Dissolved Ammonia Monitor Enables Effective Control of Wastewater Systems

Specialist electrochemical sensor manufacturer Analytical Technology (UK) announces that its recently launched Q45N Dissolved Ammonia Monitor achieves continuous, on-line monitoring of wastewater. Continuous monitoring of ammonia in wastewater is becoming increasingly important for plant operations and process control. Analytical
Technology`s dissolved ammonia monitor enables companies to effectively control the levels of ammonia in their effluent. The innovative Q45N monitor from Analytical Technology offers a completely novel approach to on-line monitoring of ammonia, which is simpler to use and more stable than conventional monitoring equipment.
The levels of ammonia in wastewater effluent must be strictly controlled as excessive levels of the substance can be toxic to animal and plant life. Acceptable levels of ammonia in wastewater are set out by the Environment Agency in the consent to discharge awarded to organisations. In order to comply with these regulations, it is essential that companies utilise effective and reliable monitoring instrumentation.
Traditional ammonia monitors are expensive, complex and labourintensive
instruments which use automated versions of ammonia selective ion
electrodes methods better suited to laboratory measurements. The Q45N
dissolved ammonia monitor from Analytical Technology overcomes these
problems by using reaction chemistry to convert ammonia in a solution to a stable monochloramine compound, equivalent in concentration to the
original ammonia level. The chloramine concentration is then measured with a unique amperometric sensor that responds linearly to chloramines while eliminating interface from excess free chlorine in solution.
Reagents are inexpensive and usage is low, and as a consequence
the monitor offers a very low cost of ownership. The monitor has two
4-20mA outputs programmable for free ammonia, total ammonia and
monochloramine concentration. This allows all the important parameters to be measured on a single instrument. The amperometric sensor also provides excellent repeatability over long periods of time.