Abstract: A method is provided for accurately determining the complexing capacity (or free HF concentration) of a pickling liquor. A sample of pickling liquor is obtained and an excess of ferric ion is added thereto to complex with all of the free HF in the sample. A back titration is performed to determine the residual free ferric ion. The difference between the amount of ferric ion added and that found by the titration is related to the free HF in the original sample.The method is useful in conjunction with an automated, on-line system which periodically monitors a pickling bath and makes any necessary adjustments thereto.

Abstract: An ion-sensitive electrode, usable for measuring the activity or concentration of a predetermined ion in a fluid stream of an industrial process, includes a vessel partially filled with an electrolyte and fabricated with one wall portion thereof comprising a rigid, porous fritted back-up element and a relatively thin, ion-sensitive, non-porous membrane. Being preferably made of the same ion-sensitive material as the membrane, the back-up element is produced using a sintering process which results in a porous solid having maze-like passages extending randomly therethrough in all directions. One surface of the back-up element is fused to and supports a thin layer of ion-sensitive material that has been applied to the back-up element, heated to its molten working temperature and then cooled to form the non-porous membrane. Located within the vessel, the back-up element also serves to transport the electrolyte through its passages for wetting the interior surface of the thin membrane fused to the back-up element.

Abstract: An amperometric analysis system and method includes a flow tube constituting the amperometric cell in which magnetic flow metering electrodes function also as the counter and test electrodes for amperometric measurement. By combining the magnetic flow measurement with the amperometric measurement, additional electrodes are not needed to obtain the flow signal for compensating the amperometric measurement. Ultrasonic drivers are mounted on the end of the shank of the counter and test electrodes and driven by an ultrasonic oscillator to activate the electrodes to keep them clean. Complementary cleaning can be obtained through the simultaneous application of an electrochemical anodic pulse. The system includes a three-electrode circuit potentiostat in which the potential of the test electrode is fixed versus a reference electrode and the current flows between the test electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: An automatic titration system and method in which the titrant is generated electrolytically and a two-position slider type ceramic sample valve, reliably, accurately and repetitively obtains a volumetric sample from a process loop and introduces it to a titration cell containing a generator or working compartment and an auxiliary compartment separated by a porous frit. The system also includes a two-position slider type ceramic reagent valve for introducing reagent into the titration cell. Titrant created at a generator electrode surface is dispersed into the bulk of the solution by a magnetically coupled impeller in the working compartment which mixes and also pumps the contents of the cell through the reagent and sample valves in a closed loop. Generator and auxiliary electrodes are connected to a current source which provides the electrolysis current.