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Determination of Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids and Settleable Solids – Environmental Engineering Lab Experiment

Determination of Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) & Settleable Solids – Lab Experiment

Solids present in water or wastewater can be in dissolved or suspended form. These solids affect the quality, clarity, and usability of water. Determining different types of solids is important in water and wastewater analysis.

The main categories of solids measured in water are:

  • Total Solids (TS) – the total amount of dissolved and suspended matter present in water.
  • Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – solids that pass through a filter and remain dissolved in water.
  • Settleable Solids – suspended solids that settle at the bottom of water under gravity.

Aim

To determine the Total Solids (TS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Settleable Solids present in the given water or wastewater sample.

Apparatus Required

  • Evaporating dish
  • Hot air oven
  • Desiccator
  • Analytical balance
  • Measuring cylinder
  • Filter paper
  • Imhoff cone (for settleable solids)

Chemicals Required

  • Distilled water
  • Water or wastewater sample

Theory

Total solids in water are determined by evaporating a known volume of water and drying the residue at a specific temperature. The weight of the residue left after drying represents the total solids present in the sample.

Total dissolved solids are determined by filtering the sample and evaporating the filtrate to dryness. Settleable solids are measured by allowing the sample to settle in an Imhoff cone and observing the volume of solids settled at the bottom.

Procedure

1. Determination of Total Solids

  1. Take a clean and dry evaporating dish and weigh it.
  2. Add a known volume of water sample into the dish.
  3. Evaporate the sample on a water bath.
  4. Dry the dish in a hot air oven at about 103–105°C.
  5. Cool the dish in a desiccator and weigh it again.
  6. The increase in weight represents the total solids.

2. Determination of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

  1. Filter the water sample using filter paper.
  2. Collect the filtrate in a clean evaporating dish.
  3. Evaporate the filtrate to dryness.
  4. Dry the residue in an oven and weigh the dish.
  5. The residue represents total dissolved solids.

3. Determination of Settleable Solids

  1. Pour the water sample into an Imhoff cone up to the marked level.
  2. Allow the sample to stand undisturbed for about 1 hour.
  3. Observe the volume of solids settled at the bottom.
  4. Record the settleable solids in mL/L.

Observation Table

Parameter Observation Units
Total Solids (TS) ______ mg/L
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ______ mg/L
Settleable Solids ______ mL/L

Calculation

Total Solids (mg/L) =

(Weight of residue × 1000) / Volume of sample (mL)

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) =

(Weight of dissolved residue × 1000) / Volume of sample (mL)

Result

The Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, and Settleable Solids of the given water sample were determined.

Total Solids = ______ mg/L
Total Dissolved Solids = ______ mg/L
Settleable Solids = ______ mL/L

Precautions

  • Use clean and dry glassware for accurate measurements.
  • Ensure complete evaporation before weighing.
  • Handle hot dishes carefully after oven drying.
  • Allow the dish to cool in a desiccator before weighing.

Conclusion

The determination of total solids, dissolved solids, and settleable solids helps evaluate the quality and pollution level of water and wastewater. These parameters are important for designing and operating water and wastewater treatment systems.

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