Prof. Dr. Christian Wolkersdorfer

Calculation of the Redoxpotential from the Reading of the ORP-Probe (“Redox Compensation”)

Measuring the redox potential of an aqueous solution is essential to understand the conditions within that solution. Yet, redox probes usually do not show the redox potential of the solution as a reference to the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), but as the potential of the probe in relation to the solution. For a first estimation of the redox-potential of the solution, adding +200 mV to the reading of the probe gives a close value of the real situation. Yet, for a detailed study, the redox potential needs to be calculated form the reading and the temperature of the solution. In most cases, this is done by using a two-step-approach: first the temperature compensation and then the redox compensation using two tables or nonograms. Yet, the procedure can substantially be simplified by using an equation, as published by Wolkersdorfer (2008). This equation uses the solution’s temperature T [°C] and the ORP reading of the electrode Et [mV] as well as the Nernst-Equation and two constants a and b to calculate the redox potential relative to the SHE:

E0(25°C) = Et – 0.198 × (T - 25) + √(ab × T)                            [equation 1]

Let’s assume an “Ag/AgCl, KCl, 3 mol/L“ redox electrode was used and a temperature of 11.5 °C and an ORP reading of 194 mV obtained. The above equation 1 then becomes:

E0(25°C) = 194 – 0.198 × (11.5 – 25) + √(50301 297 × 11.5) mV =

                194 + 2.673 + 216.531 mV = 413 mV (410 mV according to DIN 38404-6)

 Here you can find my pH average calculator

Online Calculator

GER-0906-MP5b measured potential, mV temperature, °C Type of Probe
measured values
Redox Potential (SHE), mV RESULT SHE ± 5 mV  
pE, – RESULT pE    

© Christian Wolkersdorfer 2017– (V 1.3 20210610)

Electrode type a b
“Silberchlorid”, “Argenthal”, “Silamid” Ag/AgCl, KCl, 1 mol/L 62755 284
“Silberchlorid”, “Argenthal”, “Silamid” Ag/AgCl, KCl, 3 mol/L 50301 297
“Silberchlorid”, “Argenthal”, “Silamid” Ag/AgCl, KCl, 3.5 mol/L 49083 310
“Silberchlorid”, “Argenthal”, “Silamid” Ag/AgCl, KCl, saturated 47591 356
“Calomel” Hg/Hg₂C₂, KCl, 0.1 mol/L 112238 58
“Calomel” Hg/Hg₂C₂, KCl, 1 mol/L 82571 183
“Calomel” Hg/Hg₂C₂, KCl, saturated 67798 324
“Thalamid” Tl, Hg/TlCl, KCl, 3,5 mol/L
“Quecksilbersulfat” Hg/Hg₂SO₄, K₂SO₄, saturated 451702 1.090
Ag/AgCl, KCl, 4 mol/L 56544 287
Hanna Ag/AgCl, KCl, 1 mol/L 69791 196
Hanna Ag/AgCl, KCl, 3 mol/L 49296 298
Hanna Ag/AgCl, KCl, 3.5 mol/L 50301 297
Hanna Ag/AgCl, KCl, saturated 49655 401
Hach Ag/AgCl, KCl, 3 mol/L 50301 297
WTW SenTix ORP Ag/AgCl 3 KCl mol/L, Au 50301 297
WTW SenTix PtR 47591 356
DIN Ag/AgCl/KCl, 1 mol/L (DIN correction 1: 2018-06-29) 62647 277
DIN Ag/AgCl/KCl, 3 mol/L (DIN correction 1: 2018-06-29) 50239 298
DIN Ag/AgCl/KCl, 3.5 mol/L (DIN correction 1: 2018-06-29) 49525 328
DIN Ag/AgCl/KCl, saturated (DIN correction 1: 2018-06-29) 48852 404
Troll 9500 46230 328
Knick SE 564, SE 554, SE 565 50301 297

Equation provides redox values with an error of ± 5 mV between 5 and 65 °C. The online calculator uses up to 7 decimal places.

Contact

Prof. Dr Christian Wolkersdorfer

German Address South African Address

christian@wolkersdorfer.info
www.wolkersdorfer.info

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