Water is a priceless resource that supports the lives of every creature on the planet. Ensuring its quality is crucial for human health, environmental sustainability, and various industrial processes.

That's why water quality sensors are more than vital to monitor and maintain the high quality of water sources. Therefore, we have allocated this post to the working principles of different water quality sensors. We will discuss how they work and how they contribute to safeguarding water quality.

1. Residual Chlorine Sensor

Residual chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant for water treatment. It can powerfully help to destroy harmful microorganisms. A residual chlorine sensor enables the monitoring of chlorine concentration, ensuring it remains within acceptable limits. 

This sensor operates based on an amperometric or colorimetric method. In the amperometric method, a sensing electrode generates an electrical current proportional to the chlorine concentration, while the colorimetric method involves a chemical reaction that produces color changes based on chlorine concentration.

Residual chlorine sensors find applications in water treatment plants, swimming pools, and drinking water distribution systems, where continuous monitoring is vital to maintain disinfection levels and ensure water safety.

2. Turbidity Sensor

Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particles. It's essentially used to indicate water quality. High levels of turbidity can ruin water clarity and make it more hazardous to human health.

Turbidity sensors work based on the principle of light scattering. A light source emits a beam of light into the water sample, and detectors measure the amount of light scattered by the particles. The intensity of scattered light is then converted into turbidity values.

These sensors are used in environmental monitoring, wastewater treatment, and industries where controlling the presence of suspended solids is crucial, such as in the production of beverages or pharmaceuticals.

3. pH Sensor

pH is a measure that's used to define the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It plays a crucial role in water analysis. pH sensors determine the hydrogen ion concentration in water, providing insights into its chemical properties.

These sensors typically utilize a glass electrode immersed in the water sample. The glass membrane selectively allows hydrogen ions to pass through, generating an electrical potential that is converted into a pH reading.

pH sensors have diverse applications in aquatic research, industrial processes, and water treatment facilities. They are used to make sure the pH level of a water source is within the desired range for different purposes, including swimming pools, aquaculture, and wastewater treatment.

4. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Sensor

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) represents the total amount of organic carbon present in water, including dissolved and particulate forms. TOC sensors help evaluate organic pollution levels and monitor the effectiveness of water treatment processes.

The operation of these sensors involves oxidizing the organic carbon in the water sample and measuring the concentration of the resulting carbon dioxide (CO2). The change in CO2 concentration is proportional to the initial TOC content.

TOC sensors are widely used in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical industries, and the quality control of drinking water. They aid in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and identifying potential sources of organic pollution.

5. Conductivity Sensor

Conductivity shows a solution's ability to conduct electrical current and indicates its ionic content. Conductivity sensors assess water salinity, dissolved solids, and ion concentrations, reflecting its overall purity.

These sensors typically employ two electrodes separated by a known distance. When an electric field is applied, ions in the water facilitate the flow of current between the electrodes. By measuring this current, conductivity sensors determine the conductivity, which can be correlated with water quality parameters.

Conductivity sensors are useful in aquaculture, hydroponics, and environmental monitoring, helping to maintain optimal conditions for various processes and ensuring the absence of contaminants.

6. ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) Sensor

ORP, also known as Redox potential, measures a solution's ability to undergo oxidation or reduction reactions. ORP sensors are crucial in water quality analysis as they provide insights into the water's oxidative or reductive conditions.

These sensors typically employ a noble metal electrode (often platinum) immersed in the water, generating an electrical potential in response to the oxidation or reduction reactions occurring in the solution. The potential is then converted into an ORP value, representing the solution's redox potential.

ORP sensors are widely used in swimming pool monitoring, wastewater treatment, and industrial processes involving redox reactions. They help assess the effectiveness of disinfection processes and identify potential water quality issues.

7. Dissolved Oxygen Sensor

A dissolved oxygen sensor measures the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water. It delivers the oxygen levels in the water and its ability to support aquatic life. These sensors utilize various principles, such as the polarographic or optical method, to determine dissolved oxygen levels.

In the polarographic method, a sensing electrode exposed to the water sample undergoes a chemical reaction with the oxygen present, generating an electrical current proportional to the oxygen concentration.

The optical method is based on the luminescence quenching effect, where a fluorescent material emits light, and the presence of dissolved oxygen reduces its intensity. Both methods enable the calculation of dissolved oxygen concentration.

Dissolved oxygen sensors are extensively used in aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and wastewater treatment to assess water quality and ensure adequate oxygenation for aquatic organisms.

8. Ammonia Sensor

Ammonia sensors measure the concentration of ammonia in water as a vital parameter for evaluating water quality. These sensors operate based on the principle of selective ion exchange.

The sensor contains an ion-selective membrane that allows only ammonia ions to pass through. As ammonia ions interact with the membrane, a potential difference is generated, which is converted into an ammonia concentration reading. Ammonia sensors provide real-time data on ammonia levels, aiding in the prevention of water pollution, monitoring the efficiency of treatment processes, and maintaining optimal conditions for aquatic life.

They’re mainly used in aquariums, fish farms, and industries where monitoring ammonia levels is critical, such as the food processing and chemical industries.

In A Nutshell

For easier comparison of the water quality sensors introduced in this post, take a look at the table below: 

Conclusion

Water quality sensors are crucial for monitoring and ensuring the safety, clarity, and cleanliness of our water sources. From residual chlorine sensors to turbidity, pH, TOC, conductivity, and ORP sensors, each type contributes to assessing different aspects of water quality.

It's critical to constantly monitor and analyze the water quality parameters to protect public health, save the environment, and preserve sustainable water ecosystems. With continuous advancements in sensor technology, further improvements in water quality monitoring will contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.