Analytical Technology Develops System for Reliable Measurement of Turbidity in Water

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the level of turbidity in drinking water should not exceed 5 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), and ideally should be less than 1 NTU. The A15/76 Turbidity Monitor from ATi is capable of achieving precise turbidity measurements as low as 0.001 NTU and as high as 4000 NTU within a single system, and eliminates the need for separate high and low range instruments.

Turbidity levels are traditionally difficult and time-consuming to measure; however ATi's A15/76 sensor is designed to operate under pressure to eliminate air bubbles which are a common problem in many turbidimeters, often causing air bubble errors. The turbidity sensor used in the A15/76 monitor is a planer sensor with the light source and photo detector mounted on a flat face. The signal generated by the detector is amplified inside the sensor for transmission to the display unit. Periodic pulsing of the light source allows the sensor zero to be adjusted automatically for improved stability in low-range applications. Dual beam technology compensates for any sensor fouling or long term degradation of the light source or detector.

When used in conjunction with ATi's air blast Auto-Clean system the monitor can also be in industrial water treatment and can aid compliance with effluent control as part of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) guidelines. Under these regulations, manufacturers must demonstrate that they are implementing the 'Best Available Techniques' (BAT) to control water emissions and provide a high level of protection to the environment as a whole. The essence of BAT is that the selection of techniques to protect the environment should achieve an appropriate balance between the environmental benefits and the costs incurred by operators. The ATi D15/76 Turbidity Monitor also provides manufacturers with a cost-effective BAT. The air-blast sensor cleaning system automatically cleans the sensor as often as necessary to maintain reliable measurements.