Standard Operating Procedure for Total Acid Number (TAN)
(ASTM D974-2014)
Aim: To determine the Total Acid Number of the oil sample.
Requirements:
Chemicals: Toluene, iso-propyl alcohol (IPA), Distilled water, KOH, Phenolphthalein indicator, Ethanol,
Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate (KHP), Barium Hydroxide
Glassware: Burette(25ML) , Conical flask(250ML), Beaker(150 ml), Measuring cylinder(25ml
Instruments: Weight balance
Procedure:
1. Preparation of burette solution:
Weigh 0.140g of KOH pellets (M.W of KOH=56.11) and dissolved it in 25ml ethanol and allow it
to stand for a day or warm it for 30 minutes. This is the burette solution.
2. Standardization of KHP solution:
Step A.
i. Weigh 0.1 g of Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate(M.W of KHP=204.22)from the oven(i.e
anhydrous) and dissolve it in 60ml distilled water and then add 5-6 drops of
phenolphthalein indicator and titrate it against alcoholic KOH till color changes from
colorless to light pink.
ii. Take constant burette reading as (V)
Step B.
Blank Titration:
i. Take 60ml distilled water and titrate it against burette solution using phenolphthalein as
indicator till color changes from colorless to light pink.
ii. Note the constant down burette reading as (Vb)
3. Solvent making: 500ml toluene+495ml IPA+5ml water. Shake well
4. Sample Preparation:
Step A.
i. Weigh 0.5 g of the oil sample and add 15ml of solvent to dissolve it.
ii. Then add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator and titrate it against the alc.KOH till
the color changes from colorless to light pink
iii. Note the constant burette reading as A
Step B.
Blank Titration:
Now take 15 ml of solvent mixture (495 ml ipa + 500 ml toluene + 5ml dm water) in conical flask and find
the solvent blank reading(B) through about method
Calculations:
1. Calculation for Normality of alcoholic KOH:
N=( ℘ ×1000 ) ÷ [204.22 × ( V −Vb ) ]
Where,
Wp= Weight of Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate
V = volume of titrant used to titrate the salt to the specific end point
Vb =volume of titrant used to titrate the blank
N = Normality of Alcoholic KOH
204.22= molecular weight of the potassium acid phthalate in gm.
2. Calculation of Total Acid Number:
TAN = [ 56.1 xN ( A−B ) ] ÷ sample weight
Where TAN = Total acid number in mg KOH/g
A=KOH solution required for titration of the sample.
B= KOH solution required for titration of the blank
N = Normality of Alcoholic KOH
W= Weight of sample in gm
Result: Report calculated TAN in mg KOH/g
NOTE:
Precautions:
1. Take precautions against electrostatic charges. Keep away from naked flames/heat. Keep away
from ignition sources/sparks.
2. Keep container tightly closed.
3. Wash hands with mild soap before eating, drinking.
4. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
For personal safety: Safety glasses, gloves, protective clothing, and face shield.
Health hazards:
1. Long inhalation of the reagents may cause coughing, dry or sore throat.
2. In case of eye contact irritation of the eye tissue, and redness of the tissue.
3. In case of skin contact redness of the skin, skin turns dry, itching, cracking of the skin and rashes.
First aid measures:
1. If inhaled: Remove the victim into fresh air.
2. In case of skin contact: Rinse with water. Do not apply (chemical) neutralizing agents without
medical advice. Soap may be used.
3. In case of eye contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water.
