Calculate total solids by drying a sample and dividing the mass of the remaining dry material by the original mass of the sample.
Understanding Total Solids (TS)
The Total Solids (TS) content is a fundamental measurement used across various fields, from environmental monitoring to food production. It quantifies the total amount of material that remains in a sample after all the water has been evaporated.
Based on the provided reference:
The Total Solids (TS) content of a sample is the mass of solids remaining after a sample has been dried in a 103oC oven for 24 hours, divided by the original mass of the sample.
This definition highlights the specific method used: drying at a controlled temperature (103°C) for a set duration (24 hours) to ensure complete moisture removal.
The Calculation Formula
The calculation for Total Solids is straightforward and is expressed as a simple formula:
$$ \text{Total Solids (TS)} = \frac{\text{Mass of Dried Solids}}{\text{Original Mass of Sample}} $$
Often, this value is then multiplied by 100 to express it as a percentage:
$$ \text{Total Solids (TS \%)} = \left( \frac{\text{Mass of Dried Solids}}{\text{Original Mass of Sample}} \right) \times 100 $$
Step-by-Step Process
Calculating Total Solids involves a few key steps:
- Obtain a Representative Sample: Collect a sample of the material you want to test (e.g., water, sludge, food product).
- Weigh the Original Sample: Accurately weigh a known amount of the wet or original sample. This is your Original Mass of Sample. Record this weight precisely.
- Dry the Sample: Place the weighed sample in a drying oven set to 103°C. According to the reference, the standard drying time is 24 hours to ensure all moisture is removed.
- Weigh the Dried Solids: After the specified drying time, remove the sample from the oven (often allowing it to cool slightly in a desiccator to prevent moisture absorption) and weigh the remaining dry material. This is your Mass of Dried Solids.
- Perform the Calculation: Use the formula above to calculate the Total Solids content.
Example Calculation
Let's walk through a simple example:
Suppose you test a sample of wastewater.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Original Sample Mass | 100 g |
| Mass of Dried Solids | 1.5 g |
Using the formula:
$$ \text{Total Solids (TS \%)} = \left( \frac{1.5 \text{ g}}{100 \text{ g}} \right) \times 100 $$
$$ \text{Total Solids (TS \%)} = 0.015 \times 100 $$
$$ \text{Total Solids (TS \%)} = 1.5 \% $$
In this example, the wastewater sample has a Total Solids content of 1.5%.
Why Measure Total Solids?
Measuring Total Solids is crucial for several reasons:
- Environmental Monitoring: Assessing the quality of water and wastewater.
- Industrial Processes: Controlling the concentration of dissolved and suspended materials in various manufacturing steps.
- Food Industry: Determining the concentration of ingredients or checking product consistency.
- Sludge Management: Characterizing sludge for treatment and disposal purposes.
This method provides a direct measure of the total non-water components in a sample, giving insight into its composition and quality.
