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Qno1 What Is Moisture Content Analysis?

Thermogravimetric analysis and Karl Fischer titration are common methods to determine the moisture content of materials. Thermogravimetric analysis measures the weight loss of a sample when heated, while Karl Fischer titration uses a chemical reaction between iodine and water to precisely measure moisture levels. These moisture analysis techniques are important for quality control across many industries to understand how moisture affects materials and products.

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59 views

Qno1 What Is Moisture Content Analysis?

Thermogravimetric analysis and Karl Fischer titration are common methods to determine the moisture content of materials. Thermogravimetric analysis measures the weight loss of a sample when heated, while Karl Fischer titration uses a chemical reaction between iodine and water to precisely measure moisture levels. These moisture analysis techniques are important for quality control across many industries to understand how moisture affects materials and products.

Uploaded by

Engr Mahwish
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Q NO 1

What Is Moisture Content Analysis?


Moisture content analysis is a critical component of material quality and
essentially a function of quality control in most production and laboratory
facilities. From biological research organisations, pharmaceutical
manufacturers, to food producers and packers, moisture content control
greatly influences the physical properties and product quality of nearly all
substances and materials at all stages of processing and final product
existence. Paul Wesolowski reports.

What Are The Methods Of Moisture Content Analysis?


Currently, many moisture analysis methods are available for
commercial purposes. The primary methods of water content
determination include spectroscopic, chemical, conductivity and
thermogravimetric analysis. For this technical review, the information
will focus on the thermogravimetric method of moisture analysis, and
the use of halogen heating as the source of thermal radiation. To
understand the thermogravimetric moisture analysis principle, it is
important to understand what moisture is, the definition of moisture
content and the effects of moisture on material processing and
formulation.

 Thermogravimetric Analysis Method?


The principle of the thermogravimetric method of moisture content
determination is defined as the weight loss of mass that occurs as the
material is heated. The sample weight is taken prior to heating and
again after reaching a steady-state mass subsequent to drying.
Various thermogravimetric methods and technologies can be used for
sample drying; for example, the halogen technological thermo-
radiation drying method is a universally applicable, highly efficient and
practical test procedure for in-process testing. The thermogravimetric
drying process has many advantages, notably this type of testing is
simple and generally does not require high capital investment.
In combining state-of-the-art thermogravimetric drying and halogen
heating with highly accurate weighing technology, for example, the
Ohaus MB45 moisture analyser delivers a fast, precise method of
completing a wide variety of moisture analysis procedures. The MB45
is suitable for sampling applications in the food processing,
pharmaceutical and chemical industries, providing loss on drying
results for volatile content in powders, pastesand/or liquids.

The measure of moisture content during thermogravimetric analysis


defines moisture as the loss of mass of a substance when heated, by
the process of water vapourisation. The substance difference is
continually calculated and recorded by a precision balance. Sample
substance mass is measured before and after the drying process for
final moisture determination on percentage basis.

Thermogravimetric analysis is a complete, accurate and responsive


method of moisture determination. Several drying methods are
classified as thermogravimetric. To be effective, moisture
determination methods must be fast, repeatable, and precise. Two
fundamental thermogravimetric moisture content measuring
technologies are halogen and infra red drying. Other traditional
methods include oven drying and microwave drying processes.

What Is The Oven Drying Method?


Oven drying methods for moisture determination are commonly used
for commercial purposes. The oven-drying methodology consists of
heating by convection with forced or circulating hot air. The accuracy
and moisture range that oven-drying techniques offer is very similar to
other thermogravimetric methods. Primary disadvantages of using
oven-drying methods include time and non-portability. For complete
and accurate results with oven drying moisture analysis techniques,
the ramp up and soaking times are rather long. This practice may
hinder actual production value with lengthy material quality feedback
for quick decision making at the point of production.

Oven drying techniques are normally implemented away from the


actual production area further adding lag time and ambient changes to
the test process. Most oven drying methods do not contain a precision
weighing balance-type instrument to measure and record mass
changes. Mass determinations for before and after measurement
recording must be implemented manually by the technician, increasing
the chance for error. Most oven drying methods do not allow the
continuous referencing, graphing and recording of substance mass
changes creating a void of data between the test start point and dry
state status.
The Karl Fischer Method of Moisture Detection

Applied Technical Services performs Karl Fischer testing to determine the moisture content of sample
materials. We maintain a state of the art Karl Fischer unit capable of volumetric and coulometric
titration, which offers a detection limit of 5ppm ±5 µg. Our system also utilizes a specialized oven
attachment that allows analysis of moisture in solid samples by vaporization of the moisture. Our Karl
Fischer unit is able to provide moisture measurements in terms of % moisture, parts per million (PPM),
and micrograms (µg) of water.

Q NO2
Karl Fischer (KF)
Titration is a technique for the determination of moisture content. It is a process based on the reaction
of iodine with water. The KF method is one of the few techniques that will measure water content and
not be affected by other volatiles. With our KF titration unit both free, and bound water can be
determined, for example surface water on crystals or the water contained inside them. The method
works over a wide concentration range from 5 ppm up to 100%, and supplies reproducible and accurate
results. Our unit can effectively test numerous types of solid or liquid samples. Sample size can vary and
is typically between 0.5-5 grams depending on the water content within the sample. There are two
methods used to perform Karl Fischer testing, volumetric and coulometric.
Volumetric Titration Method

Volumetric titration is used for moisture content above the 1-2% range. In this method samples are
injected directly into an air tight titration cell containing a solvent, and dissolved before the titration
begins. Through the use of an automatic buret, reagent is added and reacts with the water to return the
conductivity to the starting point. The amount of water/moisture in the sample is calculated based on
the amount of reagent need to reach this point. It has a range of moisture content from 100 parts per
million to 100%.

Coulometric Titration Method

For coulometric titration the reagent and solvent are combined in the titration cell. When a sample is
introduced into the titration cell and dissolved, reagent is released by the induction of an electrical
current. The moisture is determined by the amount of current required to consume the water. The
advantage of the coulometric KF method is the capability to accurately measure small amounts of
moisture. Sensitivity of our instrument is as low as 0.1 micro-gram (µg) of water. This method is
normally used for moisture content below 1 % or for samples where the amount of moisture is less than
200 micrograms.

Moisture Analysis

The addition of a specialized oven allows analysis of moisture in solid samples, or unique liquid samples
by vaporization of the moisture. For a sample to work by direct injection, it needs to be dissolvable in a
solvent compatible with the KF Reagents. Substances that release their water slowly or at high
temperatures (e.g., plastics or inorganic salts) are not suitable for a direct Karl Fischer titration. For these
samples we are able to determine moisture using the oven attachment.

The sample is weighed into its own sample vial and hermetically sealed, which minimizes contamination
and carry over effects. Using PTFE-covered septa prevents any moisture uptake from ambient air. The
vial is placed in the oven chamber and heated, a carrier gas transfers the released water to the titration
cell, where it is then determined by KF titration. Depending on the sample’s water content, the
subsequent KF water determination can be carried out volumetrically or, for trace amounts,
coulometrically. Since only the water enters the KF cell and the sample itself does not come into contact
with the KF reagent, unwanted side reactions and matrix effects are eliminated. You can determine the
water content of solids (powders or granules), liquids of different viscosities, plus pastes and fats.

These methods are widely used in the areas of transformer oil monitoring, crude and lube oil analysis,
polymer analysis, and many applications in the solvent, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Q NO 3
Result of moisture content test

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