Introduction
A turbidity analyzer is an instrument used to measure the turbidity of the water and the other liquids, which is a measure of the cloudiness caused by the suspended particles, and it is used in the water treatment, the environmental monitoring, the food and the beverage, and the many other industries. The turbidity analyzer measures the turbidity by the measurement of the scattering of the light by the particles in the sample, using the nephelometric method, in which the light scattered at a specified angle, typically 90 degrees, is measured, and the turbidity is expressed in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), and it may use the other methods, such as the transmitted light and the ratio methods; the turbidity analyzer consists of a light source, a sample cell, a detector, and a control and a display unit, and it provides features such as the calibration, the data logging, and the measurement in the various ranges; the turbidity analyzer is used for the monitoring of the turbidity of the drinking water, for the monitoring of the turbidity in the wastewater, for the monitoring of the surface water, for the process monitoring in the food and the beverage industry, for the quality control, for the compliance with the regulations, and for many other applications, and it is available as the portable, the benchtop, and the online analyzers; the turbidity analyzer is an essential instrument for the water quality monitoring. Turbidity analyzers are used in the water treatment plants, in the environmental monitoring, in the food and the beverage industry, in the industrial facilities, and for many other applications. With their turbidity measurement, turbidity analyzers are essential for the water quality assessment.
Portable Turbidity Analyzer LTA-T2011
Portable Turbidity Analyzer ensures measurement accuracy with repeatability of less than or equal to 3% and minimum resolution of 0.01NTU. Provides storage for nearly 10,000 data records...
Portable Turbidity Analyzer LTA-T2010
Portable Turbidity Analyzer provides a measuring range of 0 to 400NTU, with minimum resolution of 0.01NTU. It provides excellent optical stability with absorbance drift with less than or...
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer LTA-T2013
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer provides measurement accuracy with minimum resolution of 0.01NTU. Features resistance to various light interferences, ensuring high accuracy and stability. Pr...
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer LTA-T2012
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer provides measuring range of 0 to 400NTU with repeatability of ≤3%. It can save 10 standard curves and 199 measured values, and data will not be lost even whe...
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer LTA-T2011
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer provides error-free measurement with minimum resolution of 0.01NTU. It can store up to 200 factory curves, 3000 user curves and up to 99,999 data records. The...
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer LTA-T2010
Benchtop Turbidity Analyzer measuring range within 0 to 400NTU. It utilizes cold light source and narrow-band interference optical system, providing excellent optical stability. It can s...
Standards
ISO 7027-1:2016-Water quality-Determination of turbidity-Quantitative methods
Complies with the above standards, but is not limited to them.
Features
1. Turbidity analyzer for measuring cloudiness/haze in water caused by suspended particles using nephelometry.
2. Benchtop or portable turbidity meter measuring scattered light at 90 degrees to determine NTU/FNU turbidity.
3. Suitable for water treatment, environmental, wastewater, beverage, pharmaceutical and quality control labs.
4. Includes analyzer body, sample vials/cuvettes, turbidity standards, power supply and operation manual.
5. Supports turbidity measurement in NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) or FNU for drinking water, wastewater and process water.
FAQ
Q1: What testing scenarios is this analyzer mainly applied to?
A: The turbidity analyzer is used in water treatment, environmental monitoring, wastewater, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and quality control laboratories to measure turbidity (cloudiness/haze) in water and liquids, caused by suspended particles (clay, silt, plankton, microbes, organic matter), providing a key indicator of water clarity, treatment efficiency, and contamination. It supports drinking water treatment (raw water (influent turbidity - affects treatment dosing), filtered water (filtration efficiency - turbidity <0.1-1 NTU for properly filtered water; EPA requires <0.3 NTU in 95% of measurements for surface water treatment), distribution system (monitor for contamination, pipe corrosion, sediment resuspension), wastewater (influent (raw sewage turbidity 100-500+ NTU), effluent (discharge permit limits, typically <5-30 NTU; secondary treatment <30 NTU), filtration efficiency, process control), environmental (rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs, estuaries, groundwater (turbidity as indicator of erosion, runoff, algal blooms, sediment resuspension; ecological impact on aquatic life), stormwater (construction site runoff, urban runoff - regulatory monitoring), beverage (brewing (wort, beer clarity - filtration efficiency, product quality; bottled beer turbidity for haze/stability), bottled water (turbidity specs for clarity/appearance), wine (clarity after fining/filtration), soft drinks), pharmaceutical (purified water (PW), water for injection (WFI - very low turbidity, <0.1 NTU), parenteral solutions (particulate matter - related but different method), clean-in-place (CIP) rinse water), chemical (process water, plating baths, chemical solutions, final product clarity), and research/education (limnology, oceanography, water quality research, teaching labs). Turbidity is measured by nephelometry: a light source (LED/incandescent) illuminates sample, and a detector at 90 degrees measures scattered light. More suspended particles = more scattering = higher turbidity. Units: NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units, EPA/US standard) or FNU (Formazin Nephelometric Units, ISO standard - essentially equivalent for low ranges). Range: 0-1000+ NTU (drinking water <1 NTU, wastewater 5-500 NTU, raw water 10-1000+ NTU).
Q2: What standards does the analyzer comply with?
A: The turbidity analyzer follows relevant ISO, EPA, ASTM, OIV and GB/T standards including ISO 7027 (water quality - determination of turbidity - nephelometric method), EPA Method 180.1 (determination of turbidity by nephelometry - US drinking water), ASTM D7315 (standard test method for determination of turbidity above 1 NTU), ASTM D6681 (turbidity of water), OIV methods (wine turbidity), and GB/T standards for water turbidity. The hardware complies with applicable analytical instrument standards (accuracy +/- 2% of reading or +/- 0.02 NTU, resolution 0.01 NTU), EMC (IEC 61326), and EPA/ISO design specifications (90-degree scattering angle, light source wavelength per method: EPA 180.1 uses tungsten lamp (400-680 nm), ISO 7027 uses near-infrared LED (860 nm) to reduce color interference). Calibration uses certified turbidity standards: formazin (primary standard, EPA/ISO traceable) or AMCO-AEPA (secondary, polymer microspheres, more stable, non-toxic) at 0, 10, 100, 1000 NTU (or as appropriate). For drinking water, follow EPA Method 180.1 (tungsten source) or ISO 7027 (IR LED). For wastewater, follow EPA/NPDES methods. For beverage, follow ASBC (brewing) or OIV (wine) methods. For pharmaceutical water, follow USP (turbidity/particulate) and cGMP. For regulated labs, follow ISO 17025 and maintain calibration records. Note: EPA 180.1 and ISO 7027 use different light sources (tungsten vs IR LED) - readings may differ slightly for colored samples; specify method used.
Q3: What is the warranty period for the whole analyzer and key components?
A: The whole turbidity analyzer is covered by a 12-24 month warranty (analytical instruments often 2 years). The optical chamber, light source (LED/lamp), detector, electronics, and housing are covered, while sample vials/cuvettes (consumable - glass vials can scratch/scuff (scratches cause false high turbidity; replace regularly), calibration standards (consumable - formazin expires/settles; AMCO more stable), and light source (LED lasts 10000+ hours; incandescent lamp needs periodic replacement) are consumables/accessories. Damage from improper use, scratched/dirty vials (biggest source of error - handle vials carefully, use silicone oil to mask minor scratches), liquid spill into optical chamber (corrodes optics - clean promptly), using wrong/expired standard, dropping (portable units), light source degradation, or unauthorized repair is excluded. Extended warranty and service contracts (calibration, lamp replacement) may be available. Electronics/detector last 5-10 years; LED light source lasts 10000+ hours (years); incandescent lamp 1-3 years; vials need replacement when scratched (3-12 months depending on handling).
Q4: Is this device difficult to operate? Is professional training required?
A: Operation is simple for basic turbidity measurement. No professional training required for routine use, but proper technique (vial handling, sample prep, calibration) is critical (turbidity is very sensitive to vial condition and bubbles). We provide operation manuals. Proper setup (place on stable, level bench away from direct sunlight/heat (light/temp affects optics), connect power, turn on, allow warm-up (15-30 min for light source stabilization), prepare sample vials (use clean, scratch-free vials (inspect for scratches/scuffs - scratched vials cause false high turbidity; use matched vial set; some methods recommend coating vial with silicone oil to mask minor scratches and reduce reflection), pour sample into vial (fill to mark, typically 10-20 mL; do not overfill), degas if needed (bubbles cause false high turbidity - let stand, sonicate gently, or use vacuum degassing for supersaturated samples; do not stir vigorously (creates bubbles)), wipe vial exterior (lint-free cloth, remove fingerprints, water droplets, dust - fingerprints cause scattering), calibration (use certified standards (formazin or AMCO-AEPA) at 0 (blank - DI water <0.02 NTU), and 1-2 points spanning expected range (e.g., 10, 100 NTU); pour standard into clean vial, wipe, insert into chamber, close lid, wait for stable reading, calibrate/set; for multi-point: 0, 10, 100, 1000 NTU; formazin standards must be mixed well (shake gently, avoid bubbles) and are less stable (use fresh); AMCO standards are stable and ready-to-use; calibrate before each use or daily (turbidity meters drift, especially with lamp warm-up), sample measurement (insert sample vial into chamber (align vial mark/keyway for consistent orientation), close lid (blocks ambient light), wait for stable reading (10-30 sec), read NTU/FNU, record (with sample ID, date, time, operator), for high turbidity (>1000 NTU or beyond range): dilute with turbidity-free DI water (measure dilution factor, calculate original = reading x dilution factor; note: dilution can be non-linear for some samples (particle interactions) - report dilution), for colored samples: color can absorb light (affects turbidity reading); ISO 7027 (IR LED 860 nm) minimizes color interference vs EPA 180.1 (tungsten); for highly colored samples, use ratio/IR method or report with caveat), post-measurement (empty vial, rinse with DI water, clean (mild detergent if needed), rinse, dry (store inverted or covered to keep dust-free), clean optical chamber (wipe with soft cloth if spilled; do not touch detector/window), maintenance (daily: clean vials, wipe exterior, check calibration (0 NTU blank check); weekly: inspect vials for scratches (replace bad ones), clean chamber window, verify lamp intensity; monthly: full multi-point calibration, replace vials if scratched, lamp/LED check (if readings drift/unstable), semi-annually/annually: professional calibration (optical alignment, detector verification, lamp replacement if incandescent), troubleshooting (readings unstable/high (bubbles in sample (degas), vial scratched/dirty (replace/clean), dust in chamber (clean), sample not homogeneous (particles settling - mix gently (no bubbles), read quickly), light source warming up (wait), calibration error (recalibrate with fresh standard), readings too low (sample settled (mix), vial not aligned (align mark), color absorption (use IR/ratio method), standard expired (replace), zero drift (recalibrate blank), readings not reproducible (vial orientation (always align same way), particles settling (read quickly after mixing), bubbles (degas), vial scratches (use matched vials), meter not reading (vial not seated, lid open (ambient light), power issue, lamp failure (service), and safety (SAMPLE HAZARD (wastewater, environmental samples may contain pathogens, chemicals - wear PPE (gloves, lab coat, eye protection); decontaminate spills; for drinking water, standard precautions), CHEMICAL (calibration standards: formazin (contains hexamethylenetetramine and hydrazine sulfate - hydrazine is toxic/carcinogenic! handle with care, use fume hood, PPE, dispose as hazardous waste; AMCO-AEPA is safer (polymer microspheres, non-toxic) - preferred; cleaning solutions), GLASS (vials are glass - handle carefully, broken glass = sharps; dispose properly), ELECTRICAL (proper grounding, do not spill liquid into meter, do not use with wet hands), do not use scratched vials (inaccurate readings - this is the #1 error), do not expose meter to direct sunlight (affects optics), for low-turbidity samples (<0.1 NTU, WFI): use ultra-clean vials, particle-free DI water blank, careful technique (dust is a major interference), for regulatory reporting: specify method (EPA 180.1 vs ISO 7027) and units (NTU vs FNU) as they can differ for colored samples) are important for accurate turbidity measurement.
Q5: What is the typical lead-time for order delivery?
A: Standard models require 7-30 working days. In-stock units can ship within 3-7 working days. Custom configurations or large built-to-order systems may require additional time, and we confirm the exact schedule before order confirmation.
Q6: Is regular calibration required? What is the recommended calibration cycle?
A: Calibration recommended: zero (blank) check before each use; 1-2 point calibration daily or before each batch (turbidity meters drift with lamp warm-up and temperature); full multi-point calibration (0, 10, 100, 1000 NTU) every 1-3 months or per quality system. If meter is moved, lamp replaced, vial set changed, or readings seem off, recalibrate immediately. Routine verification: check with a standard (e.g., 10 NTU) before each use or at start of shift. For ISO 17025/EPA/NPDES regulated labs, follow applicable calibration schedules and maintain records (calibration certificates, standard lot/expiry, as-found/as-left data, vial ID, lamp hours). Turbidity calibration standards: formazin is primary but unstable (prepare fresh or use stabilized formazin; expires 6-12 months); AMCO-AEPA is secondary but stable (years), non-toxic, and accepted by EPA/ISO for calibration verification. For drinking water compliance (EPA), calibrate per Method 180.1 with formazin or approved secondary standards. Vial condition is critical - use matched, scratch-free vials and verify with standards regularly. For low-range meters (<1 NTU), more frequent calibration and careful technique are needed.
Q7: Are supporting consumables universal?
A: Sample vials/cuvettes (consumable - specific to meter model (diameter, height, glass type; use matched vial set from manufacturer or certified compatible; scratches are major error source), calibration standards (formazin or AMCO-AEPA - universal from water quality supply (Hach, Hanna, GFS, Thermo) but use certified traceable; AMCO is preferred for stability/safety), zero standard (turbidity-free DI water - lab-prepared or bottled), cleaning supplies (mild detergent, lens wipes, silicone oil for vials), and light source (LED/incandescent lamp - specific to model) are available from lab/water quality supply companies, though vials and lamps are often meter-specific (use OEM or certified matched vials to maintain accuracy and warranty). Long-term consumable cost includes vial replacement (periodic, when scratched) and calibration standards (regular purchase; AMCO is more expensive upfront but lasts years).
Q8: Can I customize parameters or supporting accessories?
A: Customization includes type (benchtop (lab, high accuracy, multiple ranges, power) or portable/field (battery, rugged, IP67, for field sampling)), method/light source (EPA 180.1 (tungsten lamp, 400-680 nm, US drinking water standard) or ISO 7027 (IR LED 860 nm, international, less color interference) or ratio turbidimeter (measures transmitted + scattered light, corrects for color/absorbance, most accurate for colored samples)), range (low-range (0-40 NTU, resolution 0.01, for drinking water/WFI) or wide-range (0-1000/4000 NTU, for wastewater/raw water) or auto-ranging), display/control (basic (LED, single range) or advanced (color display, multi-range, data logging (1000+ points), USB/Bluetooth export, PC software, GLP/GMP compliance (user ID, calibration records), alarms, multi-language), accessories (extra matched vials (multiple, for high throughput), calibration standard kit (0, 10, 100, 1000 NTU AMCO/formazin), silicone oil (for vials), zero standard (DI water), printer, spare lamp (if incandescent), carrying case (portable), calibration certificate (ISO 17025), certifications (CE, FCC, ISO 9001, EPA 180.1/ISO 7027 compliance), language and accessories. Additional vials, standards, and accessories can be ordered separately.
Q9: Does the purchase include on-site installation and commissioning service?
A: Standard delivery includes turbidity analyzer, sample vials (matched set), calibration standards (initial), power supply, and instruction manual. On-site installation is not required for standard benchtop/portable meters (unbox, warm up, calibrate, use). On-site training is not included for standard orders but can be arranged at additional cost (for water utility/wastewater teams on EPA/ISO methods, vial handling, sample prep (degassing), calibration, and regulatory documentation). Remote guidance provided. Always calibrate with fresh standard before measuring samples.
Q10: What types of samples are compatible with this equipment?
A: The turbidity analyzer measures turbidity of various clear to moderately turbid liquids including drinking water (raw, treated, distribution - 0.1-10 NTU), wastewater (influent, effluent, process - 5-500 NTU), natural water (river, lake, groundwater, stormwater - 1-1000+ NTU), beverage (beer, wort, wine, juice, bottled water - 0.1-10 NTU for finished products), pharmaceutical water (PW, WFI - <0.1 NTU), process water (industrial, cooling, boiler), and chemical solutions (clear to slightly turbid). NOT compatible with: Highly turbid samples beyond range (>1000-4000 NTU depending on model - dilute with turbidity-free DI water, but note non-linearity), samples with large/rapidly settling particles (settle during reading - mix gently and read quickly, or use different method), colored samples without correction (color absorbs light - use IR LED (ISO 7027) or ratio turbidimeter; report method), opaque/dark samples (no light passes - cannot measure by nephelometry; use attenuation/absorption method), non-liquid samples (turbidity is for liquids), samples with bubbles (must degas - bubbles cause false high), and samples that attack vial material (verify glass/plastic compatibility; some solvents may etch or craze vials = scattering). For very low turbidity (<0.01 NTU, e.g., UPW/semiconductor): use integrating sphere or laser nephelometer with ultra-clean vials (standard benchtop may not have enough resolution). For particulate matter in pharmaceuticals (parenterals): use light obscuration or membrane microscopy (USP <788>), not standard turbidity (related but different method). IMPORTANT: Turbidity analyzer fundamentals: (1) What is turbidity? Turbidity = cloudiness/haze in liquid caused by suspended particles (clay, silt, plankton, microbes, organic matter, precipitates). It is an optical measurement of light scattering, NOT a direct measure of suspended solids concentration (TSS is gravimetric, mg/L; turbidity correlates with TSS but is not the same - correlation depends on particle size/color/shape). (2) How nephelometry works: - Light source (LED or incandescent) illuminates sample. - Suspended particles scatter light in all directions. - Detector at 90 degrees to incident beam measures scattered light intensity. - More scattering = higher turbidity. - 90-degree detection is most sensitive to small particles and minimizes interference from color/absorption (vs transmitted light). (3) Units: - NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): US/EPA standard (EPA 180.1, tungsten lamp). - FNU (Formazin Nephelometric Units): ISO standard (ISO 7027, IR LED). Essentially equivalent to NTU at low ranges for colorless samples. - Other: FAU (Formazin Attenuation Units, transmitted light), FTU (Formazin Turbidity Units, older). - Always report unit and method (EPA vs ISO) as they can differ for colored samples. (4) Standards: - Formazin: Primary standard (polymer formed from hexamethylenetetramine + hydrazine sulfate). Hydrazine is toxic/carcinogenic. Unstable (settles, changes over time). Use fresh or stabilized. - AMCO-AEPA: Secondary standard (polystyrene divinylbenzene polymer microspheres, uniform size). Stable (years), non-toxic, easy to use. Accepted by EPA/ISO for calibration and verification. - Gelex: Another secondary standard (stabilized gel). (5) Typical turbidity values: - Ultra-pure water (UPW): <0.001 NTU - WFI/PW (pharma): <0.1 NTU - Drinking water (treated): <0.1-1 NTU (EPA: <0.3 NTU in 95% of monthly measurements, max 5 NTU) - Good quality lake/river: 1-10 NTU - Turbid river (after rain): 10-200 NTU - Raw wastewater influent: 100-500+ NTU - Treated wastewater effluent: 5-30 NTU - Muddy floodwater: 1000+ NTU (6) Regulatory limits: - US EPA Surface Water Treatment Rule: Filtered water turbidity <0.3 NTU in 95% of measurements, never exceed 5 NTU. - WHO: <5 NTU for drinking water (ideally <1). - Wastewater NPDES permits: typically <5-30 NTU for effluent (varies by facility). - Construction stormwater: often <25-50 NTU or 10-20 NTU above baseline. (7) Key error sources: - Vial condition (#1): Scratches, fingerprints, dust on vial exterior cause scattering = false high. Use matched, clean vials; wipe with lint-free cloth; silicone oil can mask minor scratches. - Bubbles: Dissolved gases come out of solution, stirring creates bubbles = false high. Degas (let stand, sonicate, vacuum). - Color: Colored samples absorb light = false low (tungsten source more affected than IR). Use IR LED (860 nm) or ratio turbidimeter. - Particle settling: Large particles settle during reading = decreasing turbidity. Mix gently (avoid bubbles), read quickly. - Calibration: Expired/settled standards, wrong standard. Calibrate regularly with fresh standard. - Light source: Lamp aging/instability. Warm up 15-30 min, verify intensity. - Temperature: Affects particle size and refractive index; control if critical. - Sample homogeneity: Particles settle, stratify. Mix before pouring. (8) Turbidity vs TSS: - Turbidity (NTU): Optical scattering, fast, no reagents, field-portable. Indicator of clarity. - TSS (mg/L): Gravimetric (filter, dry, weigh). Direct measure of suspended solids. Slow, lab-based. - They correlate but are not interchangeable: same TSS can give different turbidity depending on particle size (fine particles scatter more), color, shape. For regulatory reporting, use the specified method (turbidity for drinking water, TSS for wastewater often). (9) Choosing the right turbidimeter: - Drinking water/WFI (low range, <1 NTU): Low-range benchtop, EPA 180.1 or ISO 7027, 0.01 NTU resolution, matched vials. - Wastewater/raw water (high range): Wide-range (0-1000+ NTU), portable for field. - Colored samples: Ratio turbidimeter or IR LED (ISO 7027). - Field monitoring: Portable, battery, rugged, IP67. - Regulatory compliance: Specify EPA 180.1 or ISO 7027 per jurisdiction. - High throughput: Multi-vial auto-changer (research/utility labs).
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