OFI Testing Equipment – 285-30 Instructions – Potassium Determination test Kit Page 1 of 3

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INSTRUCTIONS
POTASSIUM ION DETERMINATION TEST KIT
OFI Part No. 285-30

Titration Procedure

This procedure is used to measure the potassium ion concentration in mud filtrates at all levels and is particularly useful
for testing below 5000 milligrams per liter (Mg/L). Potassium ion is precipitated as the sodium tetraphenylborate
(STPB) solution. The unreacted STPB is then determined by titration with a quaternary ammonium salt (QAS),
hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, using bromophenol blue as an indicator. The end-point is a purple-blue to
light-blue color change. The potassium ion concentration in the sample is calculated by subtracting the amount of
unreacted STPB from the amount of STPB originally added to the sample.

Equipment
#140-56 Filter Paper, 12.5 cm, Whatman® Grade 1, 100/pkg
#153-16 Cylinder, Graduated, 25 ml x 2/10 ml, glass
#153-26 Titration Dish, Polyethylene
#153-28 Stirring Rod, Polyethylene
#153-30 Funnel, 3 inch, Polyethylene
#153-36 Pipette, 2 ml x 1/10 ml, glass
#153-38 Pipette, 5 ml x 1/10 ml, glass
#153-40 Pipette, 10 ml, 1/10 ml, glass
#153-51 Beaker, 250 ml, glass
#153-54 Flask, Volumetric, 100 ml, glass

Reagents:
#206-02 Distilled Water, 16 oz
#285-31 STPB (Sodium Tetraphenylborate) sol'n, 16 oz
#285-32 QAS sol'n (Quaternnary Ammonium Salt), 16 oz
#285-33 *Sodium Hydroxide sol'n, 5.0N (20%), 8 oz (UN1824)
#285-34 Bromophenol Blue Indicator sol'n, 2 oz

OFITE • 11302 Steeplecrest Dr. • Houston, TX 77065 USA • Phone (832) 320-7300 • http://www.ofite.com
Version 1.1
Date 04-24-03
OFI Testing Equipment – 285-30 Instructions – Potassium Determination test Kit Page 2 of 3

Procedure:
1. Using a pipette, place the proper amount of filtrate into a 100 ml Volumetric Flask using the table below to
determine the sample size.

Filtrate Volumes to Be Used At Various KCL Concentrations

Concentration Filtrate Volume
Range KCL K+ to use
(lb/bbl (mg/L) (ml)
0.2 - 1.3 250 - 2,000 10.0
1.3 - 2.7 2,000 - 4,000 5.0
2.7 - 6.7 4,000 - 10,000 2.0
6.7 - 13.5 10,000 - 20,000 1.0
13.5 - 33.7 20.000 - 50,000 1.0

2. With a 5 ml pipette, add 4 ml of Sodium Hydroxide, 5.0 N (20%) solution, and 25 ml STPB solution as
measured with a 25 ml graduate cylinder. Add enough distilled water to bring the fluid level to the 100 ml
mark.

3. Mix and allow the mixture to stand for ten minutes.

4. Using a funnel and grade 1filter paper, filter the mixture into a 250 ml beaker. If the filtrate is cloudy, the
solution must be re-filtered.

5. As measured with a 25 ml graduate cylinder, transfer 25 ml of the clear filtrate into the 250 ml beaker.

6. Add 10 to 15 drops of Bromophenol Blue indicator solution.

7. Immediately titrate with the QAS solution until the color changes from purple-blue to light blue.

8. Check the concentration of QAS solution versus the STPB solution at monthly intervals.

9. To determine the equivalent QAS:

A. Dilute 2 ml of the STPB solution in a titration dish
B. Add 50 ml of distilled water
C. Add 1 ml of 20% Sodium Hydroxide solution
D. Add 10 to 20 drops of the Bromophenol Blue indicator solution.
E. Titrate with the QAS solution until the color changes from purple-blue to light blue.
F. Calculate: Ratio of QAS to STPB = QAS, ml
2

OFITE • 11302 Steeplecrest Dr. • Houston, TX 77065 USA • Phone (832) 320-7300 • http://www.ofite.com
Version 1.1
Date 04-24-03
OFI Testing Equipment – 285-30 Instructions – Potassium Determination test Kit Page 3 of 3

If the ratio in the above formula is other than 4.0 ±0.5, calculate a correction factor to be used in the calculation of
milligrams per liter Potassium ion (K+)

Calculation:
K+ in filtrate, mg/L = 1000 (25 – QAS, ml)
filtrate, ml
If a correction factor (CF) is necessary, the following applies:

[
K+ in filtrate, mg/L = 1000 25 - QAS, ml x 4 ] ÷ mls filtrate
Ratio QAS to STPB

KCL in filtrate, lb/bbl = K ion in filtrate, mg/L

1500

Remarks

1. The above QAS to STPB ratio is to be kept around 4 to indicate that the QAS and STPB solutions were mixed
properly and are still fresh enough to run the test properly. Both chemicals have a rather sort shelf life once
mixed and need to be fresh in order to give reliable results.

2. Normal precautions should be taken when using these chemicals. Do not get any of the chemicals in the eyes or
the mouth.

OFITE • 11302 Steeplecrest Dr. • Houston, TX 77065 USA • Phone (832) 320-7300 • http://www.ofite.com
Version 1.1
Date 04-24-03