Water is an essential resource used in many industrial processes like cooling water, washing, and production purposes. Ensuring the water quality is paramount to avoid potential hazards such as system failures, contamination, health hazards for personnel and clientele, corrosion, among others. Industries can benefit significantly from sensor technology as part of monitoring water quality parameters. Sensor technology has become more advanced over the years, resulting in more efficient and reliable water quality sensors. In this article, we will explore the practical applications of sensors of water quality in various industrial settings.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is a significant industry that depends on maintaining ideal conditions for growth and sustainability of aqua-life. The water quality parameters have to be monitored and understood to ensure optimal fish health and survival rates. For example, low dissolved oxygen levels may lead to suffocation and subsequent death of fish. Regulations dictate that owners must also consider the environment outside the commercial area concerning issues such as nutrient loading to prevent harmful algal blooms. Sensors of water quality with capabilities such as warning alarms, temperature monitoring, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and conductivity checks help ensure stable conditions while preventing harm.
Food and Beverage Industry
The food and beverage industry uses water for cleaning, washing, cooking, and product formulations. Poor water quality can result in contamination, leading to food-borne illnesses. Proper monitoring of water sources using sensors of water quality ensures compliance with regulatory requirements while providing a safe source for commercial and industrial demands. Important factors such as pH, dissolved solids, minerals, hardness, organic matter, and turbidity are essential parameters that should get monitored continuously. The sensors of water quality deploy dual probes to prevent variations brought about by tap failure, ensuring a consistent source. Real-time data collection and parameter monitoring allow corrective action before problems occur.
Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry has strict regulations on the quality of water used in their manufacturing processes. Pharmaceutical-grade water is essential for drug formulations, cleanliness validation, and sanitize washes—any compromise during the manufacture of pharmaceuticals leading to unwanted side effects, rejection of batches or recalls can lead to huge financial and reputational damage. The sensors of water quality deployed screen out organic pollutants, impurities, pyrogens, pathogens, and endotoxins. Sensors of water quality also monitor parameters such as conductivity, temperature, pH, turbidity, and chlorides with real-time sensing capabilities that prevent oxygen ingress into the sensor area. The sensors should have high sensitivity and accuracy, suitable for measuring sub-ppb concentrations of impurities and other toxins for correct purification of the water.
Power Generation
The power industry depends on water to cool turbines, resulting in steam that drives generators in the process of electricity production. The quality of water influences power plant operation, efficiency, and profitability. Minerals such as silica buildup during cooling, which negatively impacts power output and leads to turbine failure due to scaling or fouling. Corrosion in piping systems can lead to leaks, leading to a reduction in system efficiency. Reliable sensors can detect changes in water quality parameters frequently providing real-time monitoring solutions. Critical parameters such as conductivity, pH, dissolved solids, and hardness are the most crucial testing requirement. Inline sensors measure water chemistry continuously, allowing plant operators to make optimal decisions for corrective action early enough.
Mining Industry
The mining industry relies on water for milling machines' lubrication purposes, ore concentration, and dust suppression. The mine's environmental impact critically influences the availability of water resources. Acidic discharges from mines alter natural aquatic ecosystems negatively. Cement plants require continuous chemical monitoring with high levels of reliability to ensure uninterrupted operations, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Water sensors are ideal to provide insight into the quantity and quality of water flow rates throughout the mine. Continuous monitoring allows immediate alerting that further helps in proper response time.
Conclusion
Sensors of water quality provide an essential tool for industries by ensuring that they have access to safe and reliable sources of water. In this article, we have explored some of the most prevalent and practical applications of sensor technology in various industries. Sensor technology offers significant benefits that can help companies optimize their production processes, prevent system failures, reduce co