901 Titrando

Significance of the topic

The determination of water content by Karl Fischer titration remains a cornerstone in analytical chemistry due to its specificity, speed and broad application range. Accurate moisture analysis is critical across industries—pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics and petrochemicals—to ensure product quality, stability and compliance with regulatory standards. Integrating modern automation and digital traceability further enhances laboratory efficiency and data integrity.

Objectives and article overview

This application note presents the design, capabilities and operational workflow of the Metrohm 901 Titrando—an intelligent Karl Fischer titrator. It aims to showcase the instrument’s automated dosing elements, digital sensor integration, software control and compliance with industry regulations. The document highlights key features that facilitate rapid titrations, user-friendly guidance and seamless data management.

Methodology and used instrumentation

The 901 Titrando system couples volumetric Karl Fischer titration (0.1 %–100 % water) with:

• 803 KF Titration Stand for conditioning, solvent handling and reduced reagent exposure.
• Dosino dosing units (800 series with 807 Dosing Units) featuring microprocessor-controlled buret cylinders (2–50 mL) and integrated Data Chips for reagent identification.
• 854 iConnect intelligent electrodes (iTrodes) with on-chip A/D conversion, serial number recognition and digital signal transmission for interference-free potentiometry.
• Touch Control operation unit or tiamoTM 2.x software for method creation, sample management and LIMS integration.
• Optional sample changers (814/815 USB Sample Processor) and robotic automation interfaces.

Main results and discussion

The Titrando system demonstrated:

• Rapid conditioning and titration cycles with automatic reagent refill and cell protection via “safety stop” parameters.
• Unambiguous sensor identification and calibration traceability through Data Chips and digital measurement heads, eliminating mix-ups and ensuring consistent performance across instruments.
• Flexible user interface with Favorites, Quick Access menus and context-sensitive help, reducing training time and minimizing operating errors.
• Comprehensive digital data management—storage on USB, PC archive or client-server databases—and compliance with GMP/GLP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for audit trails and electronic signatures.
• Parallel titration capability enabling simultaneous analysis of two samples on a single titrator, boosting throughput.

Benefits and practical applications

• High specificity and broad dynamic range make the system suitable for diverse matrices.
• Automated dosing and sample handling reduce hands-on time and chemical exposure.
• Digital traceability of electrodes and reagents supports quality assurance and regulatory audits.
• Modular software and hardware allow laboratories to scale from standalone titrations to fully automated workflows.

Future trends and potential applications

Advancements in digital sensors, cloud-based data analytics and artificial intelligence will further streamline moisture analysis. Integration of external balance data via Bluetooth, advanced robotics and real-time process control is poised to expand into in-line and at-line measurements. Enhanced predictive maintenance for dosing elements and smart reagent consumption monitoring will optimize laboratory operations.

Conclusion

The Metrohm 901 Titrando represents a state-of-the-art solution for Karl Fischer titration, combining robust hardware, intelligent sensors and flexible software. Its automation features, digital traceability and regulatory compliance position it as a valuable asset for high-throughput and quality-focused laboratories.

Instrumentation

• 901 Titrando with touch control or PC-based tiamoTM software
• 803 KF Titration Stand
• 800 Dosino dosing modules with 807 Dosing Units (2–50 mL)
• 854 iConnect intelligent electrodes (iTrodes)
• 814/815 USB Sample Processor and Robotic Sample Processor XL (optional)
• External balance and printer interfaces via USB/Bluetooth