Six crucibles were prepared for the preliminary constant weighing process.

In order to
generate accurate results, the crucibles were cleaned with distilled water to ensure that they
are free of residue from prior usage. The researchers also ensured that the inside of the crucible
is not touched nor disturbed to prevent any impurities from adhering to the crucible walls. After
rinsing, the crucibles were air dried instead of using tissue paper to prevent tissue residue from
contaminating the inside of the crucible. Each crucible’s underside were appropriately labelled
as MB2-1, MB2-2, MB2-3, MB2-4, MB2-5, and MB2-6 using a black-inked pen for easier
identification. Consequently, three pieces of filter paper were prepared for the process. A
makeshift paper container was made for each filter paper in order to isolate them from external
factors such as dust particulates. Each paper container was properly labelled as MB2-1, MB2-2,
and MB2-3 for identification purposes.

Heating process followed after the preliminary preparations were complete. Crucibles
MB2-1, MB2-2, and MB2-3 together with filter papers MB2-1, MB2-2, and MB2-3 were placed in
an orderly fashion inside Oven 1. The oven was set to heat at a consant temperature of 104C
for one hour. Note that the oven temperature did not automatically start at 104C, and continued
to rise until it has reached its stabilized temperature. Hence, the one-hour timer only
commenced when the oven temperature has finally reached a temperature of 104C. After an
hour of heating, the oven was turned off, and the heated items were allowed to slightly cool off
inside the oven to prevent the researchers from being exposed to extremely hot temperatures.
Meanwhile, crucibles MB2-4, MB2-5, and MB2-6 were placed inside Oven 2, and were heated
at a constant temperature of 180C for one hour. The same procedures done for the first set of
crucibles were followed. [1]

After cooling off the crucibles and filter papers for about a minute, they were removed
from the oven and transferred to a dessicator. The crucibles and filter papers were allowed to
cool down for thirty to sixty minutes depending on whether the items have already reached room
temperature. Once the crucibles and filter papers have already reached room temperature, the
constant weighing process began. [2]

For a systematic weighing process to occur, the selected class representatives (CP)
assigned two members in-charge of opening and closing the Dessicator 1 and Dessicator 2
(CP1-A and CP1-B), one member responsible for weighing the crucibles and filter paper on the
analytical balance (CP2), and one member overseeing the tabulation of results and calculation
of differences (CP3). The procedure went as follows. For the first heating, CP1-A opened
Dessicator 1 which contained the cooled-down crucibles and filter papers, and immediately
closed its lid after CP2 had taken the item to be weighed. Note that only one item at a time was
taken out of the dessicator. After taking the item outside of the dessicator, CP2 read the label of
the item out loud for CP3 to take note of. CP2, then, tared the analytical balance before
weighing the item. After weighing, the reading was noted by CP3 on a clean sheet of long bond
paper. Then, CP2 took out the item out of the analytical balance and transfers it to Dessicator 2
which was opened and immediately closed by CP1-B. The crucibles and filter papers were,
thereafter, returned to their respective ovens once the weighing process has ended. [3]
Procedures [1] to [3] were repeated until the latest weight difference computed by CP3 was
already less than or equal to  0.0003. Crucibles and filter papers that were already constant in
weight were transferred to Dessicator 3.

Moving on to the determination of total solids (TS), the researchers thoroughly shook the
water sample before pouring 25 milliliters of it into the constant weight crucibles MB2-1, MB2-2,
and MB2-3. The filled crucibles were placed on top of a hot plate and heated until complete
evaporation of water content was observed. The dried crucibles were subjected a secondary
constant weighing at 104C which repeatedly followed procedures [1] to [3] until the latest
weight difference computed was already less than or equal to  0.0003. Crucibles and filter
papers that were already constant in weight were transferred to Dessicator 3. [4]

For the determination of total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS),
the researchers thoroughly shook the water sample before pouring 25 milliliters of it into a clean
and empty beaker. Using the vacuum filtration set-up, the constant weight filter paper was
mounted on top of the filter holder of the Buchner funnel, which is attached to the mouth of the
erlenmeyer flask. A clamp was used to secure the two compartments of the Buchner funnel.
The erlenmeyer flask was attached to a vacuum pump for vacuum filtration to proceed. After
turning the vacuum filtration set-up on, the 25-mL water sample was poured into the Buchner
funnel in which the filtrate is captured by the erlenmeyer flask below, and the residue remained
on the filter paper. Once there were no more visible droplets at the tip of the funnel, the machine
was turned off. The procedure was repeated for another two times until all 25-mL filtrate were
transferred to their respective crucibles MB2-4, MB2-5, and MB2-6. The filter papers were
returned to their container, and subjected to heating on a hot plate together with the filled
crucibles. Once dry, the crucibles were transferred to Oven 2 for heating at 180C, whereas the
filter papers were transferred to Oven 1 for heating at 104C. Procedures [1] to [3] repeatedly
followed until the latest weight difference computed was already less than or equal to  0.0003.
Crucibles and filter papers that were already constant in weight were transferred to Dessicator
3. [5]

Last procedure for the experiment is the determination of total volatile solids (TVS) and
total fixed solids (TFS). The constant weight crucibles and filter papers achieved from
procedures [4] and [5] were transferred to the furnace and heated at 550C for one hour. Note
that the oven temperature did not automatically start at 104C, and continued to rise until it has
reached its stabilized temperature. Hence, the one-hour timer only commenced when the oven
temperature has finally reached a temperature of 550C. [6] After heating, the researchers
removed the heated items from the furnace and transferred it to a dessicator. The researchers
were supposed to repeatedly conduct procedures [6], [2], and [3], respectively, for the final time
until the latest weight difference computed was already less than or equal to  0.0003. However,
due to time constraints, only three heating sessions were conducted for the tertiary costant
weighing process.