Determination of Water Content in Petroleum Using Karl Fischer Titration

Product Group

Hydrocarbons, Petroleum products

General Information concerning the product group

Hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons can in most cases be titrated according to standard methods. To overcome solubility problems of unpolar or weakly polar substances, the addition of a solubiliser to the solvent is necessary. In the case of long-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons, long-chain alcohols (e.g. propyl alcohol or decyl alcohol) or chloroform are thus recommended. Toluene, xylene or chloroform improve the solubility of aromatic compounds. Unsaturated hydrocarbons can usually be titrated in the same way. Interferences due to double bonds only occur with some very reactive compounds. In the case of interferences (unstable end point or none at all) a methanol-free, alcoholic solvent (e.g. CombiSolvent or CombiSolvent Keto) should be utilised instead of methanol. Recommended methods are both the volumetric titration with one or two component reagents, as well as the coulometric analysis. The latter is predominantly applied for low water concentrations (< 0.1 %).

Petroleum Products

Petroleum products are mixtures of long-chain or aromatic hydrocarbons. They are hardly soluble in methanol. Water determination by Karl Fischer therefore requires the addition of solubilisers. For light oils, long-chain alcohols are suitable. For dissolving of heavier oils toluene, xylene or chloroform are added. For the volumetric titration specific KF solvents for oils are available. Due to the very low water concentration titrants with a low factor (2 mg/mL or 1 mg/mL) are recommended. During coulometric determination without diaphragm 20% solubiliser can be added to the working medium, or 40% solubiliser to the anolyte in the case of coulometry with diaphragm. Note that oils are often heterogeneous compounds with uneven distribution of water and should thus be homogenised (e.g. with Ultra-Turrax) prior to KF determination. Additives in oils can cause side reactions during KF determination. Here, the direct coulometric analysis is not possible, the volumetric titration only conditionally. As an alternative, the KF oven technique can be utilised in combination with coulometry, whereby the release of water is best achieved at temperatures between 120 and 140 °C.

Special Information concerning the sample and the methods

Petroleum is poorly soluble in methanol and ethanol. Water determination can be carried out volumetrically or coulometrically. Addition of solubilisers is necessary.

Titration One Component System

Reagents:

Titrant
188002 Aquastar^® - CombiTitrant 2 - One component reagent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration, 1 mL = approx. 2 mg water

Solvent
50 mL 188020 Aquastar^® - CombiSolvent oils - Solvent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration with one component reagents for oils
or
30 / 20 mL 188009 / 803463 Aquastar^® - CombiMethanol / Decanol - solvent mixture for one component titration

Titration Parameters:
Stirring time: 1 min
Default titration settings, e.g.:
I(pol) = 20 - 50 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 20 µL/min

Sample size:
5 mL

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added with a syringe (exact sample weight determination by weighing of syringe before and after injection) or volumetric pipette and the titration is started. For complete dissolution of the sample a stirring time of 1 minute is recommended.

Titration Two Component System

Reagents:

Titrant
188011 Aquastar^® - Titrant 2 - Titrant for volumetric titration with two component reagents, 1 mL = approx. 2 mg water

Solvent
40 mL 188016 Aquastar^® - Solvent oils & fats - Solvent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration with two component reagents for oils & fats
and
10 mL 102445 Chloroform - as solubiliser

Titration Parameters:
Stirring time: 1 min
Default titration settings, e.g.:
I(pol) = 20 - 50 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 20 µL/min

Sample size:
5 mL

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added with a syringe (exact sample weight determination by weighing of syringe before and after injection) or volumetric pipette and the titration is started. For complete dissolution of the sample a stirring time of 1 minute is recommended.

Coulometry with Diaphragm

Reagents:

Catholyte
5 mL 109255 Aquastar^® - CombiCoulomat frit - Coulometric Karl Fischer reagent for cells with diaphragm

Anolyte
80 mL 109255 Aquastar^® - CombiCoulomat frit - Coulometric Karl Fischer reagent for cells with diaphragm
and
40 mL 803463 Decanol - as solubiliser

Titration Parameters:
Stirring time: 1 min
Default coulometer settings for cell with diaphragm:
For end point indication, e.g.:
I(pol) = 5 - 10 µA, U(EP) = 50 - 100 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 10 µg/min

Sample size:
1 - 2 mL

Procedure:
The Karl-Fischer reagent is placed into the cathode and anode compartment of the titration cell with diaphragm. The coulometer is started and the solvent is titrated dry. After preliminary titration and stabilisation of drift the sample is injected into the titration cell with a syringe (exact sample weight determination by weighing of syringe before and after injection) and the water determination is started. For complete dissolution of the sample a stirring time of 1 minute is recommended.

Coulometry Without Diaphragm

Reagents:

Working medium
80 mL 109257 Aquastar^® - CombiCoulomat fritless - Coulometric Karl Fischer reagent for cells with or without diaphragm
and
20 mL 803463 Decanol - as a solubiliser

Titration Parameters:
Stirring time: 1 min
Default coulometer settings for cell without diaphragm:
For end point indication, e.g.:
I(pol) = 5 - 10 µA, U(EP) = 50 - 100 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 10 µg/min

Sample size:
1 - 2 mL

Procedure:
The Karl-Fischer reagent is placed into the titration cell without diaphragm. The coulometer is started and the solvent is titrated dry. After preliminary titration and stabilisation of drift the sample is injected into the titration cell with a syringe (exact sample weight determination by weighing of syringe before and after injection) and the water determination is started. For complete dissolution of the sample a stirring time of 1 minute is recommended.