autotitrator

An autotitrator is an automated laboratory instrument used to perform titrations. Titration is a common analytical method used to determine the concentration of a substance, known as the analyte, by reacting it with a solution of known concentration, called the titrant. An autotitrator automates the process of adding the titrant, monitoring the reaction, and detecting the endpoint.

These instruments typically consist of a titrant delivery system, a stirring mechanism, and a sensor for detecting the endpoint. The titrant delivery system precisely dispenses small volumes of titrant, often controlled by a pump or a burette with a stepper motor. The stirring mechanism ensures thorough mixing of the analyte and titrant, leading to a faster and more accurate reaction. The endpoint detection is usually achieved using a potentiometric sensor, such as a pH electrode or a conductivity sensor, which measures changes in the solution's properties as the reaction progresses.

Autotitrators offer several advantages over manual titration. They provide increased accuracy and precision due to the automated control over titrant addition and endpoint detection. This automation also significantly reduces the time and labor required for repetitive titrations, allowing chemists to process more samples. Furthermore, autotitrators can often perform complex titration methods, such as stepwise titrations or titrations requiring specific temperature control, which can be challenging to achieve manually. They are widely used in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, food and beverage testing, and chemical manufacturing, for applications like determining acid-base content, water content (Karl Fischer titration), and the concentration of various ions.