCO3- present in the water sample may be calculated. The
alkalinities are expressed in ppm.

Note: The possibility of OH- and HCO3- existing together is ruled out because they combine with
each other to form CO32- .
OH- + HCO3- CO32- + H2O

Procedure:
Burette is filled with the standard hydrochloric acid. 20ml of water is pipetted out into a
clean conical flask. 2 drops of Phenolphthalein indicator is added. The solution turns pink. The
solution is titrated against the hydrochloric acid taken in the burette. The endpoint is the
disappearance of pink colour.
Two drops of methyl orange indicator is added into the same solution. The solution
turns yellow in colour. The solution is titrated against the same hydrochloric acid till it turns to
red colour. The total titre value is the methyl orange end point. The table given under principle
is used to find out the nature and extent of alkalinity.

Calculation:
Sample A: Determination of Phenolphthalein alkalinity

Volume of hydrochloric acid = -----ml

Strength of hydrochloric acid = 0.1 N
Volume of water sample = 20 ml
Strength of water sample = N2 = V1N2/V2 = (---- x 0.1) / 20 = --------N
Phenolphalein alkalinity = N2 x 50 x 1000 ppm

Sample A: Determination of Methyl orange alkalinity

Volume of hydrochloric acid = -----ml

Strength of hydrochloric acid = 0.1 N
Volume of water sample = 20 ml
Strength of water sample = N2 = V1N2/V2 = (---- x 0.1) / 20 = --------N
Methyl orange alkalinity = N2 x 50 x 1000 ppm
 Water sample Vs Hydrochloric acid
(Indicators: Phenolphthalein & Methyl orange)
Sample. Vol. of water Burette reading (ml)
No sample Initial Phenolphthalein Methyl orange
(ml) reading endpoint endpoint

(The hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate alkalinities are calculated using the table-I.)

Sample B: Determination of Phenolphalein alkalinity

Volume of hydrochloric acid = -----ml

Strength of hydrochloric acid = 0.1 N
Volume of water sample = 20 ml
Strength of water sample = N2 = V1N2/V2 = (---- x 0.1) / 20 = --------N
Phenolphalein alkalinity = N2 x 50 x 1000 ppm

Sample B: Determination of Methyl orange alkalinity

Volume of hydrochloric acid = -----ml

Strength of hydrochloric acid = 0.1 N
Volume of water sample = 20 ml
Strength of water sample = N2 = V1N2/V2 = (---- x 0.1) / 20 = --------N
Methyl orange alkalinity = N2 x 50 x 1000 ppm

(The hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate alkalinities are calculated using the table-I.)
Result:
ALKALINITIES Sample A Sample B
Methyl orange alkalinity

Phenolphthalein alkalinity

Hydroxide alkalinity

Carbonate alkalinity

Bicarbonate alkalinity