The method describes how to determine the sulfate content of water by means of a photometric cuvette test.
Water intended for use as an ingredient in the production of beer (brewing liquor) or other foods
Determining sulfate ions in water is important for evaluating its capacity to attack concrete and mortar. The concentration of sulfate ions has an impact on the choice of treatment techniques and therefore on the chemicals used for boiler feed water and for coolants. In brewing liquor, it can affect the character of the beer.
In the presence of barium chloride, sulfate ions form barium sulfate, which is only slightly soluble in water. The turbidity produced by doing so is determined with a photometer.