Turbidity Analysis Brochure en
Turbidity Analysis Brochure en
com
Water Testing
Turbidity Analysis
from leading experts
Competence in turbidity
Turbidity is one of the most important parameters for measuring
water quality – especially for drinking water. But it also causes
the biggest difficulties. Lovibond® has the solution you need for reliable,
fast & trouble-free processes in your daily monitoring routine.
QUALITY Made in
Lovibond ®
Water Testing
GERMANY
Turbidity basics
What is turbidity?
Sources of turbidity in water are for instance clay, silt, organic Turbidity is a well recognised parameter for evaluating water
and inorganic matter, algae, plankton and other microscopic quality. Even though it does not always represent a direct risk
organisms. They can include anything from decaying plant to public health, it can indicate the presence of pathogenic
material, sediments or even shedding from the weathering microorganisms and be an effective indicator of hazardous
of rocks. events throughout the water supply system, from catchment
The level of turbidity can also vary due to seasonal weather to point of use.
changes, an increase in rainfall, or natural disasters such as National authorities therefore have a legitimate interest in
landslides. Human activity can also contribute to the turbidity monitoring turbidity with state-of-the-art instruments, as the
levels of a water source. Pollution from construction sites is one human eye cannot reliably detect turbidity below 20 NTU.
major cause, but even running a boat in a body of water can Water with this low turbidity may be aesthetically pleasing,
add turbidity. but it can still be a health concern because pathogens can
hide even in small particles. Turbidity is a helpful parameter to
The early detection of a sudden increase in turbidity in previously
improve drinking water treatment plants as well as disinfection
clear waters can help to avoid hazards to aquatic organisms and
times. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published
humans, impairment of navigation and flood risks.
guidelines for quality aspects of drinking water, recommending
turbidity values < 1 NTU for safe drinking water.
Detector Display
Nephelometric turbidity measurement
A nephelometer, often referred to as a turbidimeter, consists
22 NTU/FNU of a light source and a detector arranged at right angles to the
incident light beam. The incident light beam passes through
the sample and scatters the light in all directions.
90° Scattered Light In nephelometers, only the light scattered at 90° is measured to
Emitted Light determine the turbidity of a water sample. The 90° arrangement
is recommended for low turbidity (< 400 NTU) according to ISO
7027 and US EPA regulatory standards.
Turbidity readings are typically expressed in NTU (nephelometric
turbidity units) or FNU (nephelometric formazin units, more
common in Europe) and refer to the method as well as the
standard used for the instrument.
The primary standard for calibration and adjustment of turbidi-
Light source Sample meters is based on formazin.
Attenuation method
A turbidimeter that uses light attenuation to detect turbidity ISO 7027 recommends this method only for high turbidity
consists of a light source and a detector arranged in line to the (> 40 FAU). The unit is expressed as FAU (Formazin Attenuation
incident light beam. The incident light beam passes through Unit) and refers to the method as well as the standard being
the sample, whereby part of the light is absorbed by the sample. used.
The intensity of absorbed light at 180° is measured to determine
turbidity.
Guidelines & regulations
for drinking water
WHO published guidelines for quality aspects of
drinkable water recommend max limit at < 1.0 NTU
ISO
ISO and the US EPA are the two main organisations that govern
the design critera of a turbidimeter and set specifications or
even regulations for turbidity measurement. Compliance to one
of these standards is regionally based. For example, the United
States of America along with many other countries in Central
and South America, Australia and parts of Asia follow the US
EPA regulations.
Europe, Africa as well as some Asian countries follow ISO 7027
regulations.
It should be noted that having regulatory compliant turbidity
readings is only necessary when you are testing for regulatory
reporting purposes. In these cases, a local authority can advise
the user of their reporting requirements.
Essentially every turbidimeter available has been designed to
comply with the guidelines set by one of these organisations.
There are many process control applications for turbidity outside
the scope of regulatory reporting.
ISO 7027 requires the use of an infrared light source; while Lovibond® offers a variety of different light sources for turbidity
US EPA requires the use of a tungsten or "white light" source. measurement. They meet different regulatory requirements.
Upon evaluation and approval, the US EPA also allows the use Although these light sources are regulatory approved, they are
of other light sources, such as red LEDs and lasers, on a case- expected to deliver slightly different results. Depending on your
by-case basis. goals you can find the best turbidimeter for your application.
Choose the instrument with the light source that works best for
your application.
Selection guide for the different versions of light sources from Lovibond®
(WL = White Light; IR = Infrared; RED = Red Light; L = Laser)
2
With so many options, selecting the best turbidimeter for your needs is a difficult choice.
Some key things to keep in mind when considering your options are:
• Am I measuring for compliance reporting?
If so, make sure the turbidimeter selected comply with the regulation (ISO or US EPA).
• Prioritise technical requirements and features. Some features and capabilities will
matter more to you than others. Know what’s most important and focus on those needs.
?
general needs desired functions
3
1. 3.
determine your
technical needs
Industries 2.
Compliance
TB211 IR
TB350 *
PTV Series
2
Step two: determine your technical needs
Resolution 0.01–9.99 NTU: 0.01 NTU 0.01-9.99 NTU: 0.01 NTU 0.0001 NTU
10–99.9 NTU: 0.1 NTU 10-99.9 NTU: 0.1 NTU (range depending)
100–1100 NTU: 1 NTU 100–4000 NTU: 1 NTU
Accuracy 0.01–500 NTU: ± 2.5 % MV < ± 1.8 % MV + stray light 0–10 NTU: ± 2 MV
or ± 0.01 NTU 10–100 NTU: ± 4 % MV
500–1100 NTU: ± 5 % MV
3
Repeatability ± 1 % MV or ± 0.01 NTU < ± 1 % MV or ± 0.01 NTU < ± 1 % of reading
Data storage 125 data sets 250 measurements, user selectable data log rate
all calibration/verification data of 15-sec, 30-sec, 1-min,
and events 2-min, 5-min, 10-min, 15-min
(default), 1-hour, 4-hour
4 x AA batteries
Power supply 9 V battery NiMH battery pack 100–240 V/50–60 Hz
Mains adapter
Understanding interferences
As simple as turbidity appears on first sight, it is
important to understand possible influences and
interferences to receive most reliable results.
Turbidity readings are not always stable and may
fluctuate. In most cases, the cause for that is not
a defective instrument. Most suspended particles
are not ideally spherical. Different orientations
of an asymmetric particle can cause minor
fluctuating readings as the incident light may hit
particles at different positions.
Signal averaging and repetitive measurements
are helpful to obtain reliable readings.
Strong turbidity fluctuations may result from
interferences based on physical effects or
material contamination and damage.
Below is a list of the most common interferences users should be aware of when measuring turbidity.
Our instruments are designed to mitigate these interferences as much as possible.
Bubbles Bubbles are mainly caused by adding air to Bubbles reflect light and can be a • Let the sample sit after
a sample, e.g. by shaking the sample vial. significant error that causes higher mixing.
readings if not addressed. • Degas the sample.
Colour Colour is mostly an "aesthetic parameter" Colour in the sample absorbs incidient • Use a light source that
and is often caused by decaying organic light and causes false low readings. is not affected by colour,
matter such as plants. Most common Please note, instruments with an IR e.g. infrared.
in surface water, but can be present in lightsource are not subject to this
ground water. interference.
Settling of particles Some particles are too large and heavy to Can cause the stratification of a sample • Use Fast-Settling
stay in suspension and sink to the bottom. and can cause false low or high turbidity mode with TB350 or
Most common in samples with a turbidity readings. perform multiple
value above 20 NTU. measurements.
Scaling & Fouling Scaling is generally calcium-based and These are generally more of a concern in • Check your water pipe
forms a mineral coating on a surface. process monitoring. Materials resulting systems.
Fouling is the accumulation of biological from scaling or fouling can detach from
material on a surface, often perceived as the surfaces and cause spikes in turbidity
"slime". readings that are not representative of
the sample.
Condensation Water that collects on the outside of the Condensation can reflect light and can • Let the sample adjust to RT.
sample vial. Occurs when humidity in be a significant error that causes higher • Wipe condensates away
the air comes into contact with a surface readings. using lint-free cloths.
colder than the air.
Stray Light Any light that reaches the detector that Can cause a positive error in turbidity • Avoid any damage, dirt
does not come from the sample is defined measurement. and scratches on glass.
as stray light. Examples are internal • Index your vial.
reflections or reflections from glass and
• Use silicon oil for low turb
light leakage into the sample chamber.
to remove micro scratches.
• Use turbidimeters with
light traps (e.g. BLAC®
technology).
Evolution of instruments
PTV1000 / 2000
Portable &
Benchtop
Process
TB210 IR
Measurement with
infrared light at an
angle of 90°
TB211 IR
for fast & easy measurements
Why buy
• Low maintenance, up to 600 tests possible
with one set of batteries on a single battery life
• Ready to use formazin based T-CAL® primary standards
& simple operation
USB interface • Backlit display makes it easy to see the results,
even in dark environments
Range 1100 NTU • Ideal instrument for routine measurements ≥ 1 NTU
Order-Code: 266030
Fill the sample water up to the mark Hold the cuvettes by the cap to Rinse cuvettes thoroughly with deio-
on the cuvette. The water usually avoid dirt and fingerprints on the nised water after each measurement.
does not fill the cuvette with a flat glass. Contamination on the glass Clean with laboratory detergent and
water surface, but with a curved one. can be removed with a lint-free cloth. rinse with deionised water.
The lowest point of the water sample Indexing the cuvette can help to Clean heavy contamination with
should be at the level of the mark. obtain the best position for accurate 1:1 HCl followed by multiple rinses.
measurements.
Elimination of stray light
by light absorbing traps
(BLAC®)
Multipath
nephelometric TB350 IR & TB350 WL
detection
for lab accuracy as portable solution
Patented
• Available with infrared & white light LED
state-of-the-art
optical system • Easy, full-colour touchscreen, user interface that
provides animated & guided procedures and
straightforward data management
• Multi-lingual graphical interface
• Delivers superior accuracy at low & high turbidities
Why buy
• Combines a state-of-the-art optical system
with ease of use & flexibility
• 90° nephelometric detection over the complete
measuring range from 0.01 up to 4000 NTU
• Visual alert if the reading is out of tolerance
• High performance optics to ensure accuracy
• Supplied ready-to-use with sample cells, silicone oil
and T-CAL® calibration standards
• 3 different modes: Single, Signal Averaging, Fast-Settling
Guided
& animated Code TB350 IR: 194300
procedure Code TB350 WL: 194310
Full-colour
touchscreen display
Take it or leave it: The TB350 turbidity meter is ideal for portable use in field
applications such water distribution systems monitoring and laboratories that test
a wide range of samples.
T-CAL®-Standards
formazin based for turbidimeters
T-CAL® turbidity standards from Lovibond® are a stabilised Because T-CAL®-Standards, at any turbidity level, are long
formazin formulation. They are primary based standards and time stable, they are available in a wide variety of ready-to-use
are US EPA and ISO compliant. T-CAL®-Standards can be used bottles and sizes. This saves the user a significant amount of
to verify and/or calibrate any turbidimeter (including Hach® time preparing the standards and eliminates the chance of an
instruments). improper calibration due to dilution errors. T-CAL® turbidity
standards have a long shelf life and there are no concerns about
degradation in climatically challenging environments.
PTV Series
for on-line turbidity measurement
Why buy
• Primary based T-CALplus® formazin standards to simplify
the calibration & verification
• No more complicated setup actions & endless installation attempts
• Eliminate interfering bubbles & complicated handling
• Stable, drift-free & durable LED light sources
T-CALplus®-Standards
for PTV Series No interference
by bubbles:
vacuum sealed
packaging
Quick
connect
valve
Easy to mix -
simply squeeze
Durable & safe,
no contact with
the formazin
standard
Easier and safer than ever: Simply connect the T-CALplus® standard
to the instrument, press the calibration button and start calibration:
Accessories
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