Experiment 8 - DETERMINATION OF THE TOTAL ALKALINE STRENGTH OF

PEARL ASH
VOLUMETRIC METHOD -NEUTRALIZATION PROCESS

CONCEPT

The analysis of pearl ash (technical K2CO3) is chosen to represent a typical

alkalimetric process. Many other substances which are alkaline can be analyzed by a process
essentially the same as that given here.

The sample is likely to contain from small to moderate amounts of impurities which
contribute to the total alkaline strength. The results are usually expressed as percentage of
potassium carbonate or potassium oxide.

REAGENTS

pearl ash (K2CO3) methyl orange indicator standard HCl solution

PROCEDURE

1. Weigh two samples of pearl ash ( 0.3 to 0.4 9 each) accurately in the analytical balance
into their respective properly labeled dry flasks.

2. Dissolve each sample in 75 mL distilled water. Add a drop of methyl orange indicator to
each solution.
3. Fill the acid buret with the standard HCl solution. Record IR. Titrate the solution until a
salmon pink color is obtained. Record FR.
4. Heat the solution gently to boiling and keep it boiling for 1 minute to expel CO2. If color
changes, complete the titration with more HCl until the end point color is again obtained.
Record the volume of the HCl used.
5. Repeat from Step 3 using the second sample.

6. Calculate the alkalinity % for the first and second trials in terms of % K2O and % K2CO3.
Calculate also their respective averages.

% K2O = NHCl x VHCl x g-meq wtK2O x 100

wt of sample

% K2CO3 = NHCl x VHCl x g-meq wtK2CO3 x 100

wt of sample

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Experiment 8 – DETERMINATION OF THE TOTAL ALKALINE STRENGTH OF
PEARL ASH
DATA AND ANSWER SHEET

Group Number ____________________________ Date _______/_______/_________

Course/Yr. & Sec. __________________________ Class Schedule _________________
Laboratory Instructor _______________________ Rating _______________________

SECOND BATCH 1. __________________________

2. __________________________
3. __________________________
4. __________________________

EXPERIMENTAL DATA
Trial 1 Trial 2

Wt of sample, K2CO3 _________ g __________ g

Final reading _________ mL __________ mL

Initial reading _________ mL __________ mL
Vol of HCl used _________ mL __________ mL

Std Conc of HCl __________ M

Percent Alkaline Strength

% K2O, experimental _________ % __________ %

Mean % K2O, experimental __________ %
% K2O, theoretical _________ %

% K2O = NHCl x VHCl x g-meq wtK2O x 100

wt of sample

% K2CO3, experimental _________ % __________ %

Mean % K2CO3, experimental __________ %
% K2CO3, theoretical _________ %

% K2CO3 = NHCl x VHCl x g-meq wtK2CO3 x 100

wt of sample

Percent Error

% Error K2O, experimental _________ % __________ %

Mean % Error K2O _________ %

% Error K2CO3, experimental _________ % __________ %

Mean % Error K2CO3 _________ %

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Reaction Involved

Calculations

QUESTIONS

1. What is the alkaline strength of the sample?

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2. In what terms can you express the alkaline strength of pearl ash?

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