Total Alkalinity Monitor Requiring No Sensor Calibration Trialled by Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)

Traditional alkalinity monitors use pH as the core measurement technique due to the titration methods used. This can lead to unreliable measurements, the need for expensive equipment, and significant sensor maintenance. pH sensors are renowned for drifting, needing frequent calibration and needing to be replaced every year or two.

The AlkaSense® from Pi brings a novel technique to online alkalinity monitoring, using conductivity as the core measurement as opposed to pH. In short, the AlkaSense® titrates a sample to an inflection point in the changing conductivity, which occurs when the alkalinity is used up by the acid being dosed. This gets away from all the problems associated with using a pH sensor, as the conductivity sensor doesn’t drift, and doesn’t need to be replaced.

alkasense controller
AlkaSense® installed at Uisce Éireann
AlkaSense® data showing point of inflection

As the actual conductivity of the sample isn’t important, only the inflection point is required. This means that calibration of the conductivity sensor is unnecessary, saving you not only time, but also maintenance costs.

Key benefits of the AlkaSense® include:

  • No calibration ever needed
  • Stable and reliable – excellent process control
  • Suitable for all potable and process waters
  • Up to 6 months between maintenance
  • Based on a simple, robust conductivity measurement (not pH)

Uisce Éireann, formerly Irish Water, are currently trialling the AlkaSense® at a site where alkalinity levels in the final water were found to be variable.  The overall aim of the trial is to monitor caustic dosing and the final alkalinity of the water. Uisce Éireann are now able to view and access live alkalinity readings to improve the overall quality of the final water, as measuring total alkalinity online can bring automation benefits over sporadic offline measurements.

To learn more about the AlkaSense®, please visit https://www.processinstruments.net/products/total-alkalinity-analyzer-alkasense/ 

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