In this era of increasingly stringent requirements for water quality, whether it is industrial production, environmental monitoring, or daily life in the safety of drinking water, accurate measurement of water turbidity is crucial. A reliable, accurate and easy to operate turbidimeter is undoubtedly the right assistant for water quality testing, and SISCO has always been committed to providing users with high quality turbidimeters to provide you with reliable water quality turbidity data. This blog will explain how to use a turbidimeter.
What is a Turbidimeter
A turbidimeter is an instrument used to measure the concentration of suspended particles in water or other liquids, usually expressed in NTUs (Scattered Turbidity Units). These suspended particles may be caused by sediment, algae, microorganisms, pollen, solid particles in industrial wastewater, and so on. Turbidimeters determine the turbidity of a sample by measuring how much light is scattered or absorbed by the suspended particles in the water sample, providing a quantitative indicator of the cleanliness of the water, which plays a vital role in a number of fields such as environmental monitoring, water treatment, food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals and many others.
Choose the Right Turbidity Meter
Choosing the right turbidimeter for your needs is the first step to effectively monitoring water quality. You can purchase test and measurement device on sisco.com. We offer a wide range of turbidimeters for a wide range of applications. Consider the following factors when purchasing:
- Measuring Range: Make sure the meter can measure the expected turbidity level of your sample.
- Portability: For field work, a portable handheld turbidimeter is ideal.
- Accuracy and Resolution: Choose a meter with the desired accuracy for your specific application.
- Other Features: Some meters offer data logging, Bluetooth connectivity or automatic calibration, which can be beneficial, depending on your needs.
Preparation of Turbidimeter before Use
Instrument Check: First, check the appearance of the turbidimeter for damage. Check whether the shell of the instrument has cracks, whether the keys are sensitive, and whether the display is clear. Confirm the power supply of the turbidimeter. If it is battery-powered, check whether the battery is installed correctly and sufficient power; if it is an external power supply, make sure that the power cord is firmly connected and the power supply is stable.
Calibration: Calibration is a critical step in ensuring accurate measurements. Most turbidimeters are equipped with a standard turbidity solution, usually with different concentrations of low, medium and high standard solution.
Put the cuvette with standard turbidity solution (the cuvette should be clean, without scratches and with good light transmission) into the measuring tank of the turbidimeter, and carry out the calibration operation according to the instrument's operation manual. Generally, it is necessary to measure and calibrate the settings for different concentrations of standard solutions in turn, so that the measured value of the instrument matches the actual turbidity value of the standard solution.
Preparation of Cuvette: Select a suitable cuvette. The material and optical range of the cuvette should meet the requirements of the turbidimeter. Clean the cuvette. First rinse with tap water to remove large particles of impurities, and then rinse with distilled water or deionized water 2 - 3 times to ensure that there are no residual impurities in the cuvette to affect the measurement. After cleaning, gently wipe the outer wall of the cuvette with clean mirror paper to avoid leaving fingerprints or fibers.
The Measuring Process of the Turbidimeter
Water Sample Collection: Water sample collection should be representative. For rivers, lakes and other natural water bodies, water samples should be collected at different depths and in different locations and mixed thoroughly.
When collecting water samples, use clean sampling containers, such as glass or plastic bottles that have been acid-washed and rinsed. Avoid mixing sediment, oil and other impurities during the sampling process.
Water Sample Treatment: If the water samples contain large suspended particles, appropriate filtration or centrifugation may be required. However, it is important to note that the nature and number of suspended particles in the water sample should not be altered during the treatment process. For example, in some environmental monitoring, only natural sedimentation is allowed to remove large particles to ensure that the true turbidity of the water sample is being measured.
For some water samples that contain air bubbles, degassing is performed. Air bubbles can scatter light and affect turbidity measurements. Air bubbles can be removed by standing or gently stirring the water sample.
Measuring Operation: Pour the treated water sample into the prepared cuvette, taking care not to overflow the cuvette and making sure that there are no water drops on the outside of the cuvette.
Place the cuvette into the measurement tank of the turbidity meter and start the measurement program according to the instrument's operating instructions. Normally, the instrument will display the turbidity value of the water sample within a few seconds to a few minutes. During the measurement, keep the instrument stable and avoid vibration and direct light.
Post-Measurement Processing
Data Recording
Record the measurement data accurately, including information such as the time of measurement, the measurement location, the source of the water sample, and the turbidity value. If it is in the experimental environment, also record the instrument model, calibration and other related parameters.
For multiple measurements, statistics such as mean and standard deviation can be calculated to more accurately reflect the turbidity of the water sample.
Instrument Cleaning
After removing the cuvette, first rinse the measurement tank with distilled water or deionized water to remove the residual water sample. Then gently wipe the measuring tank with a clean soft cloth or cotton swab to ensure that there are no impurities and water stains.
Clean and dry the cuvette again and store it properly for next use. If the turbidimeter is not to be used for a long time, store it properly according to the requirements of the operation manual, e.g., remove the batteries, put the instrument in a dry and ventilated place.
Precautions
Environmental Factors
When taking measurements, avoid environments with strong direct light, high temperature, high humidity or strong electromagnetic interference. Strong light may interfere with the optical system of the instrument, high temperature and high humidity may affect the performance of the electronic components of the instrument, and strong electromagnetic interference may cause inaccurate measurement data.
Instrument Maintenance
Regularly maintain the turbidimeter, such as checking the optical parts of the instrument for dust or stains, and cleaning them with professional cleaning tools and reagents if necessary. Replace the parts of the instrument, such as light source, detector, etc. regularly according to the recommendations of the instrument manufacturer to ensure the performance and measurement accuracy of the instrument.
Operation Standardization
Operators should be professionally trained and familiar with the operation procedures and precautions of the turbidimeter. During operation, the operation manual should be strictly followed to avoid misuse leading to instrument damage or inaccurate measurement results.
Using a turbidimeter may seem simple, but each step in the process is related to the accuracy and reliability of the measurement results. Only careful preparation, measurement and follow-up work, and pay attention to the relevant operating standards and precautions, in order to give full play to the role of the turbidimeter in various fields, for water quality monitoring and product quality control and other work to provide accurate data support. If you have any questions about the use of turbidimeter process, you can click on the SISCO online mall to consult with us.
