Versatile Optical IR Sensing Turbidity Analyser With Modular Multi-Parameter Measurement

With its optical infrared (IR) sensor and intelligent transmitter, the two channel Triton® Turbidity Analyser from US-based Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD) combines precision turbidity analysis with the flexibility to add a second measurement, including dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, oxygen reduction potential (ORP),  conductivity or various pION parameters.

Accurate measurement of turbidity (suspended solids) is important in a wide range of surface water, municipal water and wastewater treatment, and industrial water treatment applications.  Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a water sample, which is caused by suspended particles in the water that are typically clay and silt. Viruses and bacteria can attach themselves to the particles making turbidity a critical indicator of overall water quality.

ECD’s Turbidity Analyser is designed with the advanced Triton TR86 Turbidity Sensor and the sophisticated T80 Universal Transmitter. The result is accurate, reliable turbidity measurement with the capability to add one additional measurement parameter, providing plant technicians with the flexibility to add any of ECD’s intelligent S80 plug-n-play sensors to the process control loop.

The TR86 sensor measures suspended solids continuously in a choice of three separate ranges from 0 to 4000 NTU. With its optical IR sensing technology, the TR86 sensor emits an 850 nm beam of near infrared light into the sample where it is scattered by the particles suspended in the water. The amount of back scattered light returning to the sensor is then measured and correlated to the amount of suspended solid particulates in the water.

The measurement response of the TR86 sensor depends on the size, shape and composition of the suspended particles. For this reason, mg/L, ppm and % suspended solids must be calibrated with the monitored water sample. Turbidity measurements (NTU, FNU) can be calibrated with calibration standards such as Formazin, StablCal or SDVD beads.

The dependable TR86 sensor is accurate to 2 percent of reading, or 0.5 NTU, whichever is greater. It features built-in temperature compensation to ensure accuracy and operates over a wide temperature range from 32 to 122°F (-5 to 50°C) and at pressures up to 50 psi maximum in a flow cell configuration.

Designed for rugged wastewater treatment environments, the TR86 sensor is available with either side mounted or front axially mounted optics. These two options provide technicians with a choice to minimise interference from surfaces below the sensor (side-mount) or from surfaces around the sensor (axial front-mount). A built-in daylight rejection filter blocks sun light and reduces ambient light interference. The front mount configuration includes a copper ring sensor surround shield that inhibits the growth of algae and other biological films.

The TR86 sensors plug in directly to the T80 Universal Transmitter and are pre-set at the factory to the desired range. The T80 transmitter functions as either a single or dual channel transmitter with one or two 4-20 mA outputs, MODBUS RTU and optional alarm relays (three) or HART 7 communication. The T80 transmitter’s highly intelligent electronics allow suspended solids turbidity measurement to be combined with any of ECD’s intelligent S80 sensors for  pH, ORP, conductivity, DO or pION.

Installing the Triton Turbidity Analyser is simple with a 1-inch stand pipe for immersion service or with ECD’s PVC flow cell for an in-line flow through application. Either the side-mount or front-mount configuration of the TR86 sensor is suitable for immersion service. The side mount configuration must be used for in-line service.