carbo lyser - Spectrometer Probe

The so called plug & measure principle lies at the heart of s::can’s monitoring systems. Simple and quick installation and start-up, reliable results as soon as the instrument hits the water, that is what plug & measure is all about. This simplicity allows the users to work with s::can instruments without extensive training, because no complicated calibrations or maintenance activities are needed. At the heart of this plug & measure capability is our spectrometer probe, its hardware (no moving parts, no consumables, long term stability, …) as well as the s::can software. The Global Calibrations, however, are the real key to its performance.

The Global Calibration on a spectro::lyser™ contains all the settings and algorithms (such as for specific parameters) that enable the instrument to measure multiple parameters in a wide range of applications. Each Global Calibration is optimized for measurements in a particular environment and are available for applications ranging from drinking water, river water through wastewater treatment plant influent and effluent all the way to industrial wastewaters. Examples of the latter are brewery, dairy and paper mill wastewater.

Each Global Calibration is developed by s::can using a large dataset of measurements from a particular application type, and benefits from our extensive experience and know-how we gained from applying spectrometry in the most diverse applications. For example, a drinking water global calibration is developed using spectra and laboratory measurements from drinking waters from all around the world. Using advanced statistical methods, the spectral algorithms for the calculation of for example, turbidity and nitrate are then developed. The result; Global Calibrations for all common application types that allow one basic piece of equipment, the spectrometer probe, to be used in a multitude of widely different water types.

s::can Global Calibrations can be used in a plug and measure fashion because the spectrometer probes are true spectrophotometer instruments that measure the entire UV and visible absorption spectrum. Opposed to a single or dual wavelength instrument, that at best give a rough indication of how much nitrate or TOC is present, the full spectral capability of the spectrometer probe allows selective and accurate simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters with a single measuring device. The full spectrum is used to adapt the algorithms to the typical matrix in an application. Furthermore, this information is used for turbidity compensation and it is used to remove cross sensitivities for other parameters. All of this leads to much more precise and accurate measurement results when compared to competing technologies.

Thus, the Global Calibration is the tool that allows the spectrometer probe to make sense of your water; it interprets the spectrum, knowing what to expect in the application it is used in. As a result, it provides reliable results without the need to extensive calibrations. The Global Calibration is what enables us to pack such a big punch into our spectro::lyser™.