Everything You Need To Know About pH Sensor

A pH sensor is a scientific device that measures alkalinity and acidity in water and other liquids. It is a vital device used in many industries, including food, power plants, gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, beverage, primaries, oil, and wastewater. When it comes to measuring water quality, different pH sensors perform differently. As a result, it is critical to understand the various variations available to select the appropriate pH applications that will meet your needs. As a result, in this article, you will learn everything you need to know about pH sensors.

Table of Contents

What is a pH sensor?

One of the essential tools for measuring pH is the pH sensor. This sensor is widely used in water quality monitoring. This sensor can detect Acidity and alkalinity in water and other liquids. PH sensors, when used correctly, can guarantee the quality and safety of processes and products in wastewater treatment plants or manufacturing plants.

In most cases, a value in the range of 0-14 represents the standard pH range. The pH of a material having a value of 7 is regarded as neutral. Alkalinity is represented by pH values greater than 7, while the acidity is represented by pH values less than 7. For example, toothpaste typically has a pH of 8-9. The pH of stomach acid, on the other hand, is 2.

The distinction between acidic and alkaline substances is critical for any company that uses manufacturing processes, cooling towers, pool control, boilers, or other environmental monitoring devices. The human body’s normal pH is 7.4, which is required for the body to function properly. If the body’s pH becomes too acidic or alkaline, it appears to return to neutral.

Types of pH sensor

Regardless of the application, the pH sensor allows you to keep the pH level at the optimal level for the process. This could be anything from a caustic base to a strong acid. You can get a variety of pH sensors for your liquid measurement application, including process pH sensors, combination pH sensors, laboratory pH sensors, and differential pH sensors.

Combination pH sensor

A measurement electrode and a reference electrode are combined with pH sensors. The measurement electrode is meant to detect any variations in the pH value, while the reference electrode delivers a stable signal.

Differential sensors

Differential sensors are made up of three electrodes, with the metal ground electrode as the third. These sensors are one-of-a-kind in that they don’t contaminate the reference.

Laboratory sensors

Laboratory sensors can be made from a combination sensor in a plastic body and 12 mm glass. These sensors are made for simple tasks like environmental sampling and pool monitoring.

Process pH sensors

A combined sensor housed in a plastic housing and 12 mm glass can be used to make laboratory sensors. These sensors are made for simple tasks like pool monitoring and environmental sampling.

Different pH Sensors for Various Applications

A consumer-grade sensor would suffice for everyday consumer applications such as testing your tap water or monitoring the health of your local lake. It’s funny how names can be handy at times. Consumer-grade sensors with a simple combination can be quite inexpensive and endure for a few years. They are kept clean of contamination and hydrated —which is not a difficult task in most common test circumstances in relatively clean water.

However, if your application becomes more acidic or basic, or if your samples become severely contaminated, you’ll need to upgrade to a lab-grade sensor to accurately detect the resulting chemical solution or reactions. Verify the pH range specification of the assigned sensor to ensure that it will stand up in the field, as this is the most significant difference between consumer and lab-grade sensors. Another distinction is the temperature range caused by the external housing material, which will be explored later. This lab-grade sensor is also available as a tiny sensor!

For smaller applications and specific, two different sensors from this combination sensor family are in use. Each measuring and sensing electrode of a micro pH sensor has its cable, allowing the sensor tips to read signals in very small and shallow volumes of liquid. These micro pHs are well prepared for handling a wide range of pH and liquid conditions and are extensively employed in microfluidic experiments. In other words, who doesn’t want to pass through TSA inspections with a travel-size pH sensor?

In addition, the pH spear sensor is an excellent instrument for testing the pH of food, soil, and other puncture-worthy applications. This sensor,got a pin-point made of glass tip, that provide easy pH measurement and insertion regardless of samples. To avoid cross-contamination or buildup on the sensor tip, you’ll need to rinse it after each usage, as predicted. Despite the name, there is no need to puncture the sensor to obtain a pH reading; nevertheless, this spear sensor from Atlas Scientific can measure a wide pH range, exactly like a lab-grade sensor.

The industrial pH sensor, last but not least, belongs in its wheelhouse. Not to mention that the same sensor combination technology is used here. The EXR advanced sensing glass and thicker sensor enclosure, on the other hand, allow this device to function in practically any environment thanks to these modern materials. The sensor may be submerged for continuous pH monitoring. A one-stop store for all your needs. Furthermore, this industrial sensor may be screwed directly into a piping system, allowing continuous monitoring. The industrial pH sensor can handle pretty much any situation.

What material is the pH Sensor made of?

It’s easy to recognize the difference in the external casing between lab-grade, consumer-grade, and industrial sensors. The consumer and lab-grade sensors are made of Ultem and polycarbonate, respectively, while the industrial-grade sensor is made of cpvc. The strength, thermal resistance, and chemical resistance are the distinguishing features. The materials and their ability to withstand more hostile environments increase with the sensor’s price and grade. For example, the pH sensor’s temperature durability is much improved by chlorinated pvc.

The glass sensor tip, also known as the sensing material, is available in various grades and coatings to accommodate temperature and application variations. Higher-grade pH sensor materials allow for a larger pH range and differing sensitivities to typical water contaminants that might alter pH readings, such as sodium and chlorine. Additionally, some sensors include ISFET (ion-specific field-effect transistor electrodes, which are a better alternative to glass because they don’t require constant moisture for storage.

Finally, the internal chemicals in the sensors and the junctions that connect them to the outside world are made of various materials; however, for application purposes, most sensors use potassium chloride or silver chloride and a ceramic connection. Increasing the materials’ resilience or adding more connections would be for more demanding applications and polluted settings.

How to clean the pH sensor?

Cleaning your pH electrode is as simple as following a few basic steps. Using safety eyewear and gloves when working with pH electrodes is critical. The electrodes must always be kept in a liquid solution while they are not in use. It is no longer possible to utilize the electrode if it has dried out. Most electrodes are only available in a saline solution, and you can use them indefinitely.’

To clean the electrode, immerse it in a 95% water/5% hydrochloric acid solution. Most of the coating will disintegrate when the electrode is immersed in the solution. After soaking for 5-10 minutes, rinse the sensor. If the sensor’s coating is especially thick, the steps above should be done numerous times. Wipe the sensor using a soft cloth rather than an abrasive cloth or brush, as this will harm the electrode.

Why are different types of pH sensors important?

Maintaining the environment and water resources in today’s world is critical, as modern water pollution is growing increasingly severe. This subject is being discussed in countries all across the world. The industry is a vital part of the economy in several countries. They recognize that putting economic expansion ahead of environmental protection is not a good idea, but they must do so. As a result, global water contamination has become a major issue. Under this circumstance, sewage treatment equipment was created.

Industrial wastewater and Domestic sewage can be properly treated with sewage treatment equipment in metropolitan areas, preventing sewage and contaminants from running directly into bodies of water. The PH sensor is a crucial component of sewage treatment equipment.

The pH value is one of the most often used water quality assessment indicators, and natural water’s pH value is usually between 6 and 9. Water should have a pH value of 6.5 to 8.5. Some industrial water should have a pH of 7.0 to 8.5 to avoid corroding metal equipment and pipelines. Both pH and acidity, as well as alkalinity, are distinct but intertwined. The pH value measures the alkalinity and acidity of water, and the alkalinity or acidity is the amount of acid or alkali substances in the water. The pH shift in the water determines the degree of water pollution.

The aquatic organisms in the water will die if the pH is too high or too low. The PH value affects the toxicity of chemicals, dissolved oxygen, and heavy metals in the water. Most aquatic species prefer a pH range of 6.5 to 9.0, but some can survive in water with a pH higher than this.

As a result, a ph sensor is necessary to detect the ph value in the liquid, whether for aquaculture, industrial production, agricultural production, or sewage treatment, necessitating the selection of the appropriate ph sensor.

How to choose a pH electrode?

Water and wastewater, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, power plants, primary, gas, and oil industries employ pH sensors and transmitters. The application determines which sensor to use. Choose glass sensor reference system and diaphragm depending your requirements. When glass breaking isn’t an option, or there are a lot of organic solvents in the medium, ISFET sensors are the way to go. Enamel sensors are the way to go when long-term reliability and low maintenance are needed.

Benefits

Poor water quality can directly impact your return on investment since the water you use in different industrial processes is crucial to the service quality and commodities you deliver. Water quality management through various systems is also important to meet strict environmental, industry, and safety criteria.

This sort of water quality management specializes in water pretreatment for manufacturing applications and allows you to remove contaminants from influent water before using it in several manufacturing processes. Operating efficiency will improve, heating and cooling efficiency will increase, and you will be able to maintain compliance with the appropriate water quality requirements more effectively if these pollutants are removed.

Poor water quality can create health concerns, rough clothing, dull hair, and dry, itchy skin in ordinary users. In terms of water quality and treatment, PH sensors are crucial. The water might be dangerous if the pH of a water treatment facility is too high or too low.

Keep in mind that pH variations might be expensive to correct. More chemicals must be utilized to remove the trash, resulting in increased downtime and expenses. A pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 is considered neutral in normal wastewater treatment plants.

Maintaining this water volume and regularly testing pH should help keep costs down. However, different pH sensors must be used to obtain the greatest water quality. For example, adding a third electrode to a differential sensor makes the sensor suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, including wet scrubbers.

Last But Not Least

You’ll always be able to discover a pH meter that matches your needs, whether you need one that is extremely accurate, portable, or stable. They all have a design that fits a variety of criteria. However, if you have a specific use for a pH meter, it’s important to read the description sheet to ensure that the laboratory sensor supplies don’t impact the pH readings.

Conclusion

If you need a pH sensor for a specific application, examine the specification documents to ensure the sensor materials won’t interfere with your pH readings. You shouldn’t have to be concerned with that degree of detail. To select the appropriate grade and kind of pH sensor, determine your application’s pH range and temperature range.

In conclusion, the differential and combination sensors are the two main types of pH sensors. When looking for a sensor to match your demands, the options include consumer and laboratory-grade, spear and micro, industrial, and other pH sensors, all of which use a combination type of pH sensor. To that end, before buying a pH sensor, be sure you know what you’re doing and where you’ll measure pH.

For more details or purchase of pH sensors or other electrical components, contact us at ICRFQ. We manufacture the best electrical components in China.