Experiment No.

Name of the Practical: Determine TS, TSS, TDS and settleable solids in domestic
sewage also calculate inorganic and organic portions.
Objectives:

❖ Estimation of total, dissolved, suspended and volatile solids along with settleable & non-
settleable biomass in given wastewater sample.

❖ To determine the inorganic and organic portions in given wastewater sample.

Theoretical Concepts:

➢ Solids analysis provides fundamental values that is used for the control of the waste water treatment process
and for the regulation of wastewater discharges. Gravimetric analysis is based on the determination of
constituents or categories of materials by measurement of their weight.

➢ The experiment illustrates the principles of weighing and demonstrates separation and categorization
techniques used to define the various types of solids in wastewaters. These techniques involve three analytic
operations in addition to weighing: Filtration, evaporation, and combustion.

➢ Filtration is used to separate suspended or particulate (non filterable) fraction from dissolved or soluble
(filterable) fractions. Evaporation separates water from material dissolved in it while the combustion
differentiates between the organic and inorganic matter. Organic matter will be volatilized completely by
combustion at 550oC for 30 min. or till constant weight.
Total Solids: Is the term applied to the material residue left in the vessel after evaporation
of a sample and its subsequent drying in an oven at a defined temperature. Total solids(TS)
includes total suspended solids(TSS) i.e. the portion of total solids retained by a filter, and
total dissolved solids(TDS) i.e. the portion that passes through the filter. Residues dried at
180 ± 2°C will lose almost all mechanically occluded water. Some water of crystallization
may remain, especially if sulfates are present. In general, evaporating and drying water
samples at 180°C yields values for dissolved solids.

Total Dissolved Solids: Solids which are dissolved in the water and would pass through a
filter of 2.0 μm (or smaller) nominal pore size under specified conditions. Dissolved solids
are measured by passing the sample water through a filter, then drying the water which
passes through. The solids remaining in filtered water is dried that represents the dissolved
solids.
Suspended Solids: Solids which are suspended in the water and would be
caught by a filter. Suspended solids are measured by passing sample water
through a filter. The solids caught by the filter, once dried, are the suspended
solids. Suspended solids can include but are not limited to silt and clay
particles, decaying plant and animal matter, industrial waste and sewage.

Settleable Solids: Suspended solids which would settle out of the water if given
enough time. Settleable solids are measured by allowing the sample water to settle
for fifteen minutes, then by recording the volume of solids which have settled to the
bottom of the sample.

Non-Settleable Solids: Suspended solids which are too small and light to settle out
of the water, also known as colloidal solids. Non-settleable solids are measured by
subtracting the amount of settleable solids from the amount of suspended solids.
Apparatus Required:
 Procedure:
1. TS: A well-mixed sample (25ml) is evaporated in a pre-weighed empty dish and dried to constant weight in an
oven at 103 to 105°C. The increase in weight over that of the empty dish represents the TS.

2. TDS: A well-mixed sample (25ml) 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 180°C.

3. TSS: A well-mixed sample (25ml) is filtered through a weighed standard glass-fiber filter and the residue
retained on the filter is dried to a constant weight at 103 to 105°C. The increase in weight of the filter represents
the total suspended solids.

4. Total volatile solids (TVS): The residue from TS is ignited to constant weight at 550°C, the weight lost on
ignition is the TVS.

5. Settable solids & non-settleable SS: Gravimetric method: a) Determine TSS as described above.

b) Pour a well-mixed sample into a glass vessel (of 9 cm dia. & 1 L) and sufficient sample to give a depth of 20
cm. Alternatively use a glass vessel of greater diameter and a larger volume of sample. Let stand quiescent for 1 h
and, without disturbing the settled or floating material, siphon 250 mL from center of container at a point halfway
between the surface of the settled material and the liquid surface. Determine TSS (mg/l) of this supernatant liquor.
These are the non-settleable solids.
180 oC
550 oC for 30 mins
Observations:
 Calculations:

1. Total Solids :

Where:

A = weight of dried residue + dish, mg, & B = weight of empty dish, mg

2. Total Dissolved Solids :

Where:

A = weight of dried residue + dish, mg, & B = weight of dish, mg

3. Total Suspended Solids :

Where:

A = weight of filter + dried residue, mg, & B = weight of filter, mg

4. Total Volatile Solids :

Where:

A = dried weight of residue + dish before ignition, mg, & B = weight of residue + dish after ignition, mg,

5. For Settable solids & non-settleable SS :

mg settleable solids/L = mg TSS/L - mg non settleable solids (TSS of supernatant liquor)/L

 Results & Discussion:

1. The TS of the given wastewater sample is ………. mg/L

2. The TDS of the given wastewater sample is ………. mg/L
3. The TSS of the given wastewater sample is ………. mg/L
4. The TVS of the given wastewater sample is ………. mg/L
5. The organic portion in the given wastewater sample is ……….%
6. The inorganic portion in the given wastewater sample is ………..%
 Environmental Significance

➢ Total suspended solids (TSS) is a major parameter used to evaluate the quality & strength
of domestic wastewater and to determine the efficiency of treatment unit. It cuts down the
light transmission through the water and lowers the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic flora.

➢ A high content of total dissolved solids (TDS) elevates the density of water, influences
osmo-regulation of freshwater organisms, reduces solubility of gases (like oxygen) and
also reduces utility of water for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes
Video Link for Demonstration:

➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBYop48A4gM TS

➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSe_Deo-_0 TSS

➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RL5sDako0 TDS

➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmBSlVLH2ng TS & TVS