New sensor from ABB offers the simple answer for accurate turbidity and suspended solids measurement

The MCERTS-approved sensor comes pre-calibrated, making it ready to use as soon as it is taken out of the box.

ABB has launched the latest in its range of Aztec digital sensors for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment applications. Featuring ABB’s EZLink technology, the new ATS430 turbidity and TSS sensor provides ultra-stable and accurate measurement of turbidity and total suspended solids up to 4,000NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) or 100,000 mg/l. Unlike conventional turbidity and TSS sensors, the ATS430 requires no servicing throughout its operational life, enabling it to offer the lowest cost of ownership.

The ATS430 is suitable for use across a range of industries subject to regulatory effluent discharge consents, including municipal potable and wastewater treatment plants; pulp and paper; food and beverage; oil and gas; marine and mining.

A major benefit of the ATS430 is its simplicity. The MCERTS-approved sensor comes pre-calibrated, making it ready to use as soon as it is taken out of the box. Set-up is straightforward, with ABB’s EZLink technology enabling quick connection to an AWT440 digital universal transmitter, which automatically recognises and configures the sensor. With no need for wiring or complicated configuration, EZLink eliminates the time and cost associated with installation, including the requirement for a specialised engineer to get the ATS430 up and running.

The ATS430 also incorporates a number of features that help it to offer the lowest cost of ownership of any device on the market. Its fully-sealed design means there are no o-rings, seals or gaskets to replace, making it a truly service-free device. The sensor is also highly resistant to fouling, with a choice of polished stainless steel or corrosion-resistant titanium sensor bodies.

An added measure against high fouling environments is the inclusion of an optional automatic wiper on the sensor face, which helps to remove fouling from the scratch-resistant sapphire optical windows. If a wiper system is fitted, the ATS430 monitors usage and alerts the user when replacement is due. The wiper itself can be replaced in a matter of seconds, enabling the sensor to be put back into service quickly.

Downtime is further minimised by the provision of a sensor verification and calibration kit for the ATS430, which eliminates the need for the use of chemical standards that can be costly, hazardous and difficult to prepare. The kit comes with everything needed to calibrate and verify the sensor, including a range of different calibration discs that have been calibrated against primary turbidity standards at the factory. As the kit can be used across different ATS430 sensors and each calibration disk can be reused, it is extremely cost effective.

A key feature within the ATS430 is its innovative Adaptive TSS Calibration function, that provides a simpler, faster way of obtaining reliable TSS process calibrations and avoids sudden shifts caused by non-representative sampling or incorrect laboratory results.

The ATS430's compact 40mm diameter size makes it ideal for a range of installation options. Using the integral thread, the sensor can be easily mounted to a pole system for open tank and channel installations, chain mount system or directly into a pipe or flow cell. This flexibility is further enhanced by the sensor's wide measuring range, together with its robust design, which is able to withstand temperatures up to 60°C and pressures up to 10 bar. The option of a titanium sensor body also enables the ATS430 to be used in aggressive media and corrosive environments such as salt water.

Up to four ATS430 turbidity and TSS sensors can be connected to a single AWT440 universal transmitter, or can be mixed with other devices from the Aztec 400 range such as the ADS430 optical dissolved oxygen sensor. Available in two or four channel options and with a choice of communication protocols, the AWT440 enables monitoring at multiple points without the need for purchasing and installing separate transmitters.

ABB has extensive experience in the design, manufacture and lifelong support of continuous water analysers for measuring a range of parameters in water, wastewater and process applications. For more information about the ATS430, contact your local sales representative.

ABB's Measurement & Analytics business unit is among the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of instrumentation and analyzers. With thousands of experts around the world and high-performance technology, ABB's team is dedicated to making measurement easy for its customers.