Application · Turbidity measurement
Filter Breakthrough Detection with Inline Turbidity
A filter works quietly until it breaks through. Then particles and suspended solids pass into your product and downstream equipment. An inline turbidity sensor directly after the filter detects the breakthrough the moment it happens, not at the next sample.
Inline measurement without sampling
Readings in NTU, FTU, EBC or ppm
Calibration interval typically up to 24 months
Applications
Where filtration monitoring matters
Breweries
Filtration monitoring in brewing and centrifuge inlet and outlet, measured in EBC, for example.
Beverages and food
Filtration in beverage and food production, with dead-space-free cells certified for food applications.
Water treatment
Drinking water and well water treatment, at filter inlet and outlet.
Chemicals and petrochemicals
Filtration and product separation, for example at centrifuge inlet and outlet.
Risk
What an unnoticed breakthrough costs
Product
Hazy or contaminated product has to be reprocessed or discarded.
Downstream equipment
Downstream equipment such as membranes or heat exchangers gets fouled.
Quality
In beverages and food, complaints and quality deviations follow.
Monitoring
Why inline instead of grab samples
A breakthrough often happens suddenly, for example when the filter cake cracks or a membrane fails. A lab sample shows it only after the product has moved on.
An inline turbidity analyzer delivers a continuous reading. A limit value triggers an alarm immediately, for example to switch to recirculation or a standby filter. A slowly rising trend can also point to an exhausted filter early on.
instant
alarm at the limit, for example switch to recirculation
trend
makes gradual changes visible
0–0.5 ppm
smallest typical measuring range of the MoniTurb-C-F
Measuring principle
12° forward scattering: how the sensor measures after the filter
After a filter, the product is almost clear. Scattered light measurement is designed for such low to moderate particle concentrations: a focused light beam passes through the medium, and suspended particles scatter part of it. A detector at an angle of 12° captures this forward-scattered light. The more particles in the medium, the stronger the signal.
Calibration is done in the unit you work with: NTU, FTU, EBC or ppm. More on methods and units: Turbidity Measurement in the Process.
Ratio method
Stable despite color and fouling
With the ratio method, the transmitted light is also captured as a reference, and a ratio of scattered and transmitted light is formed.
This largely compensates for product color, lamp aging and light fouling of the optics. Typical calibration and maintenance intervals are up to 24 months.
View turbidity systemsRatio method
Scattered light
——————
Transmitted light
= turbidity value
More particles mean more scattered light. Color, fouling and lamp aging are largely compensated by the ratio.
Sensors
Suitable sensors
TURBIsmart-F
12° forward scattering, for beverages, brewing and filtration monitoring, among others. Installed in dead-space-free TH-Variline cells certified for food applications. DN 25 to DN 125, up to 120 °C (140 °C short-term), CIP-compatible. Calibration and maintenance interval typically approx. 24 months, NIR LED approx. 5 years. View the TURBIsmart-F
MoniTurb-C-F
12° forward scattering for process lines up to 16 bar and 140 °C, DN 25 to DN 150. Typical measuring ranges 0–0.5 ppm and 0–8,000 ppm, optional cleaning probe, ATEX Zone 1 / Zone 2 optional. View the MoniTurb-C-F
MoniTurb-C-FS
Combines 12° and 90° scattered light: 90° is particularly sensitive to small, finely dispersed particles, while larger particles weigh more strongly at 12°. Comparing both gives an indication of the particle size distribution, for example at filter inlet and outlet in drinking water treatment. View the MoniTurb-C-FS
Installation
Installation and operation
The right sensor depends on medium, hygiene requirements, pressure and temperature. We clarify this in the requirements analysis.
Measuring point
Directly in the filter outlet, as close to the filter as possible, so a breakthrough shows immediately.
Comparison
A second measuring point at the filter inlet shows how well the filter performs.
Response
Reading and limit contacts go to your control system, which can switch to recirculation or bring a standby filter online, for example.
Cleaning
TURBIsmart-F and MoniTurb-C-F are CIP-compatible, and an optional cleaning probe is available for the MoniTurb-C-F.
Working together
Four steps to filter monitoring
We support you from the first question to commissioning.
01
Contact
You describe your application by phone or email.
02
Requirements analysis
We review medium, filter and installation point and recommend the right sensor.
03
Customization
We configure measuring cell, materials, process connection and calibration for your application.
04
Installation
On request, our technicians support installation and commissioning and connect the system to your controls.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about filter monitoring
Which unit do the sensors measure in?
In the unit of your process: NTU, FTU, EBC or ppm. Calibration is application-specific.
Does product color affect the reading?
The ratio of scattered and transmitted light largely compensates for color.
How often does the sensor need calibration?
The typical calibration and maintenance interval is about 24 months, depending on range and application.
Can I measure before and after the filter?
Yes. Two measuring points show filter performance and reveal a breakthrough at the outlet immediately.
Are hygienic versions available?
Yes. The TURBIsmart-F is installed in dead-space-free measuring cells certified for food applications.
Inquiry
Planning filter monitoring?
Briefly describe your application. We review it and get back to you with a proposal for the right sensor.
Helpful for your quotation: medium and filter, normal turbidity and required alarm limit with unit, temperature, pressure and pipe size, hygiene requirements, hazardous area and required signals. Anything you do not know yet, we clarify together.
Prefer to talk? Call us or email info@chemtronic-gmbh.de.
+49 (0) 2173 57007