Solids

Introduction (TS, TDS, TSS, & VSS)

Total Solids (TS)

Total solids are a measure of the suspended and dissolved solids in water. Matter
suspended or dissolved in water or wastewater is considered as solids. A high amount of
solids in water generally makes it not desirable for consumption. Solid analyses are
important in the control of biological and physical wastewater treatment processes and
for assessing compliance with regulatory agency wastewater effluent limitations. A limit
of 500 mg dissolved solids/L is set by EPA as secondary standard for drinking water.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

A well mixed sample is filtered through a prepared glass fiber filter into a clean filter
flask. The portion of the sample that is not retained by the filter is the dissolved solids.
The filter is dried to a constant weight at 180 degrees Celsius and the difference in the
weight of the dish represents the dissolved solid concentration. Dissolved solids are those
that pass through a water filter. They include some organic materials, as well as salts,
inorganic nutrients, and toxins.

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Suspended solids are those that can be retained on a water filter and are capable of
settling out of the water column onto the stream bottom when stream velocities are low.
They include silt, clay, plankton, organic wastes, and inorganic precipitates such as those
from acid mine drainage.

Fixed and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS)

The residue of TSS, TDS after heating to dryness for a defined amount of time and at a
defined temperature is defined as Fixed solids. Volatile solids are those solids lost on
ignition (heating to 550 degrees C.) They are useful to the treatment plant operator
because they give a rough approximation of the amount of organic matter present in the
solid fraction of wastewater, activated sludge and industrial wastes.

Objective

To quantitatively measure the total solids concentration, total dissolved solids

concentration, total suspended solids concentration and volatile suspended solids
concentration of unknown samples of waste water.
Materials

Analytical Balance
Porcelain evaporating dishes with 100 ml capacity
Drying oven capable of reaching 105ºC
Muffle furnace capable of reaching 550ºC
Aluminum weighing dish and filter used in TDS procedure
Filter
Tweezers/forceps
Sample collection container (plastic or glass)
25 ml graduated cylinder
Desiccator provided with indicating desiccant

Methodology

Total Solids

1. Ignite an evaporating dish at 550ºC for 1 hour in the muffle furnace.

Cool and store in the desiccators until use.
2. The sample should be at room temperature and the evaporating dish
should have been weighed before you begin (TSB). Use only tweezers
and gloves to touch the evaporating dish.
3. Place 25 ml of well-mixed sample into the evaporating dish.
4. Evaporate to dryness in the oven at 103ºC.
5. Repeat cycle of drying, cooling and weighing until a constant weight is
achieved. Record the final weight (TSA).
6. Calculate total solids (see Data and Data Analysis)

Total Dissolved Solids

1. The filters should be flushed (filtered) with approximately 50 mL of

DI water. The wrinkled side of the filter should be facing up. Number
the bottom of each aluminum dish with a permanent marker, and place
them in the furnace at 500ºC for 15 minutes.
2. Place the porcelain dishes in the furnace at 500ºC for 15 minutes.
3. Remove the dishes from the furnace, and weight the dishes along with
the filter paper
4. Assemble the filter apparatus. Shake the sample in order to suspend
any sediments or particles.
5. Use a graduated cylinder to transfer 100 mL of well-mixed sample
onto the filter pad and apply a vacuum.
6. Remove the filter with forceps and return it to its marked aluminum
weighing dish and place it to the side.
7. Swirl the filtrate in the flask and, transfer a determined amount to the
dish.
 8. Calculate the total dissolved solids (See Data and Data Analysis)

Total Suspended Solids

1. Place the aluminum dish used in the TDS procedure in the oven at
103ºC for 2 hours.
2. Repeat cycle of drying, cooling and weighing until a constant weight is
achieved. Record the final weight. (TSSA).
3. Calculate Total Suspended Solids (See Data and Data Analysis)

Fixed and Volatile Suspended Solids

1. Weigh the aluminum dish and filter. Place the dish in the furnace to
ignite the residue on filter. Leave it in the furnace to Ignite the residue
on filter. Leave it in the furnace for 20 or 30 min at 550ºC (VSSB)
2. Let the dish cool partially in the air until most of the heat has
dissipated. Let cool and weigh (VSSA).
3. Calculate volatile suspended solids. (See Data and Data Analysis)

Data and Data Analysis

Total Solids

mg / L total solids = [(TSA – TSB)] X 1000 / sample mL

TSA = Weight of dried residue + dish in milligrams

TSB = Weight of dish in milligrams

Total Dissolved Solids

mg / L total dissolved solids = [(TDSA – TDSB)] X 1000 / sample mL

TDSA = Weight of dried residue + dish in milligrams

TDSB = Weight of dish in milligrams

Total Suspended Solids

mg / L total suspended solids = [(TSSA – TSSB)] X 1000 / sample mL

TSSA = Weight of dish and filter paper + dried residue

TSSB = Weight of dish and filter paper in milligram
Fixed and Volatile Suspended Solids

mg / L volatile suspended solids = [(VSSA – VSSB)] X 1000 / sample mL

VSSA = Weight of residue + dish and filter before ignition, mg

VSSB = Weight of residue + dish and filter after ignition, mg