Online Total Alkalinity Analyzer, AlkaSense® Installed on one of Rio de Janeiro’s Biggest Drinking Water Plants

Dan Nearney, Process Instruments’ (Pi) Sales Manager for Central and South America, recently received an inquiry about the AlkaSense®, Pi’s cutting-edge online alkalinity analyzer, from a major drinking water treatment facility serving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Partnering with Nivetec Instrumentation and Control, Pi’s trusted distributor in Brazil, Dan held a series of detailed meetings with the plant’s team. Together, they tailored the AlkaSense® solution to meet the plant’s specific needs. The team focused on challenges the facility had been experiencing with its current alkalinity monitor, the advantages of upgrading to AlkaSense®, and how to best integrate it with the plant’s existing infrastructure.

Unlike traditional systems, AlkaSense® is the only titration-based online total alkalinity monitor on the market that does not rely on pH as its primary measurement. pH sensors are often unreliable and come with high maintenance costs due to their need for:

Frequent cleaning
Regular calibration
Ongoing replacement

AlkaSense® eliminates these issues by using a revolutionary online conductivity sensor as its core technology—providing accurate, low-maintenance alkalinity monitoring.

Impressed with the solution, the facility ordered two AlkaSense® units along with the necessary titrant, para-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). One system was installed at Nivetec’s training center, where Dan and Pi service engineer Wes hosted an in-depth virtual training session for the plant’s team. The session covered installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, and included live Q&A with operators.

To verify performance, the team tested two different water samples through the AlkaSense® and compared the results with standard lab tests. The readings were within 1 mg/L of the lab results—demonstrating the accuracy and reliability of the AlkaSense®.

Now fully operational, both systems are helping one of Rio’s largest drinking water plants monitor raw water alkalinity more effectively than ever.

This customer first learned about AlkaSense® through one of Pi’s targeted email campaigns. These campaigns are customized to match your roles and interests within the water industry.

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