Surfactant/detergent titration analysis method and apparatus for machine working fluids, surfactant-containing wastewater and the like

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871384

Smith, Douglas D ^[1]; Hiller, John M ^[2]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN

The present invention is an improved method and related apparatus for quantitatively analyzing machine working fluids and other aqueous compositions such as wastewater which contain various mixtures of cationic, neutral, and/or anionic surfactants, soluble soaps, and the like. The method utilizes a single-phase, non-aqueous, reactive titration composition containing water insoluble bismuth nitrate dissolved in glycerol for the titration reactant. The chemical reaction of the bismuth ion and glycerol with the surfactant in the test solutions results in formation of micelles, changes in micelle size, and the formation of insoluble bismuth soaps. These soaps are quantified by physical and chemical changes in the aqueous test solution. Both classical potentiometric analysis and turbidity measurements have been used as sensing techniques to determine the quantity of surfactant present in test solutions. This method is amenable to the analysis of various types of new, in-use, dirty or decomposed surfactants and detergents. It is a quick and efficient method utilizing a single-phase reaction without needing a separate extraction from the aqueous solution. It is adaptable to automated control with simple and reliable sensing methods. The method is applicable to a variety of compositions with concentrations from about 1% to about 10% weight. It is also applicable to the analysis of waste water containing surfactants with appropriate pre-treatments for concentration.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5721143
• OSTI ID: 871384
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

surfactant
detergent
titration
analysis
method
apparatus
machine
fluids
surfactant-containing
wastewater
improved
related
quantitatively
analyzing
aqueous
compositions
contain
various
mixtures
cationic
neutral
anionic
surfactants
soluble
soaps
utilizes
single-phase
non-aqueous
reactive
composition
containing
water
insoluble
bismuth
nitrate
dissolved
glycerol
reactant
chemical
reaction
solutions
results
formation
micelles
changes
micelle
size
quantified
physical
solution
classical
potentiometric
turbidity
measurements
sensing
techniques
determine
quantity
amenable
types
in-use
dirty
decomposed
detergents
quick
efficient
utilizing
separate
extraction
adaptable
automated
control
simple
reliable
methods
applicable
variety
concentrations
10
weight
waste
appropriate
pre-treatments
concentration
efficient method
method utilizes
waste water
improved method
aqueous solution
chemical reaction
composition containing
various types
water containing
containing water
phase reaction
method utilizing
water insoluble
analysis method
quantitatively analyzing
sensing method
related apparatus
containing waste
automated control
/436/422/