Hardness, Total Ultra Low Range

DR 1900 Analytical Procedure

AP-67/1900

SPECIFICATIONS
Method: Spectrophotometric (DR 1900)
Range: 13 to 1000 3 ug/L hardness, as CaCO3
Testing Time: 5 minutes

DESCRIPTION
The Ultra Low Range (ULR) Hardness procedure
for the Nalco DR 1900 spectrophotometer permits
analysis of high purity waters (high pressure boiler
feedwaters, RO permeate, demineralizer trains,
etc.), without the need for expensive AA/ICP
instrumentation. Calcium and magnesium combine
equivalently with the Chlorophosphonazo Indicator to form a colored complex which absorbs light
very strongly at 669 nm. One drop of the CDTA
reagent breaks up this complex, and the resultant
decrease in color is proportional to the amount of
calcium and magnesium (as CaCO3) in the sample.

ORDERING INFORMATION
Order all replacement parts and reagents by their
part numbers. To be sure this product is compatible
with your treatment program, contact your local
Nalco Sales Engineer. To place your order, please
contact your local customer service department.
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND REAGENTS
Required Parts
Description
Nalco DR 1900 Spectrophotometer
CDTA Reagent, 10 mL
Chlorophosphonazo
Indicator Pillows, 100/pkg
Sample cells, 1 cm x 1 in dual
pathlength
Adapter for dual pathlength cells

Part No.
400-P1900.88
460-S0471.70
460-S0472.87
500-P2531.88
500-P2532.88

Nalco DR 1900 Spectrophotometer

INTERFERENCES
Interference studies were conducted at various
hardness levels between 0 and 500 ug/L (as CaCO3).
Various cations and anions were added in a range
appropriate to ultra pure water applications.
Ion
in concentrations

Aluminum
> 150 ug/L
Copper
> 250 ug/L
Sodium
> 79 mg/L
Silicon
> 1000 ug/L
Potassium
< 1000 ug/L
Ammonium
< 1000 ug/L
Formaldehyde < 47 mg/L

results in the
following effects:
causes lower results
causes higher results
causes low results
causes high results
no interference
no interference
no interference

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Refer to Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific reagent
personal safety and disposal information.

SUPPORT
If you have any questions regarding this procedure,
please contact your Nalco Sales Engineer. In North
America you can also contact the Nalco Equipment
Help Desk at 630-305-CHEM.

SAMPLING
Do not use glass containers. Glass can contaminate
high-purity water significantly. For this reason, use
only clean plastic bottles or jars. Rinse the container
at least three times with the sample before capturing
the final sample. Seal the container during transport to minimize contamination. Ideally, the sample
should be collected directly into the sample cell
used for the analysis.

TOTAL ULTRA LOW RANGE HARDNESS DR 1900 PROCEDURE

Special Note: Do not use glass containers.

Stored
Programs

1
Select:
Stored Programs
Select stored program
228 Hardness, Tot. ULR
Select:
Start

2
Rinse a plastic sample cell
and the cap three times with
the water to be tested. Do
not allow the underside of
the cap to come in contact
with surfaces that may
contaminate it.
Note: Care must be taken
to avoid contaminating
samples and reagents.

3
Fill the plastic sample cell to
the 25-mL mark with sample.

4
Add the contents of one
Chlorophosphonazo Solution
Pillow (460-S0472.87) to the
sample cell.
Notes: A small amount of
solution may remain in the
pillow. This will not affect
results.
One mL of Chlorophosphonazo Solution may be
used instead of the solution
pillow.

Zero

Cap the cell and swirl to mix.

(This is the blank.)

Place the blank into the cell

holder.

Select: ZERO.
The display will show:
0 ug/L CaCO3

Remove the cell from the

instrument. Add one
drop of CDTA Reagent
(460-SO471.70) for Ultra
Low Range Hardness.
Note: Complete Steps
9-11 within 1-2 minutes

Read

10

Cap the cell and swirl to mix.

11

Place the cell into the cell

holder.

Select: READ.
The result in ug/L as CaCO3
will be displayed.

Nalco, an Ecolab Company

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