One of the ongoing arguments in drinking water treatment is how best to monitor free chlorine. Most water plants agree that amperometric sensors are the optimum choice for accuracy and have many inherent benefits. The sensors are relatively free from interference. Manganese, iron, nitrate, and chromate – substances that interfere with other methods – have little influence on amperometric sensors. The sensors are low maintenance, although they do require periodic cleaning to wash away solids that slowly accumulate on the membrane. Because the technology doesn’t inherently need reagents, amperometric systems require no purchase of costly consumables, ongoing maintenance of the reagents, or errors due to depletion of reagents. The one significant issue of amperometric sensors is that they are pH dependent and, therefore, require pH measurement. This new video from Emerson presents an excellent, cost-effective solution to the challenge of pH measurement in free chlorine.
The Rosemount FCL Free Chlorine Measuring System is a fully integrated technology approach. A chlorine sensor is integrated and coordinated with a pH sensor, both speaking to a single analyzer in an integrated system. As an integrated technology, this approach is “plug and play” for the user. The pH adjustments are made automatically in the system. The water plant doesn’t have to purchase two separate systems and try to get them working together. In addition, the system includes an intuitive flow column that controls flow rates, enables off-gassing, and significantly reduces water consumption. As a “system” the integrated solution can include best-in-class technology for each component, making the system more than the sum of its parts.
Check out this interesting video that demonstrates how elegantly and easily an ongoing water analysis problem can be solved.