1

School of Engineering
Taylor’s University

Sc Keshminder Singh
Koay Geok Hwa
ho Wong Siew Fan
ol
of
E E
ng
v in
ee
a ri
ng
p Table of Contents
T
oay
lo
r r’
Abstract

3
s
aU 1. Introduction
ni
t ve 3

rsi
i ty
2. Experiment Deign

oM 2.1 Materials 3

nayal 2.2 Methods

Date of Experiment:
Report due date:
Report submission date:
4

o asi
2.3 Procedure Checked by: 4

3. Results & Discussion Item/marks

f 17 5
Format/10
Abstract and Introduction/10
Figures and Diagrams/10

SMac 3.1 Tables

Materials and Method/25
Results Discussions/20
Conclusion and
5

o2011
3.2 Graphs Recommendation/10 5
References/10
4. Analysis English/5

d
Total
6

i Conclusions & Recommendations 6

u
References 7

m
 2
School of Engineering
Taylor’s University

ABSTRACT

This experiment studies the evaporation of sodium chloride solution and finding its composition at the
end of the process. A calibration chart is constructed first by finding the refractive index of different
concentration of NaCl solution. The concentration of thick liquor obtained from the evaporation can be
found by looking through its refractive index in the calibration chart. The result is then compared to the
calculation of concentration based on the weight of thick liquor and solvent.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The objective of the experiment is to investigate the process of evaporation that is widely used in the
industry. Evaporation is done by applying heat to the solution, usually in steam. It has one clear
advantage which is utilizing the heat from its vapour in order to save energy in production of heat[1].
The end product of the process is thick liquor, a much more concentrated solution compared to the feed
at the start of the process. This is different to most of other process that usually produce solid towards
the end.

2.0 EXPERIMENT DESIGN

2.1.Materials and Apparatus
1) Anhydrous sodium chloride
2) Distilled water
3) Rotary evaporator
4) Abbe Refractometer
 3
School of Engineering
Taylor’s University
5) Digital balance
6) 100 ml beaker
7) 25 ml and 50 ml measuring cylinder
8) Glass rod

Figure 1. Abbe Refractometer

Figure 2. Rotary evaporator

2.2 Methods
5 different concentrations of NaCl are prepared by using the digital balance relative to the weight of
distilled water and NaCl. The refractive index of each concentration are obtained using Abbe
refractometer and a graph is prepared from the reading received. A another solution of NaCl in a much
more amount is prepared and the water is vapourised using the rotary evaporator. The thick liquor and
water at the end of the process are then collected to have their respective weight measured. The
 4
School of Engineering
Taylor’s University
refractive index of the thick liquor is also determined using Abbe refractometer and the concentration
can be obtained through the calibration chart produced earlier.

2.3 Procedure
1. For 5 wt% of NaCl concentration, 2.5 g of NaCl and 47.5 g of distilled water is weighted.
2. The component are then mixed and stirred in a 100 ml beaker using glass rod.
3. Using Abbe refractometer, the refractive index of the solution is obtained.
4. Repeat the process for 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt% and 25 wt% of NaCl concentration.
5. A calibration graph is produced from the refractive indices.
6. A 250 ml of NaCl solution with 15 wt% concentration is prepared.
7. The solution is then vapourised using the rotary evaporator.
8. When almost 50% of the solution is vapourised, the process is stopped and the thick liquor is
collected.
9. The refractive index of the thick liquor is used to determine its concentration.

3.0 RESULTS & DISCUSSION

3.1.Tables
Table 1. Concentration and Refractive Index of NaCl solution
S.No Concentration of NaCl Refractive index
solution (Weight%) of NaCl solution
1 5 1.341
2 10 1.349
3 15 1.359
4 20 1.367
5 25 1.376

3.2.Graphs

Figure 3: Calibration chart for NaCl solution

4.0 ANALYSIS

From the refractive indices obtained, a linear graph is produced with almost all the point touching the
line. The line intersects at 1.33, which is the refractive index of water [2]. This suggests that the value
calibrated in the chart is accurate. The calibration chart is then used to find out the concentration of
thick liquor based on its refractive index. It can be find out directly with the chart by plotting its value,
which is 1.372 on the refractive index. Another way is by using the equation of the linear line.
Calculation is shown below:
 5
School of Engineering
Taylor’s University

y = 0.0018x + 1.332

y is the refractive index

x is the w% concentration of NaCl solution

From the equation, the concentration of the thick liquor is 22.22 wt%. The result is also compared to the
weight% concentration of the thick liquor based on the material balance using the equation:

F.xF = L.xL

F is feed to the evaporator

L is the thick liquor collected
xF is the weight% of NaCl concentration
xL is the weight% of the thick liquor

From the calculation the thick liquor collected has 26.047 wt% of NaCl concentration, which has a
difference of 3.82 wt% compared to the concentration measured by the refractometer. The sum of water
vapour and thick liquor collected from the evaporator, 232.8 g also has a difference of 17.2 g from the
initial value which is 250 g.
The difference of the reading comes from the lost of the feed through the evaporator; whereby there is
still remaining water vapour remained in the distillation part of the system and also in the round-bottom
flask when the weight is being measured. Apart from that, there are some salt that crystallize after the
process. These salt may not fully dissolved during a sample is taken to read its refractive index.

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The solute material balance of gives the value of 26.047 wt% of NaCl where as the reading from the
refractometer of the thick liquor gives 22.22 wt%, showing significant difference of concentration
between the two method.
In order to rectify this difference, the round-bottom flask should be measured first at the start of the
experiment so that it can be subtracted directly during the reading to gain accurate result of the weight
of the liquids collected. Moreover, more time should be given to the system for the water vapour to be
fully drained from the apparatus.
 6
School of Engineering
Taylor’s University

REFERENCES

[1] Coulson & Richardson, “Chemical Engineering Volume 2” Butterworth-Heinemen

[2] Wikipedia.com (March 2011). Refractive index [Online].
Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refractive_index