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Lab Trends

2013 Titrator Product Survey

While titration is a basic analytical method, titrators are specialized instruments that perform titrations with minimal operator intervention. They can thus minimize errors, improve throughput, and facilitate documentation. There are two major titrator types: potentiometric acid-based designs and Karl Fischer titrators.

by Lab Manager

While titration is a basic analytical method, titrators are specialized instruments that perform titrations with minimal operator intervention. They can thus minimize errors, improve throughput, and facilitate documentation. There are two major titrator types: potentiometric acid-based designs and Karl Fischer titrators.

Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Titrator

  1. How precise is the titrant delivery system? Is the titrant delivery system certified for accuracy?
  2. Can additional titrants be used without having to purge burettes?
  3. What information is included in the titrator’s display and reports?
  4. Is the titrator limited to proprietary electrodes? What is the replacement cost for electrodes?
  5. Is the software field upgradeable?
  6. What is the service and repair policy?
    • Is on-site support offered?
    • If something goes wrong with the meter, can it be fixed locally?
    • What is the general turnaround time for repair?

Respondents are using the following titration methods in their labs:

Automated titration 57%
Manual titration 43%

Respondents are using the following types of titrators in their labs:

Potentiometric 57%
Karl Fischer Coulometric 49%
Karl Fischer Volumetric 40%
Other 8%

Survey respondents are currently using the following titrator components:

Autosampler 32%
Karl Fischer oven 21%
Evaporator 10%
Homogenizer 6%
Other 16%

Survey respondents currently inspect their titrators with the following frequency:

Before every use 38%
Weekly 16%
Monthly 7%
Quarterly 10%
Every six months 8%
Annually 15%
Don’t know 5%

Top ten features/factors survey respondents look for when buying a titrator:

Accuracy 100%
Reliability 95%
Low maintenance 95%
Ease of use 88%
Operating cost 83%
Service and support 80%
Price 76%
Warranty 73%
Speed 68%
Data management 62%

Readers’ labs have encountered the following problems that affected titrations:

Misjudging the color of the indicator near the end point 40%
Leaking burette 40%
Using solutions of wrong concentration 27%
Misreading the volume 25%
Not filling burette properly 22%
Using contaminated solutions 21%
Using dirty glass 19%
Using diluted titrant and diluted titrated solution 14%
Titrating at the wrong temperature 10%
Losing solution 8%
Rinsing burette and/or pipette with the wrong solution 6%
Other 3%

For more information on titrators, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/titrators

See the most recent survey results here