An automatic titrator based on a multicommutated unsegmented flow system: Its application to acid–base titrations Original Research Article

A continuous flow methodology to perform acid–base titrations is described. The titrations are carried out on a multicommutated flow system which simulates batch titration procedures. The titration strategy is based on sequential insertion of increasing titrant and decreasing titrand volumes in a reactor, thus accomplishing complete titration curves. The assessment of the titration end point is similar to that of conventional batch procedures. The theoretical model for the determination of titrand concentration without requiring any calibration process is presented and discussed. The present system was evaluated in vinegar acidity determinations and provided an accuracy better than 3% with a good repeatability (relative standard deviation (RSD) = 2.5%; n = 10) and reproducibility (RSD < 5%). The titration accuracy is time-dependent and has been tested in the 2–10 min range.