Common Laboratory
Equipment
VT WSMD Wastewater Program Lab Manual Section #4
Common Laboratory Equipment
COMMON LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
BALANCES
Different types of balances are available for various weighing tasks. It is important to use the correct
type of balance for each task. Among the simplest, but also the least accurate type of balance, is the
beam balance. This type usually has one or two pans and one to three beams on which weights are
moved to reach the balance point. Some beam balances have a dial rather than a slide which "fine
tunes" to the final balance point. A much more sensitive balance is the four-place analytical balance.
These balances are capable of weighing to the nearest 0.0001 gram or 0.1 mg. Four-place analytical
balances are available in many styles, with one or two pans and a variety of systems for adjusting the
weights. The electronic balances offer features that can simplify things a great deal while maintaining
an extraordinary degree of accuracy.
Beam Balances
Electronic Balances
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Common Laboratory Equipment
As with liquid measurements, the degree of precision required is usually given by the number of decimal
places in the weighing instructions. Crude weighings are done on the triple beam pan balance (e.g., 150
grams or 10 grams, etc.). Somewhat more precise weighings can be done on the torsion balance (e.g.,
3.1 g or 11.5 g., etc.). For weighings to two or more decimal places, such as 11.06 grams or 600
milligrams (0.600 g), the analytical balance must be used. Total suspended solids analyses must be
done on an analytical balance capable of weighing to the nearest 0.0001 gram (four-place analytical
balance).
Balance Care
Balances must be kept clean, free of chemical residues, dust, etc. The actual moving parts - the pans,
beams, and weights - should not be handled unless you are wearing gloves. Oils from your hands will be
transferred to these parts, changing the weight.
These balances are very sensitive; it is important to locate them in the least disturbed area possible. All
balances must be set up on a clean, hard, level surface. It is especially important that four-place
analytical balances be set up on a separate, very heavy table and isolated from the vibration of pumps,
hydraulic comminutors, blowers, etc.
Balances should ideally be in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment; however, this is
usually not possible in the treatment plant. Avoid setting up the four-place balance near doorways or
other sources of drafts, or in windows where sunlight will heat them up, or near ovens, furnaces, or
other heat-producing appliances.
Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for use.
Balance Servicing
Four-place analytical balances must be periodically serviced to maintain their accuracy. The absolute
minimum recommended interval between servicing is one year, with six-month intervals being
preferred. If the balance receives rough use or is in a location where it is subject to excessive dirt and
fumes, it may require servicing more often. This servicing will include a complete cleaning of the actual
moving parts, inspection and servicing of the knife edges, and calibration of the weights to be sure of
the accuracy of the balance. This servicing should only be done by qualified professionals. A number of
companies offer this service, and the prices vary depending on your location, the company doing the
servicing, and what repairs, if any, are required. Contact service companies for rates and services
provided. It is important to get on a schedule so that the servicing company can put you on the
technician's route. Servicing can be obtained from the following companies, among others:
TMDE Calibration Labs, Inc. Alert Scientific, Inc. MaineCal
839 River Road 469 School Street 42 Main Street
Richmond ME 04357 East Hartford, CT 06108-1138 Harrrison, ME 04040
(877) 863-3522 1-800-872-2028 (207) 583-2500
TMDE.com alertscientific.com mainecal.com
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Common Laboratory Equipment
pH Meters
Vermont regulations for wastewater analysis require the use of pH meters capable of delivering pH
accuracy of plus or minus 0.1 unit. The meter must also be capable of TWO-POINT CALIBRATION and
temperature compensation. A variety of pH probes are available for many different applications. Care
should be taken when ordering probes to assure that the probe matches the application.
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Common Laboratory Equipment
Dissolved Oxygen Meters
The dissolved oxygen meter is extremely useful in measuring dissolved oxygen levels in sludge, aeration
tanks, and when equipped with a stirring probe, for BOD measurements.
Centrifuges
Interior Mechanism
Centrifuges are commonly used in wastewater treatment facilities to estimate the suspended solids
concentration in the aeration tanks. It is important to treat the centrifuge with respect. For example, it
is extremely important to always balance the load in the centrifuge. Failure to do so can cause serious
difficulties resulting in broken test tubes or worse.
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Common Laboratory Equipment
Drying Ovens
Drying ovens can serve many purposes in the laboratory. (One purpose they are NOT intended for is
reheating food items!) A common use is in the drying of filtered samples for the analysis of Total
Suspended Solids. Drying ovens used for this purpose must be capable of maintaining a constant
temperature of 104°C, plus or minus only one (1) degree.
Vacuum Pumps
Most wastewater laboratories are equipped with vacuum pumps used for drawing samples through
some filtration apparatus. Filtration is necessary when performing analyses such as Total Suspended
Solids and Fecal Coliform.
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Common Laboratory Equipment
Incubators
BOD INCUBATOR
The incubator used for five-day incubation of BOD samples must be capable of maintaining a constant
temperature of 20° C plus or minus only one (1) degree. The number of BOD
analyses to be performed must be carefully considered before determining the size of the incubator to
be used. Incubators are not to be used as refrigerators to hold food!
DRY INCUBATOR
The Escherichia coli Bacteria analysis requires a two-hour "pre-incubation" period at 35°C. The
incubator used for this purpose must be capable of maintaining a constant temperature of 35°C plus or
minus 0.2 degrees.
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Common Laboratory Equipment
Water Bath
After pre-incubation at 35°C, the E Coli sample must be transferred to a water bath capable of
maintaining a constant temperature of 44.5°C plus or minus 0.2 degrees, for an additional 22 hours. The
water bath is also used for the Fecal Coliform analysis and other bacteriological analyses.
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