5 Tips for Getting Accurate Chemical Measurements in a Lab or Processing Facility

If you work in a laboratory or a similar environment where you need to measure out chemicals, you need to ensure that your measurements are correct. Even the smallest errors may throw off the final product. To ensure you get the right chemical dosages, consider the following tips.

1. Make Sure the Measuring Materials Are Clean

When you're dealing with small dosages, even the tiniest bit of leftover chemicals from the last sample can throw off your reading. To ensure that your reading is accurate, make sure that all of your materials such as measuring cups, scale platforms and other items are clean. It's also important to ensure they are dry—you don't want water weight throwing off your sample either.

2. Consider Weight-Based Measurements

In some cases, volume-based measurements can work. However, depending on the chemicals or material being measured, volume may not be the most effective or accurate option.

To explain, imagine that you are measuring flour. If you pack it down, you can fit a lot more in the measuring cup than you can if you leave the flour fluffy. This scenario can apply to a range of different materials.

However, if you measure your materials by weight, there's nothing you can do to alter their density. You will always get an accurate measurement as long as your scales are working correctly.

3. Make Sure to Calibrate Your Scales

If you are measuring chemicals by weight, you need to ensure that your scales are well calibrated. You may want to check them on a regular basis and have them calibrated by a professional as needed.

4. Consider Using Chemical Dosing Pumps

To truly get an accurate measurement, you may want to consider investing in a chemical dosing pump. These pumps are the most accurate way to ensure that you get the most accurate measurement possible. You can buy different pumps for different measurements, and there are also many pumps that can be adjusted whilst you own them.

5. Keep an Eye on the Finished Product

Finally, to help ensure that your measurements are accurate, you may also want to keep an eye on the finished project. For instance, if you are putting chlorine into a water supply, you may want to check the pH of the water, and if it's off, that's a sign that the measuring tools may not be working correctly. You can follow similar protocol with other substances.