Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl: How To Use Instrument-Specific Information
Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl: How To Use Instrument-Specific Information
Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl: How To Use Instrument-Specific Information
Adapted from Hach, et. al., Journal of Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 70(5) 783-787 (1987); Hach, et. al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 33(6) 1117-1123 (1985); Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
Test preparation
1. Select the test. Insert an adapter if required (see Instrumentspecific information). Refer to the user manual for orientation.
2. Prepared Sample: Digest the sample amount as described in the Digesdahl Digestion Apparatus Instruction Manual.
4. Select the appropriate analysis volume of the digested sample given in the Aqueous samples (solutions or suspensions in waterless than 1% solids), Dry samples or Oils and fats tables depending on the sample. Pipet the analysis volume from the sample and the blank into separate 25-mL mixing graduated cylinders.
6. If the aliquot is less than 1 mL, proceed to step 7. If it is greater than 1 mL, add drops of 8.0 N KOH to each cylinder until the first flash of blue color appears. Stopper and invert the cylinder after each addition. Proceed to the next step.
7. Add 1.0 N KOH to each cylinder, one drop at a time, mixing after each addition. Continue until the first permanent blue color appears.
9. Add three drops of Mineral Stabilizer to each cylinder. Stopper and invert several times to mix.
10. Add three drops of Polyvinyl Alcohol Dispersing Agent to each cylinder. Stopper and invert several times to mix.
11. Fill both cylinders to the 25-mL mark with deionized water. Stopper and invert several times to mix.
12. Pipet 1.00 mL of Nessler Reagent to each cylinder. Stopper and invert repeatedly. The solution should not be hazy. Any haze (turbidity) will cause incorrect results.
Zero
13. Start the instrument timer. A two-minute reaction period will begin.
14. When the timer expires, pour the contents of the cylinders into separate square sample cells.
15. Wipe the blank and insert it into the cell holder.
16. ZERO the instrument. The display will show: 0 mg/L TKN
Read
17. Wipe the prepared sample and insert it into the cell holder.
A = mg/L read from the display B = g (or mL of water) sample taken for digest C = mL analysis volume of digested sample
Interferences
Table 2 Aqueous samples (solutions or suspensions in waterless than 1% solids)
Expected nitrogen concentration (mg/L) 0.528 2112 11560 452250 42522500 Analysis volume (mL) 10.0 5.0 2.00 1.00 0.50
Accuracy check
Kjeldahl Nitrogen standard method This procedure checks digestion efficiency and indicates the amount of bound nitrogen that is released during digestion. The methods and standards available to check digestion technique are found in the Accuracy Check section following the procedure in the Digesdahl Digestion Apparatus Instruction Manual. Using the digested Kjeldahl standard, perform the Nessler method on a colorimeter. The TKN value should come within 3% of the value of the prepared Kjeldahl standard. Standard solution method (to check calibration accuracy only)
Note: Refer to the instrument user manual for specific software navigation instructions.
Required for accuracy check: 1.0-mg/L NH3N solution TKN indicator Dropper Graduated cylinders (2) Deionized water Mineral Stabilizer Polyvinyl Alcohol Dispersing agent
1. Add one drop of TKN Indicator to each 25-mL graduated mixing cylinder. 2. Fill one cylinder to the 20-mL mark with deionized water. Fill the other cylinder to the 20-mL mark with a 1.0-mg/L NH3N solution. 3. Add 3 drops of Mineral Stabilizer to each cylinder. Invert several times to mix. 4. Add 3 drops of Polyvinyl Alcohol Dispersing agent to each cylinder. Invert several times to mix. 5. Perform the TKN procedure as described in step 11 to step 18. Accurate calibrations will show 2627 mg/L TKN.
Method performance
Precision95% Confidence Limits of Distribution 7082 mg/L NH3N Sensitivity DConcentration per 0.010 DAbs 1 mg/L NH3N
Program 399
Summary of method
The term Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen refers to the combination of ammonia and organic nitrogen. However, only the organic nitrogen compounds appearing as organically bound nitrogen in the trinegative state are determined in this test. Nitrogen in this form is converted into ammonium salts by the action of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The ammonia is then analyzed by a modified Nessler method test. Test results are measured at 460 nm.
Required apparatus
Description Boiling Chips, silicon carbide Cots, finger Cylinder, graduated mixing, 25-mL Digesdahl Digestion Apparatus, 115 VAC OR Digesdahl Digestion Apparatus, 220 VAC Pipet, TenSette, 0.11.0 mL Pipet Tips, for TenSette Pipet 1970001 Safety Shield 1 1 2 1 each each 50/pkg each 2313021 1970001 2185696 5003000 Quantity 23 2 2 1 Unit 500 g 2/pkg each each Catalog number 2055734 1464702 2636240 2313020
Recommended standards
Description Nitrogen, Primary Standard Set for TKN Nitrogen Standard Solution, 1-mg/L NH3N Nitrogen Standard Solution, Voluette Ampule, 150-mg/L NH3N, 10-mL Wastewater Influent Inorganics Standard for NH3N, NO3N, PO4, COD, SO4, TOC Unit each 500 mL 16/pkg 500 mL Catalog number 2277800 189149 2128410 2833149
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Edition 6