Turbidity - a key parameter in water treatment processes

Puzzle-solving class: Turbidity - the "goalkeeper" that cannot be missed in the water treatment process

In the complex world of water treatment, faced with numerous dazzling water quality parameters, one indicator always occupies a core position. It is not only the "face" of water quality, but also the "bottom line" of safety - this is turbidity. Why does this seemingly simple "clarity" indicator make water treatment engineers so cautious? This article takes you deep into the process and reveals the critical role of turbidity.

In the complex world of water treatment, faced with numerous dazzling water quality parameters, one indicator always occupies a core position. It is not only the "face" of water quality, but also the "bottom line" of safety - this is turbidity. Why does this seemingly simple "clarity" indicator make water treatment engineers so cautious? This article takes you deep into the process and reveals the critical role of turbidity.

1. The first line of defense: turbidity is an “early warning signal” of microbial risks

This is the most important core value of turbidity and related to life safety.

Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites (such as Cryptosporidium) in water are tiny and difficult to detect directly and quickly. However, they have a common characteristic: they are not good at "acting alone", but tend to adhere to suspended particles in the water.

We can understand it this way:

• Suspended particulate matter is like a "launch vehicle" for pathogens.
• High turbidity means there are a lot of "launch vehicles" in the water.

In the disinfection process of water treatment (such as chlorination, ultraviolet disinfection), if the turbidity is high, these suspended particles will wrap and protect the internal pathogens, making it difficult for disinfectants to penetrate, or block ultraviolet rays from microorganisms, greatly reducing the disinfection effect, resulting in huge microbial safety risks in drinking water.

Therefore, real-time monitoring of the turbidity of filtered effluent and final effluent is the last and most important line of defense to ensure effective disinfection and biological safety of drinking water.

2. The "baton" of process optimization: precise control, cost reduction and efficiency improvement

Turbidity is a key process parameter that can be monitored in real time and continuously, making it an irreplaceable "baton" in water treatment process optimization.

• Guide coagulation dosing, from "extensive" to "precise" In the coagulation process, chemicals (such as PAC) need to be added to the raw water to destabilize the tiny particles and condense them into large alum flowers. By monitoring the turbidity changes of water after coagulation, operators can accurately determine the optimal dosage. Insufficient dosing will result in incomplete turbidity removal; excessive dosing will not only increase costs but may also cause new chemical pollution. Turbidity data enables dosing to achieve a leap from "based on experience" to "looking at data".
• In the coagulation process, chemicals (such as PAC) need to be added to the raw water to destabilize the tiny particles and agglomerate them into large alum flowers.
• By monitoring the turbidity changes of water after coagulation, operators can accurately determine the optimal dosage. Insufficient dosing will result in incomplete turbidity removal; excessive dosing will not only increase costs but may also cause new chemical pollution. Turbidity data enables dosing to achieve a leap from "based on experience" to "looking at data".
• Evaluate the effects of sedimentation and filtration to ensure subsequent processes. The operating effects of sedimentation tanks and filters are directly reflected by the turbidity difference between their inlet and outlet water. A well designed and functioning filter can reduce turbidity to very low levels (e.g. <0.1 NTU). An abnormal increase in turbidity of water after filtration is a clear signal of penetration of the filter material or the end of the filtration cycle, reminding staff that backwashing must be carried out in a timely manner to avoid worsening of the problem.
• The operating effects of sedimentation tanks and filters are directly reflected by the turbidity difference between their inlet and outlet water.
• A well designed and functioning filter can reduce turbidity to very low levels (e.g. <0.1 NTU). An abnormal increase in turbidity of water after filtration is a clear signal of penetration of the filter material or the end of the filtration cycle, reminding staff that backwashing must be carried out in a timely manner to avoid worsening of the problem.

3. The "outpost" of equipment protection: preventing scaling and clogging

In many industrial water treatment scenarios, high turbidity means the water contains large amounts of solid particles.

• These particles will deposit on the surface of the heat exchanger, membrane separation system and pipelines, forming fouling and significantly reducing the heat transfer efficiency or membrane flux.
• What's more serious is that it will lead to equipment blockage, increased energy consumption, and even unplanned downtime, causing huge economic losses.

Strictly monitoring and pre-treating the system's incoming water turbidity is like setting up a "sensitive outpost", which can effectively protect the expensive main process equipment at the back end and extend its service life.

4. “Hard indicators” for compliance: undisputed regulatory requirements

In the drinking water hygiene standards and water pollutant discharge standards of various countries around the world, turbidity is a mandatory indicator with clear limits. For example, my country's "Hygienic Standards for Drinking Water" (GB 5749-2022) requires that the turbidity of tap water should not exceed 1 NTU, and the internal control standards of large water plants are often stricter.

Therefore, continuous monitoring and recording of turbidity is not only a technical requirement, but also a rigid requirement for legal compliance and a responsibility that water plants must fulfill.

Conclusion: Why choose our online turbidity meter?

Because turbidity is so important, it is crucial to choose an online monitoring device that is reliable, accurate, and can be seamlessly integrated into your control system.

YuanGan Technology's online turbidity sensors and instruments are born for this mission:

• Accurate and reliable: Using standard optical principles such as the 90° scattered light method to ensure that every data is authentic and credible. Real-time and continuous: 7×24 hours of uninterrupted monitoring to capture every abnormal fluctuation, far exceeding the frequency of manual inspections. Intelligent integration: With the standard RS485 Modbus interface, you can easily connect real-time turbidity data to your PLC, DCS or cloud platform to achieve intelligent linkage control with the dosing system and backwash system, allowing your entire water treatment system to run in the optimal state.
• Accurate and reliable: Using standard optical principles such as the 90° scattered light method to ensure that every data is authentic and credible.
• Real-time and continuous: 7×24 hours of uninterrupted monitoring to capture every abnormal fluctuation, far exceeding the frequency of manual inspections.
• Intelligent integration: With the standard RS485 Modbus interface, you can easily connect real-time turbidity data to your PLC, DCS or cloud platform to achieve intelligent linkage control with the dosing system and backwash system, allowing your entire water treatment system to run in the optimal state.

Investing in an accurate online turbidity meter is a "safety insurance" and "efficiency insurance" for your water treatment process. Let us join hands to protect the clarity and safety of water.

—— YuanGan Technology, the water quality sensing expert around you