HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kennedy, J. G. Articles by Stribley, R. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Kennedy, J. G. Articles by Stribley, R. C.

A Suggested Modification of the Toluene Distillation Method for Moisture Determination in Milk Powders

Wyeth Laboratories, Inc., Mason, Michigan

ABSTRACT

In the toluene distillation method for determining moisture in milk powders, as specified by the American Dry Milk Institute, several difficulties may be encountered.

1. Toluene is inflammable and presents a hazard unless the cork stoppers fit perfectly.
   
2. Heaters are usually of the open coil element type and add to the fire hazard.
   
3. Heaters with rheostat type controls and open coil elements are difficult to adjust to maintain a constant distillation rate.
   
4. The flat bottom of the Erlenmeyer flask, with local exposure to the high heat, gives conditions ideal for scorching the powder sample unless the determination is watched almost constantly and the apparatus shaken frequently.
   

These difficulties may be overcome by certain modifications in the equipment.

In the suggested modification the following apparatus changes are made.

1. Standard taper, 24/40, ground joints are used for all connections.
   
2. The receiver is a Pyrex, Bidwell and Sterling type graduated to 5 ml. in 0.1-ml. divisions.
   
3. The 300-ml. Erlenmeyer flask is replaced by a 500-ml. round bottom, short neck boiling flask.
   
4. The heater with rheostat is replaced by a Glas-col heating mantle and a variable transformer is used to control the heat.