KUMASI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

INTRUSMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT

EXPERIMENT 1
TITLE: CALIBRATION OF PH METER

BY
CME05170007
ATINGANE MOSES

LECTURER: MR. DUKE ANTWI

DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 8ST NOVEMBER, 2018

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12ND NOVEMBER, 2018
INSTRUCTOR:
MRS. AMA AGYEMANG FRANS
 ABSTRACT
The calibration of PH meters including the glass electrode, ISE electrodes, buffer and the
general background for calibration are reviewed. Understanding of the basic concepts of pH
and electrode mechanism is emphasized. New concepts of pH as well as critical examination
of activity coefficients are given. A buffer solution with a conducting wire may be used as a
stable reference electrode. Calibration with three nonlinear portion for the entire 4,7 and 10
PH range due to the isoelectric point change effect are explained. The potential measurement
with stirring and unstirring, and effects by double layer 9(DL) and triple(TL) will be
discussed.
INTRODUCTION

A PH is a scientific instrument that measures the hydrogen-ion activity in water-based

solution, indicating its acidity or alkalinity expressed as P H. The pH meter measures the
difference in electrical potential between a pH electrode and the reference electrode, and so
the pH meter is sometimes called a “potentiometric pH meter”. The difference in the electric
potential relates to the acidity or pH of the solution. Comparing the readings of the instrument

to the sub-standard, a curve is plotted.

pH (“pondus Hydrogenii”) refers to the measure of the hydrogen ions concentration a

solution. The range of the pH is from 1 to 14 with pH 7 being neutral.

pH measuring is applicable in water treatment, food, chemical process control etc., therefore

there is the need to calibrate it.

OBJECTIVES

 To calibrate a pH meter.

 To develop a calibration curve for it.

THEORY

The acidity and alkalinity can be measured by the concentration of the ion in solution/fluid.
As for instance, if H+ is larger, than the (OH-) hydroxyl concentration is very low, the
solution is strongly acidic. If the (OH-) concentration is very high, then (H+) concentration is
very low then the solution is strongly alkaline. The acidity and the alkalinity of the fluid can
be measured by the concentration of the (H+) ion in the fluid. As for instance, if (H+) is
larger, then the (OH-) hydroxyl concentration is very low, the solution is strongly acidic. If
the (OH-) concentration is very high, then (H+) concentration is very low then the solution is
strongly alkaline. The pH of solution is the logarithm of the reciprocal of the (H+)
concentration expressed as: pH=-log H (ref 2)

MATERIALS NEEDED

 pH meter

 pH electrode

 Thermometer

 100 mL beakers

 pH solution 10.01

 pH solution 7

 pH solution 4.01
 Deionized water

EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE

The temperature of each of the buffer solution was measured using a thermometer.

The PH electrode was first rinsed with deionized water and then wiped gently with soft
tissue paper.

The electrode was placed into a PH 10.01 buffer calibration beaker, so that the electrode
tip and junction are fully immersed in the buffer solution. Stir the buffer at moderate,
uniform rate.

The calibration was then started on the meter.

Wait for a stable reading in the pH 10.01 buffer, at least 1 to 2 minutes and then record the
value.

The pH electrode first with deionized water and then wipe it gently with soft tissue paper.

The electrode was placed into the pH 7 buffer calibration beaker, so the electrode tip and
junction are fully immersed in the buffer. Stir the buffer at a moderate, uniform rate.

Wait for a stable reading in the pH 7 buffer, at least 1 to 2 minutes and record the value.

The pH electrode was first rinsed with deionized water and then wipe it gently with a soft
tissue paper.

The electrode was placed into pH 4.01 buffer calibration beaker, so the electrode tip and
junction are fully immersed in the buffer, stir the at a moderate, uniform rate.

Wait for a stable reading in the pH 4.01 buffer at least 1 to 2 minutes and record the value.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

The pH meter is an electric device used to measure hydrogen-ion activity (acidity or

alkalinity) in solution. Fundamentally, a pH meter consists of a voltmeter attached to a pH-
responsive electrode and a reference (unvarying) electrode. The pH-responsive electrode is
usually glass, and the reference is usually a mercury-mercuries chloride (calomel) electrode,
although a silver chloride electrode is sometimes used. When the two electrodes are
immersed in a solution, they act as a battery. The glass electrode develops an electric
potential (charge) that is directly related to the hydrogen-ion activity in the solution, the
voltmeter measures the potential difference between the glass and reference electrodes.
 REUSLT AND DATA

TEMPERATURE PH READING

TEMPERATURE PH 10 PH 7 PH 4

25 9.45 6.18 4.56

30. 0 9.79 5.64 4.02

35 9.68 5.69 3.91

40 9.82 5.42 3.93

50 9.53 5.30 2.98

 CALIBRATION OF PH AGAINST TEMERTATURE
12

10 9.79 9.82
9.68
9.45 9.53

6.18

6 5.69
5.64
PH

5.42
5.3

4.56

4.02
3.91
4
3.39

2.98

0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

TEMPERATURE

ph of 10 ph of 7 ph of 4
DISCUSSION

 In this test there are change pH by temperature directly, that is, mean when the
temperature increases the pH increase

 There is an effect that takes the error in this after temperature as water (if the water is not
pure) not standard, pH 7, the device recorded wrong value and takes the pH of the mud
wrong value

 The errors in the graph are probably due to the error in the P H meter of the solution been
used is not of standard PH as it is supposed to have.

PRECAUTIONS

 Check the expiring dates of all the buffer before use

 Rinse the electrode with distilled water very well after every reading before it is
dipped into a different buffer

CONCLUSION

The temperature of any substance increase with an increase in pH as represented on the graph
above. With the help of the pH whose concentration were known the pH meter was able to
read approximately the actual pH that tallies with the pH of the buffer solution
RECOMMENDATION

From the experiment and results I will recommend that the pH meter be calibrated every 4
months to make sure its calibration meets the international standards. If possible it can be
calibrated before it is used for every experiment to help perform accurate values and reduce
deviations. Good and accurate PH meter and thermometer should be used to give correct and
accurate results.

REFERENCE

 Http://educators.brainpop.com/virtual-lab

 Http://www.enggcyclopedia.com/2012/introductiontophmeter