Low Level Iron [Fe (II)]

DR 900 Analytical Procedure AP-22/900

SPECIFICATIONS
Method: Colorimetric (DR 900)
Range: 10 to 150 ppb as Fe(II)
Testing Time: 15 minutes

DESCRIPTION
Boiler systems are typically constructed of steel and
other iron-based alloys. The Fe(II) test measures the
fresh products of corrosion reactions in low oxygen
environments. The Fe(II) test does not react with
iron in the Fe(III) oxidation state or iron in the
form of oxide particles. Oxide particles are often
returned to boilers from the condensate system
and are very likely to cause deposits on the heat
transfer surfaces. The total iron test digests iron
oxide particles as well as reacting with Fe(II). The
amount of iron in the Fe(III) state and the iron
Nalco DR 900 Colorimeter
contained in oxide particles can be determined by
subtracting the Fe(II) value from the value of the
total iron test.
Description Part No.
Nalco DR 900 Colorimeter 400-P0900.88
ORDERING INFORMATION Wash bottle, 8 oz/250 mL 500-P0237.88
Order all replacement parts and reagents by their Sample cells, 10-20-25 mL
part numbers. To be sure this product is compatible w/cap, 6/pkg 500-P2555.88
with your treatment program, contact your local Stopper, plastic, for 50 mL test tube 500-P2505.88
Nalco representative. Items marked with an “*” Volumetric test tube, 50 mL
are included with the kit or set. To place your (2 required) 500-P3004.88
order, please contact your local customer service
department. Optional Parts and Reagents
Description Size Part No.
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND REAGENTS 1:1 HCl 1.7 oz/50 mL 460-S0726.71
Required Parts and Reagents 1:1 HCl 3.4 oz/100 mL 460-S0726.72
1:1 HCl 16.9 oz/500 mL 460-S0726.74
Description Size Part No. 1:1 HCl 34.8 oz/1 L 460-S0726.75
Fe(II) Reagent 3.4 oz/100 mL 460-S0799.72 1:1 HCl 1.06 gal/4 L 460-S0726.77
Description Part No. sample along the side to minimize splashing and
Lab thermometer, –10 to 260°C, glass 500-P2020.88 turbulence. If the sample is expected to be less than
Lab thermometer, 0 to 230°F, glass 500-P2028.88 20 ppb Fe(II), duplicate samples are recommended.
Dial thermometer, 50 to 300°F 500-P2019.88
At the end of the test, clean glassware before
Digital thermometer, –40 to 450°F 500-P2098.88
running subsequent tests by rinsing with 1:1 HCl
(460-S0726) followed by several rinses with Fe(II)-
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS free water.
Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
specific reagent personal safety and disposal INTERFERENCES
information.
The following may interfere when present in con-
centrations exceeding those listed below.
SUPPORT
If you have any questions regarding this procedure, 1 mg/L = 1 ppm
please contact your Nalco representative. In North Amine, 200 ppm
America you can also contact the Equipment Help neutralizing (Results will be lower than actual.)
Desk at 630-305-CHEM. Amine, 5 ppm
filming (Results will be lower than actual.)
Cobalt 0.1 ppm
IRON FREE WATER
(Results will be higher by at least 2 ppb.)
Fe(II)-free water is necessary for this test. Hinckley
Cu+1 0.1a ppm
and Schmitt, Inc. distilled water is acceptable. The
(Results will be higher by at least 2 ppb.)
absence of Fe(II) can be verified by performing the
Fe(II) procedure using 50 mL of untreated water EDTA 5b ppm
from the iron-free water source as the blank solution as CaCO3 (Results will be lower than actual.)
and a 50-mL sample of the same source treated Oxygen, >0.02 b,c ppm
with 1 mL of Fe(II) Reagent (460-S0799.72) as the dissolved (Results will be lower than actual.)
prepared sample. The test result should be less All-polymer 2000 ppm
than 2 ppb. boiler products (Results will be lower than than actual.)
Phosphate, PO4 100 ppm
TUBE CLEANING (Results will be lower than actual.)

New tubes, or tubes that have been used for other

test procedures, should be cleaned prior to use to
None of the other components expected to be found
eliminate potential iron contamination from the
in boiler feedwaters (e.g., hardness, alkalinity, silica,
glass. This can be accomplished by treating the
etc.) have been reported as interferences.
50-mL volumetric test tubes with Fe-4 Reagent
(460-S0451.72). Add 2 mL of Fe-4 to each tube, fill a
Cu+2 will interfere if it is reduced to Cu+1.
with iron free water, stopper and invert. Then al- b
Oxygen concentrations greater than 20 ppb in the
low the tubes to stand at room temperature (25°C
sample stream will significantly interfere with
or 77°F) for at least 12 hours or place the tubes in a
Fe(II) determination. Results will appear lower
90°C (190°F) water bath for 30 minutes. If heating, be
than what is actually present. Chelant in the
sure to allow for expansion of the liquid in the tube.
presence of oxygen concentrations greater than
20 ppb will have an even greater impact.
SAMPLING c
The presence of dissolved oxygen in the sample
Sample must be collected from a steady (unbroken) stream will oxidize the Fe(II) to Fe(III) and
flowing stream directly into the reagent with a mini- produce lower Fe(II) results.
mum of turbulence. Collect in clean 50-mL mixing
volumetric test tubes, tilting the tube to collect the
LOW LEVEL IRON Fe(II) DR 900 PROCEDURE

Special Note: Sampling Techniques are very important. Refer to “Sampling” for specific instructions.

Start

1 2 3 4
Start Program Add exactly 1 mL of Fe(II) Fill one tube to the 50-mL Use the other tube to collect
Reagent to each of two clean mark with iron-free water. sample directly from the
734 Iron FE II LL 50-mL volumetric test tubes. Stopper and invert two times. sampling point. Fill to the
This is the blank. 50-mL mark. Stopper and
Note: Test tubes must be invert two times. This is the
well cleaned prior to use; Note: Fe(II)–free water prepared sample.
see TUBE CLEANING is necessary for this test;
Note: When collecting
section. see IRON FREE WATER
sample, hold the tube
section.
at an angle to minimize
splashing and turbulence.
When properly capped
and pretreated with Fe(II)
Reagent, the prepared
sample will remain stable
up to 48 hours.

Zero

5 6 7 8
Start TIMER 1 When the timer beeps, rinse Place the blank solution into Press: ZERO
sample cell with a portion of the cell holder and tightly
A ten-minute reaction period blank solution and discard cover the sample cell with The cursor will move to the
will begin. the solution. Fill the cell to the instrument cap. right, then the display will
the 10 mL mark with more of show:
Note: Wait the full ten the blank solution. 0 µg/L Fe II
minutes for proper color
development to occur.
 Read

9 10
10 11
Rinse another sample cell Place the prepared sample Press: READ
with a portion of the prepared into the cell holder and tightly
sample solution and discard cover the sample cell with The cursor will move to the
the solution. Fill the cell to the instrument cap. right, then the result in µg/L
the 10 mL mark with more of Fe (II) will be displayed.
the prepared sample.

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