how does turbidity meter work

How Does Turbidity Meter Work?

Turbidity is the measure of how cloudy or hazy a liquid is. It is a quality control tool used in numerous industries such as wastewater treatment, brewing, and pharmaceuticals. Turbidity meters are sophisticated instruments for measuring the light scattered due to particulate matter in a liquid. These meters are essential in ensuring the quality of products and processes. This article discusses the functionality and application of turbidity meters.

What is Turbidity?

Turbidity is the measure of a liquid's cloudy or hazy appearance caused by light scattering. This scattering occurs due to particulate matter. Particles such as clay, silt, and organic matter can cause a reduction in the clarity of water. Measuring turbidity can provide vital information about liquid quality and is a useful monitoring tool in many industries.

Substance That Affects Turbidity

Various substances may affect the turbidity of a liquid. Organic matter such as algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms can cause an increase in turbidity levels. Similarly, dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and silica can cause cloudy water. Suspended sediment and sediment deposition in water bodies from erosion can cause high levels of water turbidity. Water runoff from farmland, agricultural fields, and uncontrolled erosion from construction sites can cause high levels of turbidity in natural waters.

What is a Turbidity Meter?

A turbidity meter is a device that measures the scattering of light through a liquid. It measures the amount of light that is refracted or absorbed by the particles present in the liquid. The turbidimeter uses a light-emitting diode (LED) as its light source with detectors that measure the amount of light scattered by the particulate matter. The instrument provides a digital display that indicates the level of turbidity in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

How does a Turbidity Meter Work?

Turbidity meters determine the amount of scattered light that results from particulate matter in the water. The meter utilizes a light-emitting diode (LED) to transmit light into the liquid, and a sensor detects the light that passes through the liquid. When particles scatter the light, less light reaches the sensor. As a result, the processor reduces the signal from the sensor to account for the lower light transmission. The resulting measurement provides information on the level of turbidity with the assistance of calibration standards.

Types of Turbidity Meters

There are two types of turbidity meters; Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) and Formazin turbidity units (FTU). NTU is appropriate when measuring low-level turbidity samples, while FTU is appropriate when assessing high-level turbidity samples. Both types of turbidity meters can provide accurate and useful measurements, depending on the liquid being tested.

Applications of Turbidity Meters

Turbidity meters have numerous applications in various industrial sectors such as in the detection of water contamination, wastewater management, food and beverage production, and pharmaceuticals. Turbidity meters can measure water inconsistencies in drinking water, ensuring that contaminant levels are within legal limits. In the food and beverage production industries, turbidity meters can detect impurities or unwanted particles that affect the taste, quality, or appearance of the final product.

Closing Thoughts

Turbidity is an essential measurement parameter in various fields. Turbidity meters provide accurate measurements with high repeatability, and they are among the most commonly used instruments for measuring water quality. Turbidity meters can be used in a wide range of applications, and their wide use assures the quality of the final product, enhancing process efficiency and ensuring regulatory compliance.