I am trying to calculate a chemical formula. How do I calculate the empirical formula when ash is present in the percentage composition?
Example-
- C- 47.7%
- H- 7.2%
- N- 1.8%
- S- 0.9%
- O- 38.0%
- Ash- 4.4%
Since the ash is present at 4.4%, which could not be added into a chemical formula, should I exclude it?
If yes, should I just use the current percentage composition and neglect ash OR find the new percentage composition based on the sum of 95.6 g of other compositions?
For context, above is the composition of wastewater, where it is almost impossible to accurately obtain the composition of ash due to multiple components and mixtures available in it.
How do I solve this issue?