Process Analytics: Measuring pH, Dissolved Oxygen, and Conductivity

pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity are important parameters to measure in industrial processes because they can provide valuable information about the products' quality and safety. By measuring these parameters, industrial processes can ensure that they are operating within safe and optimal ranges, which can improve the quality and efficiency of the products.

pH

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, and it can significantly impact the behavior of chemicals in a process. 

There are several ways to measure pH in industrial processes, including using a pH meter, pH test strips, and indicator solutions. A pH meter is a commonly used instrument that measures the pH of a solution by using a probe to measure the electrical potential difference between the solution and a reference electrode. pH test strips are also commonly used in industrial processes, as they are quick and easy to use and provide a general indication of the pH of a solution. 

Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved oxygen is vital because many industrial processes involve biological organisms that require oxygen to survive and function properly. 

There are several ways to measure dissolved oxygen in industrial processes, but some of the most common methods include the following:

• Electrochemical sensors: These sensors use an electrode to measure dissolved oxygen concentration in a solution.
• Optical sensors: These sensors use light to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in a solution.
• Membrane-based sensors: These sensors use a thin membrane to separate the sample being measured from the oxygen-sensitive material, allowing for accurate dissolved oxygen levels.

Conductivity

Conductivity is a measure of the ability of a solution to conduct electricity. It can provide information about the concentration of ions in the solution, which can be helpful in various applications. 

Conductivity in industrial processes is typically measured using a conductivity meter. This device uses electrodes to pass an electrical current through a substance sample and measures the substance's resistance to the flow of electricity. The resistance converts into a conductivity reading, typically reported in units of siemens per meter (S/m).

It's worth noting that the most appropriate method for measuring dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH in industrial processes will depend on the application's specific requirements. It's always a good idea to consult with an expert in the field to determine the best method for your particular needs.

METTLER TOLEDO provides analytical transmitters for a wide range of analytics, including pH/ORP, oxygen, dissolved carbon dioxide and conductivity or resistivity. These analytical transmitters are the component within a measurement system that communicates displayed measurements to a user or higher level control system.  METTLER TOLEDO high-performance analytical transmitters offer compatibility with traditional analog sensors and digital sensors with METTLER TOLEDO's Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM).

Discuss your process analytics requirements with professional, skilled expert engineers. Alliance Technical Sales is available to assist in the application and specification of sensors, transmitters, and controllers for any industrial process. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Preserve CO₂ When Purging Beer Tanks With the Mettler Toledo InTap Portable Dissolved Oxygen Analyzer

A craft brewer uses CO₂ to purge oxygen from the headspace in bright beer tanks to reduce dissolved oxygen levels in final products. They used a time-based method to determine when to determine purge completion, but this is an imprecise method that can overuse expensive CO₂. METTLER TOLEDO provided the InTap portable oxygen analyzer to the craft brewer. InTap measures dissolved oxygen levels down to 2 ppb using a highly precise optical sensor, making it suitable for a wide range of brewery applications ranging from purging to monitoring filling lines.

This video discusses how a craft brewer reduced CO2 use with a convenient, portable oxygen meter.

It addresses critical issues concerning beer production, such as: 

• Complete tank purge determination.
• Why use a portable meter to measure dissolved oxygen? 
• How to Increase Your Product Quality Confidence

For more information about METTLER TOLEDO Process Analytics products in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin call Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Brewers, Make Oxygen More Your Friend, and Less Your Enemy. Check Out the Mettler Toledo InTap™ Portable Optical DO analyzer

InTap™ DO Analyzer 

Brewers have a complicated relationship with oxygen. 

At times oxygen is your friend. It's needed for barley germination. It's needed to synthesize fatty acids and sterols in yeast. And it improves colloidal stability. 

Oxygen is also one of the the brewers worst enemies. It has a significant effect on color. It lowers the  rate of wort separation. It can cause undesirable flavors. And is causes haze and makes finished beer stale.

By the way, we're talking about the dissolved oxygen (DO) in solution here. Not the external oxygen the water, wort, or beer tank headspace.

Fortunately Mettler Toledo provides instrumentation to assist brewers in they management of oxygen. Their InTap™ DO analyzer with optical technology, is both a portable measurement tool and a convenient calibration instrument. It facilitates measurement and calibration procedures in both process and laboratory settings, and reduces the risk of operator error.

The InTap™ portable oDO analyzer is a portable measurement device for dissolved oxygen

measurement and for calibration and data logging of optical dissolved oxygen ISM® sensors

(InPro® 6970i) installed in the process. The InTap™ and the sensors communicate via Bluetooth.

Measurement point tracking in the InTap™ portable dissolved oxygen meter allows operators to easily connect stored measurement data to different locations in production, making it easy to maintain records point-by-point for traceability and documentation purposes.

Reliable optical dissolved oxygen (DO) sensor technology is also available in the InTap™ portable meter for spot check and reference measurements. With Blue- tooth communication, hassle-free calibration of in-line DO sensors is done quickly and easily.

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For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. They can be reached by calling 630-321-9646 or by visiting their web site at https://alliancets.com.

A Better Way to Measure Dissolved Oxygen in Power Plant Pure Water Systems

In power plants, approximately half of unscheduled shutdowns can be traced to water cycle chemistry issues which involve costly repairs and lost operating revenue that can never be recovered. One of the most important parameters to measure to improve power plant water system efficiency is dissolved oxygen, DO. DO causes corrosion of components that contain iron and copper. Transport and deposits of these particles can also accelerate corrosion and damage critical plant equipment.

DO is measured at several locations in a water system. Traditionally, DO is measured with polarographic sensors, which use a gas permeable membrane to separate the sample from the electrochemical cell inside. Depending on the operating environment, polarographic sensors can require monthly electrolyte and membrane replacement.  After service, the sensor cannot produce meaningful readings for several hours because of required polarization. They are also sensitive to sample flow rate and experience interference from dissolved hydrogen.

Mettler Toledo pure water optical DO sensor 

Unlike traditional DO sensors, the Mettler Toledo Thornton online pure water optical DO sensor does not require polarization. It uses optical technology to provide fast and accurate analysis. Its measurement response is six times faster than polarographic sensors. The optical DO sensor also does not use electrolyte or a membrane, so it's not sensitive to flow or susceptible to damage from particles and dissolved hydrogen interference. There is no interior body to replace, and service is required only once a year to quickly and easily replace the one-piece Optocap sensing element. This provides plants with lower operating costs and reduced downtime. 

The Mettler Toledo Thornton pure water optical DO sensor provides a fast, accurate and low-maintenance method of measuring dissolved oxygen concentration in power plant pure water systems.

For more information for any Mettler Toledo Process Analytics product, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Visit https://alliancets.com or call 630-321-9646.

Measurement of Oxygen in Processing Applications

This optical oxygen sensor is one of many oxygen
measurement devices
Image courtesy Mettler-Toledo

The measurement of oxygen is used throughout many industrial processing operations. Knowing about oxygen measurement technology can lead to better measurement performance.

Mettler-Toledo, a recognized leader in process analytical measurement technology, has authored a comprehensive guide to oxygen measurement. Some of the covered topics include:

• Theoretical background of oxygen measurement
• Calibration of oxygen sensors
• Description of oxygen measurement technologies
• Common challenges with oxygen measurements
• And more

A copy of the guide is included below. Share your process analytical requirements and challenges with measurement experts, combining your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions. Ask for your own copy of the guide, too.

Guide to Oxygen Measurement in Industrial Process Applications from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Water Quality Analysis – Constituent Survey (Part 1)

Many industrial and commercial processes rely on
specific water quality requirements

Of all the raw materials available for human consumption – aside from the air we breathe – the most vital component of life on earth is water. In addition to the global need for humans to drink water in order to survive, the use of water is essential in a myriad of industries relating to process control. Whether the goal is the production or monitoring of pure water for industrial use, or the processing of wastewater, the ability to measure the presence and level of certain chemical constituents of water is necessary for success.

In order to use water properly, industrial professionals combine state of the art analyzers with technical expertise to evaluate water quality for use or disposal. Two essential values of process control are ensuring elements of a control system are accurate and secure, and, furthermore, that they are accurate and secure for each product every time. By properly vetting water in industry, engineers and other personnel in fields such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, food & beverage, brewing, power, and microelectronics are able to maintain standards of production excellence and conform with regulatory requirements related to water quality.

The amount of dissolved oxygen present in water can correlate with the degree of movement at an air-water interface, also being impacted by pressure, temperature, and salinity. Excessive or deficient dissolved oxygen levels in industrial process waters may have an impact on process performance or end product quality. Likely, the most common application for dissolved oxygen measurement is in the evaluation of wastewater for biological oxygen demand. The primary function of dissolved oxygen in wastewater is to enable and enhance the oxidation of organic material by aerobic bacteria, a necessary step in treatment.

To measure dissolved oxygen, specialized sensors and companion instruments are employed that require careful maintenance and trained technical operators. The level of measurement precision varies depending on the industry employing the technology, with numerous applications also being found in the food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries. In-line continuous measurement is used in wastewater processing to determine if the dissolved oxygen remains in a range that supports the bacteria necessary for biodegradation.

Chloride concentration in wastewater is strictly regulated. Industrial and commercial operation effluent can be regulated with respect to allowable chloride content. While commonly found in both streams and wastewater, chlorides, in large amounts, can present challenges to water utilization or processing facilities. Chloride levels impact corrosion, conductivity, and taste (for industries in which such a variable is paramount). In a process system, having an essential component marred due to elevated quantities of a substance could reverberate into any end-product being manufactured. Chloride analyzers, some of which can also detect and monitor other water characteristics, serve as important tools for water consuming facilities to meet regulatory standards for effluent discharge or internal quality standards for recycling.

There are other constituents of what we refer to as “water” that are subject to measurement and monitoring for a range of institutional, industrial, and municipal applications. Those will be explored in the next part of this article series.

The measurement of dissolved oxygen or chloride concentration requires special equipment and techniques. Share your water quality measurement requirements and challenges with fluid process specialists, combining your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Retractable Sensor Housing for Analytical Sensors

The retractable sensor housings are available in several configurations

Process analytical sensors generally require some "care and feeding" to maintain specified performance levels. This maintenance can require removal of the sensor from the process in which it is inserted. Clearly, it is seldom advantageous to shut down a process for maintenance when it could otherwise remain in operation. The challenge - how to service the pH, redox, conductivity, or dissolved oxygen sensors without process interruption.

Mettler Toledo, under their Ingold brand of process analytic products, provides a solution in the form of a retractable sensor housing. Models accommodate sensors for pH, redox, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. The housings are designed to enable safe retraction of the sensor from the process, with in place sensor cleaning or further maintenance operations made simple with the process remaining in operation.

The document below provides additional detail. Share your process analytical challenges with an application expert, combining your own process experience and knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Retractable Sensor Housings for Analytical Sensors from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Sensor Mount Transmitter Delivers New Functionality to Smart Sensors

The new M100 Sensor Mount Transmitter affixes directly
to ISM type sensors.

Smart sensors for pH, DO, and CO2 deliver a high level of performance and productivity enhancement for analytical users. Reduction in the time needed for sensor maintenance and calibration channel more time into delivering analytical results.

The new M100 SM (Sensor Mount) transmitter from Mettler Toledo streamlines the integration of their ISM smart sensors into bioprocess control systems. The transmitter mounts directly to the sensor, without the need for separately housed electronics. The compact configuration combines the advantages of the ISM smart sensor with several analog and digital outputs for connection to bioprocess controllers.

The M100 SM is available for use with  a variety of Mettler Toledo ISM sensors, including those for pH, DO, and CO2. The transmitters provide two 4-20 mA outputs and one digital Modbus RTU connection. Configuration and sensor status check can be accomplished via Bluetooth using a desktop PC or mobile device.

More detail is provided below. Share all your analytical challenges with application specialists, combining your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Sensor Mount Transmitters For Smart Sensors from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Intelligent Management for Process Sensors

Process analytical sensors can require scrupulous levels of attention and maintenance to continually deliver optimum performance. In some cases, overly frequent or involved maintenance is performed in order to avoid problems. Mettler Toledo, globally recognized leader in the development of process analytical sensors, developed a solution to streamline sensor maintenance and maximize reliability and performance.

The iSense software suite supports Mettler Toledo's line of intelligent sensors, monitoring and documenting sensor performance while maintaining real time indications of time to maintenance and calibration. Essentially, the iSense software provides guided sensor maintenance and continually verifies the operational health of the sensor to assure that delivered data is accurate and reliable.

There is much more to learn about how the iSense software and comprehensive offering of intelligent sensors can enhance process performance, as well as the efficiency of analytical operations. Reach out to a process analytics specialist with your analytical measurement challenges. Combining your process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise will yield an effective solution.

Digital Sensor Technology For In-line Process Analytics

Digital sensor technology opens new
avenues for accuracy and efficiency
Courtesy Mettler Toledo

In-line process analytics deliver wide ranging data used to control production processes and assure the suitability and performance of end products. Strict adherence to established procedures and standards contribute to the accuracy and value of the measurements derived from instruments and equipment monitoring various process steps from start to completion.

Digital sensor technology, with an onboard microprocessor, provides a wealth of functionality not previously available that enhances accuracy and efficiency. Mettler Toledo is at the forefront of digital sensor technology for inline process analytics with their line of ISM (Intelligent Sensor Management) compatible sensors. The digital sensors interface with companion transmitters and software tools to deliver customers top flight process analytics performance.

• Simplified workflow.
• Increased measurement effectiveness and process confidence.
• Sensors are easily removed from the process for calibration, negating need for personnel to bring calibration gases or buffer solutions to the measurement point.
• Diagnostic functions provide easy to read tools, notifying operators of when and what to do to maintain proper performance.
• Each sensor stores its own set of calibration data, which is automatically uploaded to the companion transmitter.
• Self configuration executed when new sensor connected to transmitter.
• Supporting software facilitates the range of tasks necessary to maintain top flight operational status for every ISM sensor.
• Sensor output is a digital signal, not prone to degradation in the same manner as analog signals.
• Sensor learns from and adapts to process conditions to provide better overall performance.

There is much more to learn regarding how ISM sensors can dovetail into your process operation and deliver substantial increases in efficiency and accuracy. The document below provides the next layer of information. Reach out to an inline process measurement specialist, sharing your process measurement challenges. The combination of your process knowledge and their product application expertise will yield an effective solution.

Intelligent Sensor Management For Inline Process Analytics from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Alliance Adds Thornton to Process Analytical Instrument Offering

Alliance Technical Sales, experienced provider of process analytical solutions throughout many industries, has added the Thornton brand of instruments to expand its offering of Mettler Toledo analytical products. Thornton specializes in on-line liquid process measurement solutions for pure and ultrapure water applications. The product line includes instrumentation and sensors providing high quality measurement of conductivity/resistivity, TOC, pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, dissolved ozone, sodium, silica and bioburden. The Thornton line complements and expands the extent of Mettler Toledo products already available from Alliance Technical Sales.

Share your fluid process analytical challenges with product application experts, combining your process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Process Analytics Product Catalog from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Optical Sensor for Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring in Breweries

Dissolved oxygen measurements are an essential part of the brewing process. Keeping oxygen out of beer is a key production goal of brewers on any scale, since oxygen noticeably diminishes the taste of beer.

The measurement levels for oxygen are very low, so a sensor with high accuracy and response is needed. Hygienic construction and the ability to accommodate CIP operations is also a plus. Any features that reduce maintenance time budget enhance the value of the instrument.

The video, provided by Mettler Toledo, provides useful insight into how their optical DO sensor can benefit a brewing operation.

More detail, as well as application assistance, is available from product specialists. Combining your process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise will deliver effective solutions.

Paths for Optimizing Chemical Industry Processes

Ingold brand InPro pH probes
Courtesy Mettler Toledo

The success of an industrial process hinges upon simultaneously or continuously maintaining an array of variables within a comparatively narrow operating band. Operators rely heavily upon sensing and measuring equipment to provide critical information about process operation that cannot be gathered by the human senses.

There is a robust section of the measurement and control equipment industry devoted to analytical measurements for chemical processes. Mettler Toledo, with their Ingold brand of analytical instrumentation, has been a key player in the process analytical field for many years. Through continuous research and development, the company has innovated products that provide greater performance and operational benefits to their industrial process control customers.

The piece included below provides a useful overview of the company's analytical and measurement capabilities, with an emphasis on how the products are employed in various industries. Modern technology is incorporated to improve product life cycle performance and reduce maintenance burden.

See for yourself with a browse through the document included below. More information is available on products and applications from a specialist, with whom you should share your analytical process challenges. The most effective solutions will come from collaboration between process operators and analytical equipment specialists.

Optimizing chemcial industry processes from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

Video on Bubble Noise in Dissolved Oxygen Signals

Modern Brewery

Process engineers and operators continually seek faster and more accurate means of measuring variables within the process. Greater currency and accuracy of information can lead to better control and decision making, with a positive impact on efficiency and safety.

Measurement of specific dissolved gases within a liquid plays an important part in many processes in the biopharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries. Mettler Toledo, through their Ingold brand, has developed a solution to a common problem associated with measuring dissolved oxygen. Provided below is a video which illustrates how bubbles can impact the sensor reading, plus Mettler Toledo's solution to the problem. There is also an application note provided below the video which further explains the problem and solution.

Share your process measurement and control challenges with product specialists. Combine your process experience with their product application expertise to devise the best solutions.

Eliminating Bubble Noise in Dissolved Oxygen Measurements from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.

New Generation of Mettler Toledo M300 pH/ORP, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, & Ozone Transmitters

M300 Process Transmitter

METTLER TOLEDO Process Analytics has released a second generation of M300 transmitters for pH, Conductivity, Oxygen, and Ozone sensors in April 2016. This release simplifies both the Process and Water M300 portfolio through the reduction of 26 unique model numbers down to ten. This is possible through new mix-mode functionality providing compatibility of both analog and digital Intelligent Sensors Management (ISM®) sensors to the latest generation. New M300 transmitters are easily identified by their high-contrast touchscreen display and advanced ISM diagnostic capabilities providing significant advantages to the product line.

The multi-parameter M300Process transmitter line for pH/ORP, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and ozone measurements offers exceptional measurement performance as well as excellent user ergonomics.

The high contrast black and white touchscreen together with the harmonized menu structure for all parameters, facilitates navigation and ensures easy and user friendly operation.

On-line diagnostics information allows you to schedule sensor maintenance or replacement. The clearly visible diagnostic information lets you know when it’s time to do maintenance or calibration of sensors equipped with Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM) technology.

The integrated USB interface allows you to use it for data logging or to store the configuration on a USB stick.

Second generation M300 transmitters are direct replacements to first generation products.

For more information, contact:
Alliance Technical Sales
312 Park Avenue Unit 145
Clarendon Hills, 60514-0145
Phone: 630-321-9646
Fax: 630-321-9647
www.alliancets.com