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2004
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In the Laboratory
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Analysis of an Air Conditioning Coolant Solution for Metal Contamination Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. An Undergraduate Instrumental Analysis Exercise Simulating an Industrial Assignment
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Michael J. Baird
Department of Chemistry, Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV 26003
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February 2004
Vol. 81 No. 2
p. 259
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| Abstract |
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The analysis of eight metals in an ethylene glycolywater solution by atomic absorption spectroscopy provided a real-life assignment for students in an instrumental analysis course. The University's maintenance department was considering replacing the corrosion inhibitor in the coolant solution of the air conditioning system and needed to dispose of the spent liquid. The mode of disposal would depend on the concentration of metals contaminating the solution that could have resulted from leaching from the pipes. The chemistry department was asked to analyze the solution. This request enabled the instructor, with previous industrial experience, to design the lab as a simulated industrial assignment. The instructor, acting as the supervisor, assigned this problem to his staff chemists: the students. Students worked as a group to determine if the concentration of any of the specified metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Ag, or Zn) was above the maximum allowable limit (MAL) as specified in the city's ordinance for wastewater cleanup. The results showed that only copper was above the limit. This result would require the spent solution to be sent to an industrial waste treatment facility. This laboratory exercise introduced students to (i) optimizing and operating an atomic absorption spectrometer, (ii) using Beer's law plots for determining concentrations of unknowns, and (iii) working as a group to solve a real-life analytical problem. A similar assignment could be based on the analysis of metals from samples of river water, well water, or soil samples.
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| Supplement |
Experimental procedure, instructor notes, Beer's law plots of the metal standards, and the section on environmental concerns are available.
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 Contents |
JCE2004p0259W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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| Download |
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| More Information |
Citation |
Baird, Michael J. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 259.
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Keywords |
Analytical Chemistry; Atomic Spectroscopy; Environmental Chemistry; Green Chemistry; Industrial Chemistry; Inquiry-Based / Discovery Method; Laboratory Instruction; Metals
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
January 5, 2004
February 25, 2005
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
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February
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