Gravimetric Methods

Among the available techniques for moisture analysis, gravimetric methods are widely employed due to their accuracy and simplicity. These methods involve determining the moisture content by measuring the weight change of a sample before and after drying.

How to do moisture analysis using Gravimetric Methods

  1. Sample Preparation: A representative sample of the material is collected and weighed accurately.
  2. Drying: The sample is placed in an oven at a specified temperature until it reaches constant weight. Constant weight indicates that all the moisture has been removed.
  3. Cooling and Re-weighing: The dried sample is allowed to cool to room temperature in a desiccator. It is then re-weighed accurately.
  4. Moisture Content Calculation: The moisture content is calculated by subtracting the weight of the dried sample from the initial weight and dividing the difference by the initial weight. The result is multiplied by 100 to express as a percentage.
  • Advantages:
    • Accurate and reliable results
    • Applicable to a wide range of materials
    • Relatively simple and straightforward
  • Disadvantages:
    • Time-consuming process
    • May require large sample sizes
    • Can be affected by external factors like temperature and humidity