Environmental Chemistry (ENE-213)

Course Instructor: Dr. Sofia Baig

Lab Report-15
Determination of Solids in wastewater samples (TS, TSS, & TDS)

Submitted To: Engr. Muhammad Irfan

Submitted By: Group-01

Arafat Abdullah Rehman
Faras Ahmad Shahbaz
Muhammad Momin
Haniya Zainab Siddique

National University of Sciences &Technology (NUST)

School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (SCEE)
Institute of Environmental Sciences & Engineering (IESE)

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Contents
Title: Determination of solids in wastewater samples .......................................................... 3
Objective ................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Principle .................................................................................................................................... 3
Environmental Significance .................................................................................................... 4
Apparatus Used ........................................................................................................................ 4
Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 4
Readings & Calculations ......................................................................................................... 5
Precautions ............................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion: ............................................................................................................................... 6
References:................................................................................................................................ 7

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Title: Determination of Solids in waste water samples (TS, TSS, & TDS)

Objective:

The main objective of performing this experiment was the determination of solids i.e. total solids
(TS), total dissolved solids (TDS) & total suspended solids (TSS) in given wastewater sample
with the stipulations as per the Standard 'Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater" published by the American Public Health Association, Washington, USA. To learn
the basic concepts regarding solids presence in water sample and get some knowledge about its
environmental significance. We will be learning the theoretical terms regarding TS, TSS and
TDS along with their major applications. We will get an idea how to present and interpret the
results in a comprehensive manner.

Theory:

Total solids (TS) are a measurement often used in the water treatment industry that includes the
combination of total dissolved solids and total suspended solids in a liquid. Total solids are
composed of all the suspended, colloidal and dissolved solids in the sample. This mixture
includes any dissolved salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and solid particles such as silt and
plankton.
The term total suspended solids (TSS) can be referred to materials which are not dissolved in
water and are non-filterable in nature. It is defined as residue upon evaporation of non-filterable
sample on a filter paper. The term total dissolved solids (TDS) refers to materials that are
completely dissolved in water. These solids are filterable in nature. It is defined as residue upon
evaporation of filterable sample.

Sources:

Sources of total solids include industrial discharges, sewage, fertilizers, road runoff, and soil
erosion. Total solids are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Detergents, water softeners,
fertilizers, road salt, urban runoff, and animal and human waste all contain elevated
concentrations of dissolved solids that are delivered to groundwater by wastewater disposal,
septic systems, or direct application to the land surface. These are also measured in mg/L.
Suspended solids in a body of water are often due to natural causes. These natural solids
include organic materials such as algae, and inorganic materials such as silt and sediment. Some
algae, such as phytoplankton, are regular occurrences, especially in the ocean.

Principle:

 A well-mixed sample is filtered through a weighed standard glass fiber filter and the residue
retained on the filter is dried to a constant weight at 103-105 Degree Celsius. The increase
in weight of the filter represents the total suspended solids. If the suspended material clogs
the filter and prolongs filtration, the difference between the total solids and total dissolved
solids may provide an estimate of the total suspended solids.
 A well-mixed sample is filtered through a standard glass fiber filter, and the filtrate is
evaporated to dryness in a weighed dish and dried to constant weight at 179- 181 Degree
Celsius. The increase in dish weight represents the total dissolved solids.

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Environmental Significance:
As a student of environmental engineering, we must know environmental importance of
experiments that we are performing in chemistry lab;
1. Estimation of total dissolved solids is useful to determine whether the water is suitable for
drinking purpose, agriculture and industrial purpose.
2. Biologically active suspended solids may include disease causing organisms as well as
organisms such as toxic producing strains of algae.
3. Suspended solids determination is extremely valuable in the analysis of polluted waters.
Suspended solids exclude light, thus reducing the growth of oxygen producing plants.
4. Dissolved minerals, gases and organic constituents may produce aesthetically displeasing
color, taste and odor.

Apparatus Used:
Following is the list of apparatus and chemicals used for determining the concentration of
TSS, TS and TDS in water & wastewater sample;
 Evaporating Dish (China dish)
 Water Bath, Oven
 Desiccators
 Analytical Balance
 Measuring Cylinder
 Dish Tongs, crucible
 Gooch Crucibles
 Filter paper (glass fiber, 0.45 microns)
 Suction pump, forceps
 Filtration assembly

Procedure:
Testing of sample for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS);
 To measure total dissolved solids, take a clean porcelain dish which has been washed and
dried in a hot air oven at 180 C.
 Now weigh the empty evaporating dish in analytical balance
 Mix sample well and pour into a funnel with filter paper
 Using pipette transfer 20mL of unfiltered sample in the china dish.
 Switch on the oven and allowed to reach 105°C. Place it in the hot air oven and care should
be taken to prevent splattering of sample during evaporation or boiling.
 Cool the container in a desiccator. We should weigh the dish as soon as it has cooled to
avoid absorption of moisture due to its hygroscopic nature. Samples need to be measured
accurately, weighed carefully, and dried and cooled completely.
 Now, calculate the value of Total dissolved solids in mg/L by using Formula;

𝑾𝟐−𝑾𝟏 ×𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
TDS (mg/L) =
𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝑳

Testing of sample for Total suspended solids:

 Place filtration apparatus with weighed filter in filter flask.
 Mix sample well and pour into a graduated cylinder to the selected volume.
 Apply suction to filter flask and seat filter with a small amount of distilled water.
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  Pour selected volume into filtration apparatus.
 Draw sample through filter into filter flask.
 Rinse graduated cylinder into filtration apparatus with three successive 10 mL portions of
distilled water, allowing complete drainage between each rinsing.
 Continue suction for three minutes after filtration of final rinse is completed.
 Dry filter in an oven at 103-105°C for at least 1 hour.
 Now, properly calculate the value of TSS in sample used by using formula;

𝑾𝟐−𝑾𝟏 ×𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
TSS (mg/L) =
𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝑳

Readings and Calculations:

i. TSS Calculations:

Description Symbol Values and Readings

Weight of the clean filter paper (g) W1 0.093g

Weight of the filter paper and the residue (g) W2 0.210g
Weight of residue(g) W 0.117g
Volume of the Sample (mL) V 20 mL
Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) TSS 5850 mg/L

W1 = 0.093g
W2 = 0.210g
V = 20.0 mL
Weight of residue (g) W= W2 - W1 = 0.210 – 0.093
W= 0. 117g or 117 mg
TSS in (mg/L) = 117 mg x 1000 / 20 = 5850 mg/L

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ii. TDS Calculations:

Description Symbols Values and Readings

Weight of clean porcelain evaporating dish(g) W1 25.262g

Weight of the dish and the residue (g) W2 25.340g

Weight of residue(g) W 0.078g

Volume of the Sample (mL) V 20 mL

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) TDS 3900 mg/L

W1= 25.262g
W= 25.340g
V= 20 mL
Weight of residue (g) W= W2 - W1 = 25.340-25.262
W= 0. 078 g or 78 mg.
TDS in (mg/L) = 78 x 1000 / 20 = 3900 mg/L

iii. For Total solids:

W1 = 36.570g
W2 = 36.720g
W = W2-W1 = 0.15g or 150 mg
TS in mg/L = 150 x 1000 / 20 = 7500 mg/L

Precautions:
The following precautions should be observed while performing the experiment:
 Water or Wastewater samples which contain high concentrations of calcium, chloride,
magnesium or sulfate can rapidly absorb moisture from the air.
 We should be aware prolonged drying may result in loss of constituents, particularly nitrates
and chlorides.
 Samples with high concentrations or bicarbonate require additional drying at 180ºC to
ensure that all of the bicarbonate is converted to carbonate.
 Such samples may need to be dried for a longer period of time, cooled under proper
desiccation and weighed rapidly in order to achieve a reasonable constant weight.

Conclusion:
The worldwide standard values and common ranges for TSS, TS and TDS are;
• Fresh water < 1500 mg/L (Mixed liquor)
• Brackish water 1500 to 5000 mg/L (Waste sludge)
• Saline water > 5000 mg/L (Return or waste sludge)
Now, the values for the wastewater sample we tested in lab are; TSS (5850 mg/L), TDS (3900
mg/L) and TS (7500 mg/L) which shows us from the above mentioned values that this
wastewater sample will be termed as a “saline water sample” (return or waste sludge).

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References:

 https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-
quality/turbidity-total-suspended-solids-water-clarity/
 https://datastream.org/en/guide/total-suspended-solids-and-total-dissolved-solids
 https://www.whitman.edu/chemistry/edusolns_software/TSSBackground.pdf
 https://www.rshydro.co.uk/water-quality-monitoring-equipment/water-quality-
monitoring-parameters/tss-total-suspended-solids-water/