CVEG 3240 L
Lab 1, Solids Analysis
Fixed
Suspended
Solids
FSS
Volatile
Suspended
Solids
VSS
Volatile
Dissolved
Solids
VDS
Total Solids
1) Weigh ceramic cup (crucible) and record (label cup).
VS
FS
2) Repeat step 1 for control.
3) Measure 50 mL of the sample.
TS = SS + DS
SS = FSS + VSS
TS = FS + VS
DS = VDS + FDS
4) Pour sample into crucible.
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5) Place sample and control in 103 C oven overnight to dry.
6) Next day: After drying, weigh the crucible with the dry residue and the control and record.
Ignite
Procedure
Ignite
Introduction: Solids in water cause turbidity (cloudiness), are associated with bacteria and viruses, and
are an overall indicator of water quality. Turbidity can be a nuisance in lakes and streams, and the
buildup of solids (sediment) fills in harbors, channels, and reservoirs. The major goal in water treatment
is to remove solids and turbidity is the major control variable. In wastewater, solids concentration is one
of the major variables that is monitored and used to assess treatment.
Solids can be divided into suspended or dissolved and volatile or fixed. Filtering the sample
separates the suspended solids from the dissolved solids and igniting the solids separates the fixed solids
from the volatile solids. See diagram on right. Suspended
Total Solids
solids are larger, settle faster, and can be filtered out.
TS
Sometimes, the term “settleable solids” is used to indicate the
solids that will settle readily. Volatile solids are likely to be
Suspended
Dissolved
Solids
Solids
Filter
organic solids and can be biologically degraded.
SS
DS
Fixed
Dissolved
Solids
FDS
VS = VSS + VDS
FS = FSS + FDS
Suspended Solids
1) Weigh a filter in a pan and record (filter and pan together).
2) Repeat step 1 for control.
3) Measure 50 mL of the sample.
4) Place filter in filter holder. Turn on vacuum pump and wet the filter.
5) Pour sample into the filter apparatus.
6) After sample has passed, rinse the sides of the filter with DI water.
7) Remove the filter and place it in the pan.
8) Place sample and control in 103oC oven overnight to dry.
9) Next day: After drying, weigh the pan with the dry residue and the control and record.
Fixed Solids
1) Place the pans from the total solids test and the suspended solids test and the controls in the 550oC
oven for 15 minutes.
2) After drying is complete, weigh each pan and record.
Calculate:
a. Total solids
b. Total fixed solids
c. Total volatile solids
d. Suspended solids
e. Fixed suspended solids
f. Volatile suspended solids
g. Dissolved solids
h. Fixed dissolved solids
i. Volatile dissolved solids.
CVEG 3240 L Lab 1, Solids Analysis, Data Sheet (turn this sheet in with your lab report)
A. 1) Record the marking of the cup: __________.
2) Weight of the cup: __________.
3) Weight of the control cup: ___________.
4) Weight of the cup with residue after drying @ 103oC: __________.
5) Weight of the control cup after drying @ 103oC: __________.
6) Calculate Total Dry Solids, TDrS, which equals (4 – 2) – (5 - 3): __________.
B. 7) Record the number from the marked pan: __________.
8) Weight of the pan and a fiber filter: __________.
9) Weight of the pan and a fiber filter - control: __________.
10) Weight of the pan, filter, and residue after drying @ 103oC: __________.
11) Weight of the pan and filter after drying @ 103oC - control: __________.
12) Calculate Total Suspended Solids, TSS, which equals (10-8) – (11-9): __________.
C. 13) Weight of the sample cup from part A above after 15 min @ 550oC: _________.
14) Weight of the control cup from part A above after 15 min @ 550oC: _________.
15) Weight of the sample pan from part B above after 15 min @ 550oC: _________.
16) Weight of the control pan from part B above after 15 min @ 550oC: _________.
17) Calculate Total and Suspended Fixed solids: ________________
Total
Total
=
Volatile
+
_________________.
Fixed
TDrS
Total
Dry
Solids
2) TVS
Total
Volatile
Solids
3) TFS
Total
Fixed
Solids
4) TSS
Total
Suspended
Solids
5) VSS
Volatile
Suspended
Solids
6) FSS
Fixed
Suspended
Solids
7) TDS
Total
Dissolved
Solids
8) VDS
Volatile
Dissolved
Solids
9) FDS
Fixed
Dissolved
Solids
=
Suspended
+
Dissolved
Note: Values for 1, 3, 4, and 6 come from the lab experiment.
The remaining values must be calculated.
Note: report final answers as concentrations. i.e., units should be mg/L.