How Turbidity Sensors Work and the Science Behind the Equipment
(Photo : Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels)

Water quality is linked intrinsically with turbidity, which measures the water's overall clarity by looking at the amount of light scattering when hitting the water sample's surface. If there is a significant amount of light scattering, it indicates high turbidity in the water. Some materials such as algae, dissolved organic compounds, organic and inorganic matter, clay, and silt are responsible for high turbidity. 

If there is a high turbidity reading in a water sample, the water must be treated first before being used as drinking water or industrial processes as it is contaminated. You will need turbidity sensor equipment for measuring water turbidity regularly. Typically, you will have to install inline sensors at multiple points of industrial processes. 

Once you have installed the turbidity sensor equipment, you can detect the amount of particulate matter present in the sample of water instantly. The turbidity sensor can also be used for other applications, such as: 

  • Detecting leaks of filters and gaskets

  • CIP-return line

  • Yeast harvest in breweries

  • Phase separation for different products

  • Raw receiving bay

  • Phase changes, including product-to-water changes, product-to-product, and water-to-cleaning agents. 

Irrespective of what applications you are using the turbidity sensor equipment for, you will know whether the water in your system requires additional treatment or if it's filtered properly. We will look at the science behind turbidity sensor equipment and how they work in this article. 

How to Use Turbidity Sensor Equipment?

Turbidity sensor equipment is cutting-edge technology that can identify water samples' clarity. When light beams are placed over water, the light contacts any particulates present in the water. The light will scatter once it contacts these particulates, and turbidity sensor equipment measures this effectively. When light beams scatter more than usual, the water is highly contaminated and requires treatment before any use. The light can also scatter if there are undissolved particles. 

If you use turbidity sensor equipment with purified water, you will receive extremely low readings from the sensor, as the water will have virtually no solid particles. However, turbidity sensors can be used for various applications, including yeast harvesting for breweries and filters and gaskets leak detection. Water treatment facilities tend to use turbidity sensor equipment for detecting particulate concentration, allowing them to determine if the water requires necessary treatment. 

Even though noticing high turbidity in water is relatively simple, you will get precise measurements with turbidity sensor equipment. That may be useful for industrial applications as the sensor measures all suspended solids and tells you the exact amount of treatment the water may need. Measuring water turbidity is essential because it informs you how polluted the water may be and what you must do to treat it before using it or drinking it.

Turbidity sensor equipment is vital for human health because it can check any contaminants in drinking water. If high turbidity levels are shown in the drinking water, anybody drinking that water will experience serious health issues. Pathogens get the shelter and food they need to survive when they are in high turbidity conditions. 

If you don't correctly remove contaminants from the water, the pathogen will regrow again, causing a waterborne disease outbreak. Therefore, when using turbidity sensor equipment, you should first look for a low reading, whether you are using it to measure wastewater or drinking water. 

The Benefits of Turbidity Sensor Equipment

Measuring the water quality with turbidity sensor equipment has various and relatively apparent benefits. The first one is that you can measure water for all applications and purchase turbidity accessories and other transmitters that can help you get readings and measurements with higher accuracy. Another benefit is the flexibility you get regarding using turbidity sensor equipment. 

For example, the turbidity sensors can be mounted on a flow assembly line or inside a pipe so that you can take inline measurements. The turbidity sensor equipment can also be placed inside tanks, basins, or open channels.

One of the main benefits of using turbidity sensor equipment is getting readings and measurements in various metrics, including FNU, NTU, and FTU. 

Conclusion

Generally, turbidity sensor equipment is user-friendly and will offer you accurate and fast results. When you place it inside a body of water, you will not face issues during the measuring process. 

You also obtain rapid returns on investment from turbidity sensor equipment. That's because the sensors deliver precise results for turbidity and are incredibly affordable, so you can use them to reduce CIP consumables or boost yields. 

Now that you better understand the science of turbidity sensors and how they work, you must identify the turbidity sensor equipment you need for your situation.