Conversion from Baumé to S.G.

A. SG= 145/ (145-Be)

A. I have a similar formula, but as follows: Sp.gr. = 146/ (146 - Be) Note that this is only accurate at 20 deg. C. The result from my formula will be slightly more accurate according to the published data from our sulfuric acid supplier, for these two related values. (Splitting hairs here.) Some hydrometers are graduated in either scale.

A. According to the CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics [adv: on Amazon & AbeBooks & eBay affil links] of Chemistry and Physics, 145 is the correct number to use in the formulas already mentioned.

A. Hi there,

Here is the full conversion calculation,

SG = 141.5/(131.5+API)- for oils
SG = 140/(130+deg Baumé) - for liquid lighter than water
SG =145/(145-deg Baumé) - for liquid heavier than water

best wishes,

A. I totally agree with Mr. Ahmed Al-Terkait.

But an educated Engineer should know there is no A R A B I A N Gulf in the world! It is always PERSIAN GULF and your money can't change the historical name which is far older than arabian countries like yours opinion!

A. Hi. 145 is just a number that works to convert degrees Baumé to Specific Gravity. The Wikipedia article explains the origin and purpose of the Baumé scale. Good luck.

Regards,

Q. Mr. Ted Mooney,
Thanks a lot for your answer sir ...
still the question is about the number itself and not the Baumé scale or the formula.
It's about how do they get to put this number, not another number ... like why we use 145 for liquids heavier than water and use SG = 140/(130+deg Baumé) - for liquids lighter than water in the other formula..
Still looking for word to help as soon as possible.
Thanks again.

All respect

A. Hello again Salee.

Sorry, but I don't think you are going to get satisfaction. As related in the Wikipedia article, the scale originally was based on the density of various amounts of sodium chloride dissolved in water at 16 °C. But as Wikipedia relates, the scale is inexact, vague, and ambiguous, so some handbooks cite 144 for the "heavier than water" scale, and other books cite 145, and other people cite 146. You're not going to be successful in putting a fine point on it because those constants are not based on any physical quantity, they are simply people's efforts to correlate an unreliable and vague scale to the more exacting S.G. scale. Good luck.

Regards,

A. Hi Salee

As Ted says Baumé is "inexact, vague, and ambiguous". Even if you understand it, chances are that others will make mistakes.
The simple solution is to change to specific gravity (SG) - understood by all worldwide and no more mistakes in conversion.

Thanks for you both :
Mr Ted Mooney
Mr Geoff Smith
for your answers ..

All respect

Hi Marinela. I'm not a chemist, but I can do algebra, so I'd say --

Ideally the two equations would converge at S.G. = 1.0, such that:

S.G. = 1 = 140/(130+deg Baumé) = 145/(145-deg Baumé)

But they don't and can't converge,
because the first gives S.G. = 1.0 at a Baumé of 10, while the second gives S.G. = 1.0 at a Baumé of 0.

So I guess the answer is, try the "lighter than water" conversion factor, and if the answer comes out that S.G. > 1, then re-do the conversion with the other formula.
And if it then comes out that S.G. < 1, re-read Geoff's advice :-)

Regards,