Automated Titration Simplifies Practical and Empirical Facets of Chemical Analysis

Titration is one of the oldest methods for content determination in chemistry, commonly used to ascertain an unknown component within a solution. This is achieved by monitoring the final reaction of a quantified reagent that has been introduced to the sample, using an indicator such as colour or pH.

Traditionally, titration, or volumetry as it is also known, is performed quickly and economically using basic laboratory apparatus such as a beaker, stirrer, glass burette and maybe a simple pH meter.

The actual test itself is not time consuming but when you consider the importance of measurement uncertainty and traceability and compare it to the overall time of an automated experiment, the advantages of the latest technologies on offer become obvious.

Instruments, such as Xylem's SI Analytics brand 7800 TitroLine® with IDS technology, not only take away the pain and potential errors caused by human interpretation of manual titration end points and subsequent empirical calculations but can also provide data security and auditability thanks to its innovative digital signal handling and sensor recognition.

TitroLine® instruments are ideal for water analysis using pH or conductivity as indicators and are perfect in the pharmaceutical industry where conformity with pharmacopeia and traceability in accordance with FDA Reg. 21 CFR Part11 is required. Reliability of titrations using the Karl Fischer method for water content is also improved when using automated titrators. The TitroLine® 7750 is Xylem’s comprehensive titrator capable of performing standard coulometric, potentiometric and Karl Fischer methods of analysis amongst others.

But of course, the big winners from automation are those laboratories that have a significant, routine throughput of samples to analyse including water quality labs, beverage audit labs and even large scale distilleries that need to regularly monitor acidity. Here Xylem’s offering includes a 74 channel xyz autosampler with sample dilution stage and TitroSoft® PC software to control the system and data.

Located in Mainz, Germany; Xylem’s SI Analytics’ heritage can be traced back through its former SCHOTT® Geräte name to the invention of glass electrodes in 1937 when SCHOTT® laid the foundation for the success of electrochemical measurement.

Since then, SI Analytics (formerly SCHOTT® Geräte) has continued to play a key role in ensuring that electrochemical analysis has become a reliable and indispensable process the world over; constantly evolving and leading by innovation.

SI Analytics’ electro-chemistry offering is now available directly from Xylem’s UK office in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, as well as a network of leading laboratory equipment suppliers throughout the country.