Bulk Volume Determination by Modified Water Displacement Method

Abstract

In this work, a modified water displacement method (MWDM) was designed and used alongside geometry method (GEM), overflow method (OFM) and water displacement method (WDM) for determination of bulk volume of a porous solid. Their results were analyzed graphically and statistically. On testing against the data obtained by Suspension/Buoyancy Method (SBM) used as gold standard, it was found that only those generated by the modified water displacement method (MWDM) were of very high accuracy and precision. Apart from its reproducibility being within the recommended range for acceptability of a test method, the technique is cost-effective and easy to apply even with an ungraduated glass cylindrical tube. This can go a long way in enhancing thorough physical characterization of porous solids without the use of high cost, sophisticated and complex equipment.