SPECIFICATIONS
Instruction Manual
www.hannainst.com
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a Hanna Product. Please read the
instructions carefully before using the chemical test kit. It
will provide you with the necessary information for correct
use of the kit.
Range
0 to 100 mg/L (ppm) CaCO
3
0 to 300 mg/L (ppm) CaCO
3
Smallest Increment 1 mg/L [in the 0-100 mg/L range]
3 mg/L [in the 0-300 mg/L range]
Analysis Method
Acid titration using phenophthalein
and bromophenol blue
Sample Size
5 mL and 15 mL
Number of Tests
110 (average)
Case Dimensions
200x120x60 mm (7.9x4.7x2.4")
Shipping Weight
460 g (17.2 oz.)
SPECIFICATIONS
HI 3811
Alkalinity Test Kit
ISTR3811R4 07/02 PRINTED IN ITALY
Remove the chemical test kit from the packing material and examine
it carefully to make sure that no damage has occurred during shipping.
If there is any noticeable damage, notify your Dealer or the nearest
Hanna office immediately.
Each kit is supplied with:
• Phenolpthtalein Indicator, 1 bottle (10 mL) with dropper;
• Bromophenol Blue Indicator, 1 bottle (10 mL) with dropper;
• HI 3811-0, 1 bottle (120 mL);
• 2 calibrated vessels (10 and 50 mL);
• 1 calibrated syringe with tip.
Note:
Any damaged or defective item must be returned in its original
packing materials.
Alkalinity is the quantitative capacity of a water sample to
neutralize an acid to a set pH. This measurement is very
important in determining the corrosive characteristics of water
due primarily to hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate ions.
Other sources of alkalinity can be from anions that can be
hydrolyzed such as phosphates, silicates, borates, fluoride and
salts of some organic acids. Alkalinity is critical in the treat-
ments of drinking water, wastewater, boiler & cooling systems
and soils. The Hanna Alkalinity Test Kit makes monitoring
easy, quick and safe. The compact size gives the user the
versatility to use the kit anywhere. The design makes the kit
easy to handle and, except for
HI 3811-0
, practically
prevents accidental injury or damage due to spills.
Note:
mg/L is equivalent to ppm (parts per million).
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
CHEMICAL REACTION
Alkalinity can be measured as Phenophthalein Alkalinity
and Total Alkalinity. The Phenophtalein Alkalinity is deter-
mined by neutralizing the sample to a pH of 8.3 using a
dilute hydrochloric acid solution, and a phenophthalein in-
dicator. This process converts hydroxide ions to water, and
carbonate ions to bicarbonate ions:
OH
–
+HCl
→
H
2
O+Cl
–
CO
3
2–
+HCl
→
HCO
3
–
+Cl
–
Since bicarbonate ions can be converted to carbonic acid with
additional hydrochloric acid, the Phenophthalein Alkalinity
measures total hydroxide ions, but only half of the bicarbon-
ate contribution. To completely convert the carbonate ions,
hydrochloric acid is added until the sample's pH is 4.5:
HCO
3
–
+HCl
→
H
2
CO
3
+Cl
–
This is known as Total Alkalinity.
INSTRUCTIONS
READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE TEST KIT
LOOK AT THE BACK PAGE FOR THE ILLUSTRATED PROCEDURE
Determination of Phenophtalein Alkalinity
• Remove the cap from the small plas-
tic vessel. Rinse the plastic vessel
with water sample, fill to the 5 mL
mark and replace the cap.
• Add 1 drop of Phenolphtalein indicator through the cap
port, and mix carefully swirling the vessel in tight
circles. If the solution remains colorless, record the
phenophthalein alkalinity as zero, and proceed with
the procedure for the determination of Total Alkalinity
(see below). If the solution is pink or red, proceed to
next step.
• Take the titration syringe and push plunger
completely into the syringe. Insert tip into
HI
3811-0
solution and pull plunger out until
the lower edge of the plunger seal is on the
0 mL mark of the syringe.
• Place syringe tip into the cap port of the
plastic vessel and slowly add the titration
solution dropwise, swirling to mix after each
drop. Continue adding titration solution
until the solution in the plastic vessel turns
colorless.
• Read off the milliliters of titration solution from the
syringe scale, and multiply by 300 to obtain mg/L
(ppm) CaCO
3
.
Determination of Total Alkalinity
• Remove the cap from the plastic
vessel. Rinse the plastic vessel with
water sample, fill to the 5 mL mark
and replace the cap.
• Through the cap port, add 1 drop of Bromophenol blue
indicator and mix. If the solution is yellow, then it is
x 300 = CaCO
3
acidic and an acidity test must be carried
out (see HI 3820 – Hanna Acidity Test Kit).
If the solution is green or blue, then proceed
to next step.
• Take the titration syringe and push the
plunger completely into the syringe. Insert
the tip into
HI 3811-0
, and pull the plunger
out until the lower edge of the plunger seal
is on the 0 mL mark of the syringe.
• Place the syringe tip into the cap port of the
plastic vessel and slowly add the titration
solution dropwise, swirling to mix after each
drop. Continue adding titration solution until
the solution in the plastic vessel turns yellow.
• Read off the milliliters of titration solution from the syringe
scale and multiply by 300 to obtain mg/L (ppm) CaCO
3
.
Low Range Determinations
If results are lower than 100 mg/L, the precision of the test
can be improved as follows.
• Remove the cap from the large plastic
vessel. Rinse the vessel with water
sample, fill to the 15 mL mark and
replace the cap. Proceed with the test
as described before. To obtain the result for both
Phenophtalein and Total Alkalinity multiply the values on
the syringe scale by 100.
Note:
Push and twist pipet tip onto tapered end of syringe
ensuring an air-tight fit.
x 300 = CaCO
3
REFERENCES
x 100 = CaCO
3
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The chemicals contained in this test kit may be hazardous if
improperly handled. Read Health and Safety Data Sheets
before performing the test.
1987 Annual Book of ASTM Standard, Volume 11.01
Water (1), pages 151-158.
Official Methods of Analysis, A.O.A.C., 14
th
Edition, 1984.
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste-
water, 18
th
Edition, 1992, pages 445-446.
