Sensors & Transducers


Differential ORP sensors

April 2005 Sensors & Transducers

The compact (1-inch) ORP sensors from PREI Instrumentation use three measuring electrodes compared with conventional ORP sensors, which use only two electrodes. Compared to the conventional combination technique, the differential electrode technique provides measurements of greater stability over longer periods of time with less maintenance.

All oxidation-reduction potential measurement systems are based on the principle of an electrochemical cell in which two electrodes (either platinum or gold) are placed in a solution capable of carrying a charge. An electrical potential develops between the electrodes. In a combination sensor the reference electrode is easily contaminated by the solution being monitored. For this reason, the Hach GLI differential system uses a reference electrode in a concentrated buffer, which is mechanically isolated from the solution being measured. A double junction salt bridge allows the electrical circuit to be completed, and makes it extremely difficult for a contaminating amount of solution being measured, to migrate into the inner reference chamber.

A measure of the power of a substance to gain electrons is called the Oxidation Reduction Potential (sometimes referred to as the Redox Potential). Oxidation and reduction always occur together, with one substance accepting the electrons that the other loses. For example, in the reaction of sodium with chlorine, the sodium atom loses an electron and is therefore oxidised while the chlorine atom gains an electron and is said to be reduced.

The response of an ORP sensor is non-specific, and therefore it is difficult to correlate the output with the concentration of a species. For this reason it is usual to use the ORP millivolt measurement (as it stands) to control a process, rather then converting the millivolts into concentration or other units.

Typical applications are in the textile industry, wastewater and metal finishing and include chlorine proportioning, nitrite detoxication, cyanide detoxication and chromate detoxication (converting Chrome 6 to Chrome 3 etc).

For more information contact Buks Brits, PREI Instrumentation, 011 448 2172.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Enhanced automated weld inspection system
Sensors & Transducers
SmartRay is offering the release of new hardware for its weld inspection system, JOSY, delivering elevated performance and flexibility in the process.

Read more...
Leaders in sensor technology
Gail Norton Instrumentation Sensors & Transducers
Photoelectric eyes have always needed perfect working conditions, but in the workplace there is no such thing. Steam, water, light and dirt interfere with most photoelectric eyes, but never with a Telco sensor.

Read more...
Easy parameter setting of vision sensors
ifm - South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Contour verification and object inspection are two of the most important functionalities in industrial imaging. With the new O2D5xx series, ifm now offers a solution that perfectly masters both functionalities

Read more...
Keeping a close eye on product quality and purity
Endress+Hauser South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Colour measurements are necessary in many processes to avoid product losses and ensure safe production and batching. The Memosens Wave CKI50 process spectrometer from Endress+Hauser is a compact, robust and process-friendly device allowing quality, batching and phase checks to be performed by a single instrument for the entire visible colour spectrum.

Read more...
The sensory reaction of building management systems
Schneider Electric South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems (BMS) cannot function properly without sensors. This is so critical that if sensors start failing, they can become ‘blind’.

Read more...
High-precision automated inspection
Sensors & Transducers
Delivering advanced inline metrology to an expanding range of challenging industries, SmartRay is launching the smallest field-of-view 3D sensor of its cutting-edge ECCO X series.

Read more...
Long-range laser distance measuring sensor
Vepac Electronics Sensors & Transducers
The MS-100A is a long-range laser distance measuring sensor with a range of 150 to 1000 mm. This sensor excels in applications requiring extended measurement capabilities, such as quality control and logistics.

Read more...
The power of smart maintenance for securing water supply
Omron Electronics Sensors & Transducers
The water industry plays an essential role in delivering safe drinking water and effective wastewater services to society and various industries. A lack of maintenance could have severe consequences, as even the failure of a single component can significantly impact operations, and maintenance expenses represent a substantial part of the overall costs of water and pumping systems.

Read more...
Rotary atomisers for efficient paint spraying
Instrotech Sensors & Transducers
Painting the bodywork is an integral component of vehicle manufacturing. Keller supplied intrinsically safe pressure transmitters and intrinsically safe temperature sensors to a client producing paint robots for the car industry.

Read more...
The smallest most powerful infrared sensor in the world
Sensors & Transducers
The superior performance and robustness of Telco’s infrared sensors ensures that there are no limits to any mining and industrial applications.

Read more...