Particle Counter – ParticleSense

Improvements in water treatment have greatly reduced the risk posed by possible Cryptosporidia outbreaks following well published outbreaks around the world in the 1990s and later. As part of these improvements most filters have been fitted with turbidity meters that are great at picking up coagulation failures. In some regions filter banks have also been fitted with Particle Counters as they have proven to be better at picking up the initial stages of filter breakthrough or ‘channelling’ (where the water meter finds a way through the filter media without being filtered).

Using Turbidity Meters AND Particle Counters on the outlet of a filter not only provides an indication when there are more small particles (turbidity) but also when the larger Cryptosporidia size particles are coming through (particle counter).

Improvements in technology now means that a filter bank can be fitted with particle counters for a similar price to turbidity.

Coagulation Failure vs Filter Breakthrough

In most Cryptosporidium outbreaks there has been a failure of both coagulation and filtration. If coagulation fails then un-coagulated particles can pass straight through a filter. A turbidity meter would pick this up and show the operator that there was something wrong.

If, however, the filter starts to pass large, Crypto sized particles, or to break down, or to ‘channel’ (a channel opens in the filter from top to bottom) it is unlikely that this will be picked up by a turbidity meter, but can clearly be seen with a particle counter.

Costs

In the past, to install a bank of 8 filters with a particle counter would have meant a capital cost of approximately £32,000 which has been a stumbling block for many. Now Pi has made a multipoint analyser providing the same functionality for approximately £18,000 taking away much of the price objection.

Particle Counter Vs Turbidity… Which One?

Turbidity Meters are more sensitive to smaller particles which are present if coagulation fails.

Particle Counters are more sensitive to filtration failures.
So which do you need? You need both.

Why not contact us and see what we may be able to do to help you reduce your risk of a Cryptosporidia outbreak.

Particle Counter – ParticleSense

You probably know that Particle Counters are really expensive, complex to run, give out too much information and have to be sent-off for re-calibration? NO LONGER! Particle Counter technology has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years! Did you know that…
…the price per point can often be even lower than turbidity?
…calibration of a particle counter can now be done easily on site and by the customers?
…a particle counter can now give a single ‘ppb’ output (as well as size and count information)?

CounterSense, FilterSense and ParticleSense

Working closely with Chemtrac Inc. one of the worlds leading particle counter sensor manufacturers, Pi has developed a stunning range of Particle Counters for the online measurement of particles in water.

Filter Optimisation

Nearly every filter used in portable water treatment has a turbidity meter monitoring the outlet. Turbidity is a great tool for measuring the cloudiness of the water but it is only telling you half the story!

Process optimisation using a Particle Counter

Filters are typically backwashed based on time and pressure differential.

Each time a filter is backwashed it involves significant cost, both financial and environmental. When filters start to break down they pass larger particles first and these are not seen by turbidity meters. Using a particle counter to control the backwashing of filter could lead to significant cost saving and better water leaving the plant.