Assignment

Muhammad Safeer
Chemist

E-1205
pH Meter

Quality Control Laboratory

ENAR Petroleum Refining Facility- II
pH Meter Definition:
 A pH meter is a precise instrument that weighs the hydrogen-ion movement in
water-based suspensions, showing its acidity or alkalinity expressed as pH.
 It is also called a “potentiometric pH meter” because it measures the variation
in electrical potential between a pH electrode and a reference electrode.
 The variation in electrical potential links to the acidity or pH of the suspension.
 This meter is used for experimentation, quality control, etc.
 The word pH is acquired from “p,” the scientific figure for negative logarithm,
and “H,” the chemical symbol for Hydrogen.
 pH is a unit of measure that expresses the level of acidity or alkalinity of a
suspension. It is graded on a range of 0 to 14. pH = -log[H+]

pH Measurement:
 The pH rate of a material is directly linked to the degree of the hydrogen ion
[H+] and the hydroxyl ion [OH-] concentrations.
 The quantitative data rendered via the pH meter shows the ratio of the
movement of an acid or base in terms of hydrogen ion activity.
 If the H+ density is higher than OH-, the substance is acidic; i.e., the pH amount
is less than 7.
 If the OH- intensity is higher than H+, the substance is basic, including a pH
value higher than 7.
 If identical quantities of H+ and OH- ions are present, the substance is neutral,
with a pH of 7.

pH Meter Working Principle:

 A pH meter is made of a few vital components such as Measuring Electrode,
Reference Electrode, Temperature Sensor.
 The pH Meter estimates the voltage of an electrochemical cell and based upon
the Temperature Sensor defines the pH of a suspension.
 Most of the pH meters contain Combination Electrodes, in which the
electrodes and the Temperature Sensor are fabricated within a single frame.
 The algebraic total of the potentials of the Measuring Electrode, Reference
Electrode, and the Liquid Junction is known as the overall potential or the
voltage.

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  The Reference Electrode contains a neutral solution such as Potassium
Chloride solution with a fixed concentration. It gives a stable voltage.
 On the opposite, the potential of the Measuring Electrode depends totally
upon the pH of the suspension.
 The potential variation (voltage) between a glass membrane of Measuring
Electrode and a Reference Electrode which is immersed in the Sample Liquid to
be examined is estimated.
 When the two Electrodes are immersed into the Sample Suspension, the ion-
exchange process transpires wherein some of the Hydrogen ions flow towards
the outside surface of the Measuring Electrode and displace some of the metal
ions within it.
 Likewise, some of the metal ions migrate from the Glass Electrode toward the
Sample Suspension. The responsiveness of the Reference Electrode potential
to variation in pH is negligible or it is unaffected by variations in pH and
therefore produces a stable voltage.
 on-exchange processes additionally take place on the interior surface of the
Glass Electrode from the sample suspension.
 This generates a potential variation (Hydrogen- ion activity) among them. The
Liquid Junction potential is normally minute and almost constant which
essentially depends on the intensity of the ions in the sample suspension.
 Every three potentials are summed up and ranked by High Impedance
Voltmeter.
 The potential voltage generated beyond the Glass Electrode membrane is
temperature-dependent, by a temperature coefficient of around 0.3% per °C.
 The pH Meters hold provisions to improve the pH Measures as the
temperature changes and it is termed as Automatic Temperature
Compensation (ATC).
 The output of the Impedance Voltmeter is Voltage studies and it possesses to
be calibrated to prepare precise pH Measurement.
 Calibration is performed by immersing the Measuring Electrode into Buffer
Liquid of known pH which assists in understanding millivolt reading as pH
measurement of the Sample Suspension at the delivered temperature.

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Operating Procedure of pH Meter:
i. Turn on the pH meter by pressing the ON switch on the meter.
ii. Then wash the electrodes with distilled water.
iii. Maintain the sample’s temperature at 25 degrees centigrade.
iv. After that, immersed the electrodes within the sample and stir it to create a
homogenous sample. Make sure the tip of the electrode is completed dipped
into the sample.
v. Wait until the reading becomes stable.
vi. When the reading is stabilized record the pH and Temperature value.
vii. Finally, wash the electrodes with distilled water and store it with the buffer
solution.

Calibration of pH Meter:
To achieve highly accurate measures the pH meter must be calibrated before each
measurement. Also, calibration is executed once per day of work. Calibration is
required because the glass electrode does not provide reproducible electrostatic
potentials across longer periods of time.
i. First, make sure the correct measurement mode is selected in pH meter.
ii. Then wash the electrode with distilled water and don’t wipe the electrodes,
otherwise it will generate an electrostatic charge on the electrodes.
iii. All standards and samples are brought to 25-degree centigrade before use.
iv. Now immerse the electrodes within the standard buffer solution or calibration
solution (pH 7/pH 10). Make sure the endpoint of the electrodes is fully
immersed within the buffer solution. To create the homogenous sample, stir
the electrodes within the buffer.
v. Now enter in pH calibration mode by pressing the CAL/MEAS key. The CAL sign
will be displayed.
vi. The measured reading will be shown by the primary display whereas the pH
standard buffer solution reading is displayed by the smaller secondary screen.
vii. Wait until the pH values get stabilized.
viii. After stabilization confirm the calibration by pressing the HOLD/ENTER key.
ix. Now the pH meter is calibrated to the current buffer solution.
x. Finally, wash the electrodes with distilled water and placed it into the buffer
solution.

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Application of pH Meter:
 In agriculture industries, it is used to measure the pH of soil.
 It is also used to measure water quality for municipal water supplies,
swimming pools.
 In many chemical and pharmaceutical industries, it is used to measure the pH
value of solutions.
 pH Meter is additionally employed in the Food industry particularly for dairy
products like cheese, curds, yogurts, etc.
 It becomes a vital circumstance in the making of detergents.

Advantages of pH Meter:
 pH Calibration is low-priced and robust.
 Pocket size pH Meters are user friendly.
 Accounts are reliable and specific.

Disadvantages of pH Meter:
 Heat affects the output readings.
 pH Calibration utilizing glass electrodes need to be clean as deposition on the
electrodes influences the readings.

Precautions:
 Touch the electrode with responsibility- it is breakable!
 Store the electrode always in immersed condition within the solution approved
by the company or neutral solution of KCl (3M-4M).
 Always maintain the inner level of filling liquid beyond the level of measured
solution.
 Load electrode (the flowing type) by exact filling solution (as suggested by
manufacturer – normally KCl solution, 3M to saturated) to not let it dry inside.
 You may store the electrodes as dry if they are not used for a long period of
time to prevent aging. The Aging only happens when the electrode is moist.
Don’t do it with gel electrodes – certain must be put in a strong solution of KCl
only.
 If the electrodes are dried soak them at least 24 hours before using.

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  Clean the electrodes immediately when you are using a solution that contains
substances that able to plug the junction or stick to the glass bubble.
 Avoid immersing electrodes in solvents that can dissolve glass such as
hydrofluoric acid (or acidified fluoride solution), concentrated alkalis.
 Avoid immersing electrodes within a dehydrating solution such as ethanol,
sulfuric acid, etc.
 Avoid rub or wipe electrode bulb.
 Don’t clean the electrodes with organic solvents.

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