A pH sensor is a scientific instrument that may determine the amount of hydrogen ion action in practically any liquid solution. These sensors’ primary use is to select the quantity of acidity and alkalinity in a water solution. When properly utilised, wastewater pH sensors may ensure the safety and performance of the product and the operations that take place inside a wastewater or production company. Differentiating alkaline and acidic chemical is vital for any organisation that uses chilled water, boilers, manufacturing firms, swimming pool control, or various monitoring systems.
Different varieties of pH sensors measure the water’s purity in different ways. Pipe corrosion, sediment accumulation, and other undesirable consequences of an industrial operation can all be detected by measuring pH. The pH change could be an early potential criterion of increased pollution in the environmental situation. If the pH level gets higher than 8.5, the water would be deemed as hard, which will most likely lead to the formation of scale in boilers and pipes.
Why Is Quality Water System Important?
Quality water systems will be achieved by using these wastewater pH sensors. For ordinary consumers, poor water quality can cause health problems, dull hair, rough clothing, and dry, itchy skin. In terms of water quality and treatment, a pH sensor is essential. The water could be harmful if the pH value of a water treatment facility is too high or too low. Contaminants can be removed from intake water before being used in several manufacturing processes. Operational efficiency will improve by removing contamination and maintaining efficient compliance with required water quality standards. Having a good quality water system comes with many benefits, such as:
- Meeting the demands of your supply chain’s sustainability
- Water waste reduction
- Preventing downtime
- Avoiding downtime
- Establishing a safe and healthy workplace for your workers
- Dangerous substances are being reduced
Maintaining this volume of water and monitoring pH levels regularly should help you save money. However, to acquire the finest water quality, you should utilise different pH monitors.
pH Sensors of Various Types
The following are the various types of pH sensors:
Laboratory pH Sensors
These tiny sensors are ideal for lightweight operations such as research and teaching, pool monitoring, and environmental sampling. Such sensors have incredible adaptability. Suppose you’re looking for a laboratory sensor. In that case, the connections, conductors, and device fill can all be adjusted to meet your specific requirements and has three categories to choose from, namely research, essential, and advanced. A basic laboratory pH sensor is ideal for swimming pools, hydroponics, and aquariums. Advanced sensors can handle a wide range of samples, making them ideal for wastewater and environmental sampling. Lastly, low ionic samples, like potable water and pharmaceutical applications, are best served by research-grade sensors.
Process pH Sensors
These sensors also come with a processing connector, making them ideal for continually measuring your fluids’ pH levels. This type of sensor is highly durable, which is why it can be mounted directly into the pipe, or it can be placed into a tank. Processing sensors are divided into three categories: moderate to heavy-duty, heavy-duty/coating sensors, and heavy-duty/coating sensors.
The heavy-duty series of process pH sensors are ideal for eliminating ground loop error using different measurement techniques. A moderately to massive series of process pH sensors enables rapid cartridge change and very low maintenance. Moreover, identifying the pH sensors that suit your needs is essential to deciding what pH sensor you need to buy.
Combination pH Sensors
There are two electrodes in this electrochemical sensor: a reference electrode and a measuring electrode. The functions of these two electrodes are different. The reference electrode focuses on maintaining the signal when recording the pH level constant, while the measuring electrode detects any recent changes in the pH level. A combined pH sensor is by far the most popular sensor on the market, owing to its ability to serve as the foundation for developing laboratory and process sensors. The very best characteristic of this type of sensor is its ability to adapt to technology. The two electrodes can perform the most critical functions of reading and measuring water pH levels, ensuring that you get quick and precise results.
Differential pH Sensors
This type of pH sensor is considered a heavy-duty sensor because it is equipped with three electrodes. The third electrode is a metal grounding electrode that can help avoid comparison fouling, despite the fact that the first two electrodes are identical to those used in combination sensors. The third electrode also functions as a buffer for the measuring electrode, ensuring that the reading is appropriate even if contamination occurs. These sensors have been developed for severe wastewater and industrial operations and will last longer.
Conclusion
When the pH of wastewater is too high or too low, releasing it into the environment is harmful to aquatic life and potentially human life. Maintaining optimal pH levels is critical for water quality and ecological systems since pH testing ensures the safety of drinking water and groundwater and the protection of aquatic plants and animals. Moreover, some industrial processes require pH within a specific range to reach a specified quality level or process yield. That is why choosing the most appropriate pH sensor is essential for a quality water system.
