Refractometer SOP
Primary Equipment:
Refractometer
Created: August 24, 2006 by Bob Cox
Revised: February 24, 2010 by Bob Cox
University of Utah, Chemical Engineering
- Set the bath temperature to 20 degrees C.
- Open the prism and place approximately two drops of the liquid sample on the bottom prism. Use care not to touch the prism surface with the dropper. Common samples are 2-proponol and ethylene glycol. Check with lab instructor to insure you have the correct sample.
- Close the prism case and place the lamp close to the prism. Turn on the lamp.
- Adjust the hand wheel on the right side of the instrument until the viewer appears light above and dark below the center horizontal line.
- Adjust the compensator dial on the front until the image in the viewer shows a sharp line between light and dark.
- Adjust the hand wheel on the right side until the horizontal line in the viewer passes between the crosshairs.
- Depress and hold the switch on the left and read the R.I value.
- Clean the prism with acetone and a Kimwipe.