Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi
CVL212 (Sem 2, 2024-25) (Prof. Arun Kumar and Prof. Arya V.)
Laboratory Experiment 3: Determination of Total Solids, Total Suspended
Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Volatile Suspended Solids and Fixed
Suspended Solids in a given water sample and wastewater
1.0. Objective: To determine the Total Solids (TS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS), present in water sample & wastewater.
2.0. Introduction:
The term TSS applies to the dry weight of the material that is removed from a measured volume
of water sample by filtration through a standard filter. To achieve reproducibility and
comparability of the results close attention to procedural details, especially filter characteristics
and time and temperature of drying is required.
Environmental Significance:
• TSS can cut down light transmission through the water and so lower the rate of
photosynthesis in aquatic flora.
• In less turbulent parts of the river, some of the solids may sediment out, smothering life
of the riverbed.
• The TSS determination is extremely valuable in the analysis of polluted water.
• It is a major parameter used to evaluate the strength of domestic wastewater and to
determine the efficiency of treatment units.
A well-mixed, measured portion of sample is filtered through a standard glass fibre filter and
the filtrate portion is evaporated to dryness at 180 ± 2 °C and that gives the amount of total
dissolved solids. The reason for higher temperature used is to remove all mechanically
occluded water. Where organic matter is generally very low in concentration, the losses due to
higher drying temperature will be negligible.
Environmental Significance:
• A high content of dissolved solids elevates the density of water, influences
osmoregulation of freshwater organisms, reduces solubility of gases (like oxygen) and
reduces utility of water for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes.
• TDS concentration beyond 500 mg/L, decreases palatability and may cause
gastrointestinal irritation.
The sum total mass of Total Suspended Solids and Total Dissolved Solids is known as Total
Solids.
This method will also be used to determine for volatile and fixed solids present in the water
sample.
TSS: Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is a measure of the amount of solid particles that are
suspended in water or wastewater.
TDS: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in wastewater is the sum of all inorganic and organic
substances that are dissolved in water. TDS can include salts, minerals, metals, cations, and
anions.
TS: Total Solids (TS) in wastewater is the total amount of solid matter that remains after water
evaporates. It's a measurement of the concentration of solids that can be suspended or dissolved
in wastewater.
VSS: Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS) is a measure of the organic matter in wastewater.
FSS: FSS stands for Fixed Suspended Solids, which are inorganic particles in wastewater that
remain after heating.
3.0. Apparatus:
Suction Flask, Filtration Apparatus, Desiccator, Beakers, Weighing Balance, Hot Air Oven,
Filter Paper, Graduated Cylinder, Porcelain Crucible, etc.
4.0. Procedure:
For determination of TSS:
1. Measure the empty weight of filter paper and note down reading (Wi).
2. Mix Sample well and pour into a graduated cylinder to the selected volume (V).
3. Apply suction to filter flask and seat filter with a small amount of distilled water.
4. Pour selected volume into filtration apparatus.
5. Wash with 3-successive 10-mL volume of distilled water, allowing complete drainage
between washing, and continue suction for about 3 minutes after filtration is completed.
6. Carefully remove the filter paper from the filtration apparatus and transfer it to a
weighing dish as a support.
7. Dry for at least 1 hour at 103-105°C in a hot air oven.
8. Cool in desiccator and weigh filter paper and record the reading (Wf).
9. Repeat cycle of drying, cooling, desiccating and weighing until a constant weight is
obtained, or weight change is less than 4% of previous weight or 0.5 mg, whichever is
less. Duplicate determination should be within 5% of their average.
Observation
Initial Weight of Filter Paper in gm, (Wi) =
Final Weight of Filter Paper in gm, (Wf) =
Volume of Sample in ml, (V) =
Calculation
(Wf−Wi)× 1000000
Suspended solids in mg/L = V
Result
TSS of given sample =
For determination of TDS:
1. Take a clean porcelain dish/beaker which has been washed and dried in a hot air oven
at 103-105 °C for one hour.
2. Now weigh the empty porcelain dish/beaker in analytical balance (Wi).
3. Mix sample well and pour into a funnel with filter paper. Filter a known volume of a
well-mixed sample in the above beaker. (i.e. 100 mL, 200 mL or 500 mL) (V).
4. Note: Choose the sample volume to yield 10 to 200 mg of dried residue. If more than
10 minutes are required for complete filtration, decrease the sample volume.
5. Evaporate the sample in a hot air oven at 180 ± 2 °C after the whole water is evaporated,
cool the evaporating dish/beaker in a desiccator and take the final weight (Wf).
6. Total solids = (Suspended solids) + (Dissolved solids).
Observations:
Initial Weight of crucible in gm, (Wi) =
Final Weight of crucible in gm, (Wf) =
Total Weight of crucible in gm, (W) =
Volume of Sample in ml, (V) =
Calculations:
(Wf−Wi)× 1000000
Total Dissolved solids in mg/L = V
Results:
TDS of given sample =
Total solids = TSS + TDS =
For determination of volatile suspended solids and fixed suspended solids
1. Weigh filters (mass = B g).
2. Filter samples (50 ml).
3. Run each sample in duplicates. You will have a total of 4 samples.
4. Oven dry at 103° C for 30 min (please note that standard methods recommend 1 hour).
At this stage all water will be evaporated, and only suspended solids will be retained
on the filter. Weigh filters now (mass =A g).
5. Calculate concentration of total suspended solids:
mg total suspended solids =1000*(A-B)/ (sample volume in mL)
6. Weight crucibles (mass=C) and then weight crucible and filter (total mass=E).
7. Put crucibles with filter paper in muffle furnace and ignite at 550° C for 15 min. At this
stage all volatile components of solids will be volatilized, and only fixed inert solid
materials will be left in crucible. Weigh crucible after proper cooling (mass=D g).
8. Calculate concentration of volatile suspended solids (F)
9. Calculate concentration of fixed suspended solids (G)
Observations:
Weight of filter paper = B g
Volume of samples = 50 mL
Weight of filter paper after oven drying =A g
Weight of crucibles = C g
Weight of crucible and filter paper = E g
Weigh of crucible after proper cooling =D g
Calculations:
Calculate concentration of total suspended solids:
mg total suspended solids =1000*(A-B)/ (sample volume in mL)
Calculate concentration of volatile suspended solids (F):
mg volatile suspended solids/L =1000*(E-D)/ (sample volume in mL)
Calculate concentration of fixed suspended solids (G):
mg volatile suspended solids/L =1000*(D-C)/ (sample volume in mL)
Result
Volatile suspended solids present in a given sample =
Fixed suspended solids present in a given sample =
