Kuwait University

College of Engineering and Petroleum

Civil Engineering Department

Environmental Engineering Laboratory

CE-213L

Experiment #4
Alkalinity
Conducted On: August 11, 2021

Monday/Wednesday Group

August 13, y

On my honor I pledge that this work of mine does not violate the University provisions on
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Signature: dalal, Maryam, Hessa, aljazi, Fatma
Abstract

The total alkalinity was measured of tap water sample. Alkalinity is measured volumetrically
by titrating. The result was (56) mg/L as CaCO3.

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Table of contents

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................i
Table of contents........................................................................................................................ii
List of Figures and Tables.........................................................................................................iii
Nomenclature.............................................................................................................................1
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Summary...........................................................................................................................................2
Sources..............................................................................................................................................2
Significance.......................................................................................................................................3
Impact................................................................................................................................................3
Objective:...................................................................................................................................4
Theoretical background:.............................................................................................................5
Experimental details:..................................................................................................................6
Material, specimen, and equipment:..................................................................................................6
Procedure:..........................................................................................................................................6
Results and Discussion:..............................................................................................................7
Results:..............................................................................................................................................7
Discussion:........................................................................................................................................7
Answers of Questions:.......................................................................................................................7
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................8
Acknowledgments:.....................................................................................................................9
References:.................................................................................................................................9
Appendix:...................................................................................................................................9
Grade of the report..................................................................................................................10

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List of Figures and Tables

Figure 1:Alkalinity titration curve………………………………………………………….….5

Table 1 alkalinity test data results..........................................................................................................7

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Nomenclature

V A : Volume of standardized acid used ml.

N A : Normality of acid used.

V S : volume of sample, ml

mL: Millie liter

mg: Millie gram

CaCO3: calcium carbonate

OH
−¿: ¿
Hydroxide

CO: Carbonate

HCO: bicarbonate

H 2 S O 4 : Sulfuric acid

[H]: activity of hydrogen ions.

[OH]: activity of hydroxide ions.
M: moles.
mL: milliliter.
L: liter.
mg/l: milli gram per liter.
H2O: water.
V: volume.
CO3: carbonic.
HCO3: bicarbonate.
H2CO3: carbonic acid.
N: normality.

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Introduction:
Summary
- Alkalinity: is a measure of water capacity to neutralize acids. The
alkalinity of water is due principally to salts of weak acids and strong
bases, and such substances act as buffers to resist a drop in pH resulting
from acid addition. Thus, a measure of the buffer capacity and in this
sense is used to a great extent in wastewater treatment practice.
- Acidity: is a quantitative expression of water's capacity to neutralize a
strong base to a designated pH.
- Phenolphthalein alkalinity: is determined by titration to a pH = 8.3 (the
phenolphthalein end point) and registers the total hydroxide (OH -) and
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one half the carbonate present ( 2 CO32-)

- Total alkalinity: is determined by titration to a pH of 4.5 depending on

the amount of carbon dioxide present. The total alkalinity includes the
total hydroxide (OH-) and all carbonate (CO32-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-).

Sources
Although many materials may contribute to water alkalinity of water, the major
part of the alkalinity in natural water is caused by three key classes of materials
that can be ranked in order of their association with high pH values are:
1. Hydroxide
2. Carbonate.
3. Bicarbonate.
Acidity is a quantitative expression of water's capacity to neutralize a strong
base to a designated pH.

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Significance

Alkalinity measurements are often used in a variety of ways in environmental

engineering practice.
1. Chemical coagulation
2. Water softening
3. Corrosion control
4. Buffer capacity
5. Industrial wastes

Impact

1. In large quantity, alkalinity imparts a bitter taste to water.

2. The resultant precipitate of the chemical rection can block pipes and
other water system.

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Objective:

To measure the total alkalinity of our sample of water (tap water) or wastewater.

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Theoretical background:

The goal of this experiment is to determine the total alkalinity of a tap water
sample. The pH of total alkalinity is normally between 4.5 and 8.3. The solution
is deemed to be fully alkaline in that range, and the alkalinity test can be used.
The region of total acidity begins at pH=4.5, which is the end point of total
alkalinity. Total acidity is a pH scale that spans from 0 to 4.5, and it measures
water's capacity to neutralize a strong base. The solution is said to be fully
acidic in such range, and the total alkalinity is zero.

 At pH of 4.5  total alkalinity exists

 Below a pH of 4.5  no alkalinity exists (total acidity)
 Between pH 4.5 and 8.3  only HCO3- exists
 Above pH 8.3  CO32- and HCO3- exist
 At pH of 8.3  half alkalinity exists

 Figure 1:Alkalinity titration curve.

Alkalinity can also be expressed as phenolphthalein alkalinity or total

alkalinity, both of which can be evaluated by titration with a standard sulfuric
acid solution to a pH of 4.5 for T-alkalinity and 8.3 for T-alkalinity,
respectively. The color change of a standard indicator that will be inserted in the
sample will serve as evidence of this endpoint. We'll look at total alkalinity in
this experiment, which is computed by multiplying VA, the volume of the
standardized acid used, by NA, the acid's normality, by 50,000, then dividing by
VS, the sample volume. This yields the total alkalinity of CaCO3 in mg/L.

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 V A × N A ×50,000
Total Alkalinity (mg/L) = Vs

Experimental details:

Material, specimen, and equipment:

 Specimen: Tap water.

 Method of determining alkalinity is volumetric by titration.
 Equipment:

a. Sulfuric acid solution 0.02N.

b. Sodium hydroxide solution 0.02N.
c. Mixed bromocresol green-methyl/red indicator.
d. Phenolphthalein indicator.

Procedure:

1. Transfer 50ml of sample to a conical flask.

2. Add the bromocresol green methyl /red indicator.
3. Titrate with the standardized H2SO4.
4. Stop titration when the color of the solution turns from green to light pink.
5. Record the volume H2SO4 used in the titration

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Results and Discussion:
Results:
Sample: tap water.

Group # 2
Initial reading 0
Final reading 2.8 ml
Volume of sample taken 50 ml

Volume of H2SO4, VA (final-initial) 2.8-0=2.8 ml

Normality NA 0.02 N
Volume of sample VS 50 ml
Table 1 alkalinity test data results

V A × N A ×50000 2.8× 0.02× 50000

Total alkalinity = VS
= 50
= 56 mg/L as CaCO3

Discussion:
Does not match.
Answers of Questions:
1. What are the major parts causing alkalinity in natural water and what the
chemical formulas of them?
 Bicarbonate (HCO3 -)
 Carbonate (CO3 2-)
 Hydroxide (OH -)

2. Determine the following of the test done in the lab:

a. End point: turns from green to light pink
b. Titrant: H2SO4
c. Indicator: bromcresol green methyl/red

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Conclusion:

In this experiment, the alkalinity of a tap water sample was measured

volumetrically by titration method. The total alkalinity was calculated to be
equal to 56 mg/L as CaCo3. By knowing the alkalinity of the water sample, the
water can be employed to it optimum industrial use in the future depending on
the features of the alkalinity range it belongs to.

Acknowledgments:

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 We would like to thank Eng. Latifa who helped us with the report and the
graph. Also, for her help throughout the experiment and understand the
material very well.

References:

 Marafie, M. Civil Engineering Environmental Lab Notes.

 https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp2254/pdf/section4b.pdf

Appendix:

Does not match

Grade of the report

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Abstract 2  

Table of contents 2

List of figures and tables 2

Nomenclature 2

Introduction  
Summary 2

Sources 2

Significance 2

Impacts 2

Objectives 2

Theoretical background 2

Experimental details

Materials, specimens & equipments 2

Procedure 3

Results and discussion details

Results 5
Answers of questions 10
Discussion 2
Conclusion 2

Acknowledgements 2

References 2

Appendix 2  

Grade of the report 50  

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