Hanna Instruments HI 3838 User Manual

Instruction Manual

HI 3838

Formaldehyde

Test Kit

www.hannainst.com

Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a Hanna Product.
Please read the instruction sheet carefully before using the

test kit. It will provide you with the necessary information
for correct use of the kit. If you need additional information,
do not hesitate to e-mail us at [e-mail].

Remove the chemical test kit from the packing material and
examine it carefully to make sure that no damage has
occurred during shipping. If there is any noticeable damage,
notify your Dealer or the nearest Hanna office immediately.

Each kit is supplied with:

• Alizarin Yellow R Indicator, 1 bottle (15 mL) with

• Sodium Sulfite, 1 bottle (30 g);

• HI 3838-0 Reagent Titrant Solution, 1 bottle

• Plastic spoon;

• Plastic bottle;

• Calibrated 10 mL vessel;

• Filter cartridge;

• Calibrated titration syringe

• Plungers.

Note: Any damaged or defective item must be returned in

SPECIFICATIONS

dropper;

(120 mL);

its original packing materials.

SPECIFICATIONS

Range 0 to 1% Formaldehyde

0 to 10% Formaldehyde

Analysis Method Acid titration using

sodium sulfite and hydrochloric acid
Sample Size 0.5 mL and 5 mL
Number of Tests 110 (average)
Case Dimensions 260x120x60 mm (10.2x4.7x2.4")
Shipping Weight 910 g (2 lbs.)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

Formaldehyde is used widely in industry. Its duties vary
from holding dyes onto fabrics, to assisting in the electroplating
of metals. Each application uses different levels of formaldehyde
and requires monitoring to optimize its given purpose.

The Hanna Formaldehyde Test Kit makes monitoring easy,
quick and safe. The compact size gives the user the versatility
to use the kit practically anywhere. The design of the kit
makes it practically impossible to spill the reagents, thereby
reducing the possibility of injury or damage to property.

CHEMICAL REACTION

The formaldehyde concentration is determined by a simple
acid titration. The formaldehyde, in the aqueous sample,
reacts with Sodium Sulfite to form an alkaline product. This
product is then titrated to a Yellow Alizarin R yellow
endpoint, using a prestandardized hydrochloric acid solution:

CH2O+Na2SO

CH2O4SNa2+2HCl → 2NaCl+SO2+H2O+CH2O

→ CH

3

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The chemicals contained in this kit may be hazardous if
improperly handled. Read Health and Safety Data Sheet
before performing this test.

REFERENCES

Reagent Chemicals, A.C.S., 7th Edition, page 301.

ISTR3838R2 10/02 PRINTED IN ITALY

2O4

SNa

INSTRUCTIONS

READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THE TEST KIT

HIGH RANGE - 0 to 10% Formaldehyde

• Take the titration syringe and push
plunger completely into the syringe.
Insert tip into water sample and
pull plunger out until the lower
edge of the plunger seal is on the

0.5 mL mark of the syringe.

• Place syringe tip into the cap port
of the plastic vessel and add the
water sample.

• Fill the empty plastic bottle with
tap water and insert the filter
cartridge into the mouth of the
bottle.

• Remove the cap from the vessel,
add the water contained in the
bottle to the 5 mL mark and replace
the cap.

• Add 2 drops of Alizarin Yellow R Indicator through
the cap port and mix carefully swirling the vessel in
tight circles.

2

• If the solution is a red-orange color,
then slowly add HI 3838-0 Reagent
Titrant Solution dropwise, by mean
of the syringe, until the solution
turns yellow.

• Take the titration syringe and push
plunger completely into the syringe.
Insert tip into HI 3838-0 Reagent
Titrant Solution and pull plunger
out until the lower edge of the
plunger seal is on the 0 mL mark
of the syringe.

• Place syringe tip into the cap port
of the plastic vessel and slowly add
the titration solution dropwise,
swirling to mix after each drop.
Continue adding titration solution
until the solution in the plastic
vessel turns from red-orange to
yellow.

• Read off the milliliters of titration solution from the
syringe scale, and multiply by 10 to obtain %
formaldehyde in the sample.

x 10 = %

LOW RANGE - 0 to 1% Formaldehyde

If result is lower than 1%, the precision of the test can be
improved by following the steps below.

• Remove the cap from the plastic
vessel. Rinse it with the water
sample, fill to the 5 mL mark and
replace the cap.

• Proceed with the titration as for the high range test.

• Read off the milliliters of titration solution from the syringe
scale: this is the % formaldehyde in the sample.

= %

Note: Push and twist pipet tip onto tapered end of syringe

ensuring an air-tight fit.

ACCESSORIES

• If the solution is yellow, remove the
cap. Add 2 scoops of Sodium Sulfite
and mix until solids dissolve. If
formaldehyde is present, the solution
will be a red-orange color.

2

HI 3838-100 Spare reagents (100 tests)