3
KFMANUAL 0317
KAM CONTROLS, INC.
1. INTRODUCTION
KAM
®
Moisture Analyzers incorporate the coulometry principle applied to Karl Fischer titration to totally
eliminate the troublesome procedures involved in conventional water determinations. Available in a lab
model as well as a portable, KAM
®
Moisture Analyzers are easy to use and fully automatic. The portable
model has a rugged case for field usage and the capability to operate continuously for 10 hours on battery
power before needing recharging.
KAM
®
KF units can be used to rapidly and accurately determine the water content of liquid hydrocarbons
for all custody transfer operations: pipeline, marine, or truck. The Moisture Analyzer can also be used to
analyze crude oils, distillates, transformer oils, jet fuels, chemicals, and most other liquids. In the plant, it
can monitor the moisture content of streams during start-ups, shutdowns, upsets, and normal operations.
This can be especially important on units where expensive catalysts can be damaged by excessive mois-
ture. The unit also can be used by machinists as part of a preventive maintenance program. By analyzing
lube oil on compressors, turbines, etc., the Moisture Analyzer can detect cooling water leaks before they
become severe enough to damage equipment.
Karl Fischer titrimetry is an accurate moisture measurement method utilizing the quantitative reaction of
water with iodine. In coulometric Karl Fischer titration, the sample is added to the Karl Fischer Reagent (io-
dine ion and sulfur dioxide as principal components). Iodine, generated electrolytically at the anode, reacts
with water in the sample as shown in Formula 1. Iodine is generated in direct proportion to the quantity of
electricity according to Faraday’s Law.
Formula 1: I
2
+ SO
2
+ H
2
O 2HI + SO
3
One mole of iodine reacts quantitatively to one mole of water; therefore, 1 mg of water is equivalent to
10.71 coulombs (Formula 2). Based on this principle, water content can be directly determined from the
quantity of electricity required for electrolysis. This eliminates the need for addition of Reagent and tedious
standardization procedures.
Formula 2: 2I
- -
2e
- -
I
THEORY OF OPERATION
KAM
®
LKF K
arl Fischer
Moisture Analyzer Lab Model
KAM
®
PKF K
arl Fischer
Moisture Analyzer Portable Model
For a full list of consumables, accessories, and parts, including KAM
®
Reagents and Homogenizer see page 21.
AVAILABLE MODELS