Total Solids calculation step by step
Total solids, total volatile solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids
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1. STEP 1 : Gather data
2. STEP 2 : Calculate the total solid
3. STEP 3 : Calculate volatile and suspended solids concentrations
4. STEP 4 : Total dissolved solids calculation
The knowledge of the total solids amount in a water stream is a basic data for all environmental engineering calculations such as the design of wastewater systems. This page is explaining how to calculate the total solids and total dissolved solids from water analysis data.
1. STEP 1 : Gather data
In order to calculate the total solids of a water stream, it is necessary to take a sample of the water and then deliver it to a laboratory for analysis. Then the Engineer must gather the following data from the lab :
Vsample = the sample size, in liters, must be known (l)
mdish = tare mass of evaporating dish (g)
m1 = mass of evaporating dish + residue after evaporation
at 105c (g)
m2 = mass of evaporating dish + residue after ignition at
550c (g)
mfilter = tare mass of filter (Whatman GF/C filter) after
drying at 105c (g)
m3 = mass of filter + residue after drying at 105 c (g)
m4 = mass of filter + residue after ignition at 550c (g)
2. STEP 2 : Calculate the total solid
The total solids (TS) in the water can be calculated with the following formula from the analysis results:
TS = (m1 - mdish)
/ Vsample
With :
TS = total solids (g/l)
It is possible to express the total solids in mg/l by multiplying
the result by 1000 mg/g
3. STEP 3 : Calculate volatile and suspended solids
concentrations
The analysis from evaporating dish and filter allow to calculate other relevant data about the solids in the water sample.
Total Volatile solids (TVS) calculation :
TVS = (m1 - m2)
/ Vsample
With :
TVS = total volatile solids (g/l)
It is possible to express the total volatile solids in mg/l by
multiplying the result by 1000 mg/g
Total suspended solids (TSS) calculation :
TSS = (m3 - mfilter)
/ Vsample
With :
TSS = total suspended solids (g/l)
It is possible to express the total suspended solids in mg/l by
multiplying the result by 1000 mg/g
Volatile suspended solids (VSS) calculation :
VSS = (m3 - m4)
/ Vsample
With :
VSS = volatile suspended solids (g/l)
It is possible to express the volatile suspended solids in mg/l by
multiplying the result by 1000 mg/g
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4. STEP 4 : Total dissolved solids calculation
The concentrations calculated above allow to determine 2 other interesting concentration in wastewater treatment : the total dissolved solids (TDS) and the volatile dissolved solids (VDS).
Total dissolved solids (TDS) calculation :
TDS = TS - TSS
With :
TDS = total dissolved solids (mg/l)
TS = total solids (mg/l)
TSS = total suspended solids (mg/l)
Volatile dissolved solids (VDS) calculation :
VDS = TVS - VSS
With :
VDS = volatile dissolved solids (mg/l)
TVS = total volatile solids (mg/l)
VSS = volatile suspended solids (mg/l)
5. Total Solids in Water calculator Excel
MyEngineeringTools.com has developed a free Excel calculator that allows you to calculate the different total solids values defined above from the experimental data defined above : Total Solids in Water calculator Excel
Warning : this calculator is provided to illustrate the concepts mentioned in this webpage, it is not intended for detail design. It is not a commercial product, no guarantee is given on the results. Please consult a reputable designer for all detail design you may need.
Sources
[Chopey] Handbook of Chemical Engineering calculations, Chopey et al, McGraw Hill, 2004