156. The Official Volumetric Method.—This process may be used for nitrogen in any form of combination.[133]

The apparatus and reagents needed are as follows:

Combustion tube of best hard Bohemian glass, about sixty-six centimeters long and 12.7 millimeters internal diameter.

Azotometer of at least 100 cubic centimeters capacity, accurately calibrated.

Sprengel mercury air-pump.

Small paper scoop, easily made from stiff writing paper.

Coarse cupric oxid.—To be ignited and cooled before using.

Fine cupric oxid.—Prepared by pounding ordinary cupric oxid in a mortar.

Metallic copper.—Granulated copper, or fine copper gauze, reduced and cooled in a current of hydrogen.

Sodium bicarbonate.—Free from organic matter.