In college, we all learned a thing or two about titration. However, what many of us don’t really know is how important titration is in real life. It, not just a chemical experiment that we do in college, it is more than that. Generally, titration is a chemistry procedure that is used to determine the exact proportions of chemicals in a solution.
What happens is a solution with an unknown concentration is measured and added onto a second solution with a known volume. The reaction between the two solutions is allowed some time until it’s complete. Titration is actually referred to as volumetric analysis. This is because the volumes of the two reacting solutions play a major role in the entire process. Titration may seem like a simple process. However, it’s a technique that is relied upon by many industries in developing and analyzing major chemical compounds. Here are some notable uses in titration in various industries that affect many aspects of the society;
1. Acid rain
In recent times, there is a lot of pollution that occurs in the environment. Many times environmental pollution results in adverse effects such as acid rain. Well, titration is used to determine the extent of contamination in the natural rainwater or snow. Environmentalists usually take samples of rainwater or snow and carry out tests on them through titration. It is basically a quick procedure and the results can be relied on as correct. Furthermore, titration does not require expensive equipment. This makes it easier for an environmentalist to perform tests often and in various locations. It’s a technique that is used widely in this context.
2. Wastewater analysis
Titration is used to determine the magnitude of contamination and the requirements that should be put in place in terms of filtering and cleaning the water. Through, titration it’s easy to know which harmful chemicals may be present in water and how to get rid of them. There is even more advanced equipment for a titration that can be used to measure the levels of ammonia together with any other reactants in the water. This way it’s easy to tell if there are any chemical in the water.
3. Nutrition
This is another aspect of life that you may never have imagined titration affects. The nutritional value of food is determined by the compounds that make up that particular food product. In this case, titration is used. For instance, titration is largely used to determine the acidity of orange juice. A solution is made using a known volume of orange juice and deionized water. Afterward, an electrode is added directly onto this solution. Manufacturers often use this procedure to meet the nutritional needs of different groups of people. It is also a way to vary the quality of a product according to what customers want.
4. To determine the unsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids in food
Furthermore, titration can be used to define the type of chain length in the fatty acids. This is useful for those people who have specific needs when it comes to food. Additionally, this technique may be useful in determining salt and sugar levels in foods.
5. Cleaning material industry
The production of effective cleaning materials and sanitizers relies on titration. This is especially important in food manufacturing factories because all machines and equipment used should be free of bacteria and pathogens. Otherwise, the food products would go bad. Titration kits are used to define the appropriate concentration of chemicals in a sanitizer or cleaning agent.
6. Cosmetic industry
If you use cosmetics, then you definitely know that there are some chemicals included as an ingredient in each product. So how do the cosmetic production facilities come up with just the appropriate concentration and amount of chemicals to use in their products? They have to be careful so that their cosmetic products do not have negative effects on the people who use them. This is where the concept of titration comes in. In addition, titration determines the kind of base suitable for a cosmetic, for example, coconut oil.
7. Used in cheese production
Titration is a vital process in the production of cheese. In this case, titration is important when measuring the pH and acidity of the initial milk being used to make the cheese. At the end of the cheese-making process, acidity is also measured so that the manufactures can know if the quality of the cheese is on point. Without titration, a cheese-making process would not be a success.
8. Wine industry
If you have a palate for wine, then you definitely know that different wines may have varied tastes. Titration plays a key role in bringing out the flavor of the wine. Additionally, the flavor of the various wine brands and types corresponds with the amount of acidity in them. Wine manufacturers have turned to titration in order to improve flavor. The procedure is pretty simple and requires only a few inexpensive types of equipment. When a titration test is conducted on wine, the manufactures will know what to do next. They can tell if the wine is good or some ingredients need to be added to improve flavor and quality.
9. Pharmaceutical industry
For a certain medication to be developed, particular quantities of chemicals have to be determined. The measurements of chemical quantities are arrived at through the process of titration. There is titration equipment specifically meant to carry out the pharmaceutical titration. Several variations are used so as to come up with the appropriate results. Titration is an important procedure because of its plays a key role in the quality of all the medications.
10. In medical labs
Lab technicians often use titration when dealing with blood and urine samples from patients. For instance, titration can be used to determine the levels of glucose in those diagnosed with diabetes. In urine samples, titration is usually the procedure that they use to know what chemicals are present in the urine. On other occasions, titration is used to determine if someone is pregnant or not. Blood samples are taken and a titration test is conducted to define the amount of the HCG hormone that is present in the blood. Additionally, when doctors want to administer anesthesia to a patient they first have to conduct a titration procedure. This way, they get to know the appropriate concentrations of the anesthesia that they are supposed to use.
11. Automotive industry
The automotive industry uses titration in the production of biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel needs to have the correct pH so that it’s functional. In this occasion, the titration process comes in handy. The manufactures have to measure the correct pH of the biodiesel. Afterward, they will be able to know the appropriate amount of base that should be used to make sure the resulting solution has a correct pH. In this process, the concentration of the base, the concentration of the biodiesel and the exact volume of the fuel is already known. Therefore, determining the correct volume of the base that is required to make fuel is easy. The formula M1VI=M2V2 will be used to calculate the right volume of base.
12. To test aquarium water
Freshwater fishes have specific water conditions that have to be met so that they can survive. Things such as the pH of water can affect them adversely and many times these fish die. Another thing that has to be considered is the concentration of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium. The pH of water and concentration of these chemical compounds have to be suitable for the survival of this kind of fish. Titration techniques are applied to determine the correct pH of the water and also the concentration of these chemical compounds. Afterward, it’s easy to tell if the conditions should be changed or if they are okay.
13. Science
Titration is useful in both biology and chemistry sciences. For instance, in the biology lab titration is used when the lab technicians want to know the correct concentrations of chemicals to use when anesthetizing animals. This makes it easy for them to conduct lab tests on some chosen animals. On the other hand, the chemists use titration when doing pharmaceutical testing of various drugs. This way they are able to come up with useful drugs later on. As a matter of fact, many of the drugs people use today are as a result the various titration techniques.
14. In education
Titration is a part of the chemistry curriculum in many schools and colleges. Most of us enjoyed doing titration practical. There is a good reason why many schools include titration in chemistry. This practice usually involves following a given set of instructions. This is a great way of testing students so that teachers are able to judge their propensity. In addition, titration is more of a practical thing. When students do this kind of practical, they quickly develop their hands-on skills and are forced to step out of their comfort zones.
15. Paint makers
Any industry that has something to do with pH levels requires titration in one way or the other. The pH levels, chemicals concentrations and amount of water to be used in the paint all rely on the titration process.
