Hach DR900 Multi-Parameter Portable Colorimeter
| Brand | Hach |
|---|---|
| Origin | Imported |
| Manufacturer Type | Manufacturer |
| Model | DR900 |
| Price | Upon Request |
Overview
The Hach DR900 Multi-Parameter Portable Colorimeter is a rugged, field-deployable optical measurement instrument engineered for reliable quantitative analysis of water quality parameters via absorbance-based colorimetric chemistry. Operating on the principle of Beer–Lambert law, the DR900 measures light attenuation at specific wavelengths (typically 420 nm, 520 nm, 580 nm, 610 nm, and 650 nm, depending on reagent chemistry) after sample reaction with standardized Hach reagents. Its optical system employs a stable LED light source and precision photodiode detector to ensure high reproducibility across environmental, municipal, and industrial sampling campaigns. Designed for real-world operational demands, the DR900 integrates laboratory-grade accuracy with field-portable robustness—making it suitable for routine compliance monitoring, process control verification, and rapid screening where benchtop instrumentation is impractical.
Key Features
- IP67-rated enclosure for full dust ingress protection and immersion resistance up to 1 m for 30 minutes—validated for continuous use in rain, mud, or high-humidity environments.
- Pre-programmed method library containing 90 EPA- and ISO-compliant colorimetric test procedures—including COD, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, chlorine, iron, manganese, and total hardness.
- User-customizable memory supporting up to 10 additional methods, enabling adaptation to proprietary or site-specific chemistries.
- Dedicated Favorites menu for one-touch access to frequently used assays—reducing keystrokes and minimizing operator error during high-throughput field work.
- Integrated blank and standard calibration routines that compensate for inter-batch reagent variability and cuvette pathlength inconsistencies—critical for maintaining traceability across multi-lot reagent deployments.
- Backlit graphical LCD display with icon-driven navigation and optional Chinese language interface—optimized for readability under direct sunlight or low-light conditions (e.g., manholes, pump stations, or nighttime sampling).
- Ergonomic, over-molded housing with shock-absorbing bumper; validated to survive 1.5 m drop onto concrete per IEC 60068-2-32.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DR900 accepts standard 13 mm round glass or plastic cuvettes (10 mm pathlength), compatible with all Hach TNTplus, LCK, and DR series reagent vials. It supports both liquid-phase and powder-packet chemistries requiring manual or automated digestion steps (when paired with external digesters). All preloaded methods align with ASTM D1253 (residual chlorine), ISO 6060 (COD), ISO 7890-3 (ammonia), and US EPA Methods 365.3 (phosphate), 352.1 (nitrate), and 354.1 (chlorine). Data logging complies with GLP requirements: each stored result includes timestamp, operator ID (optional), method ID, calibration status, and cuvette ID (if encoded). Audit trail functionality satisfies internal QA/QC documentation needs for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories.
Software & Data Management
Measurement data—up to 500 records—are stored internally with full metadata (date/time, method name, reading units, calibration ID, and pass/fail flags). Export is performed via USB 2.0 interface to Hach’s LogSoft software (Windows-compatible), which enables batch download, CSV export, trend charting, and PDF report generation. LogSoft supports electronic signature capture and configurable user access levels—facilitating alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed in regulated water utilities or pharmaceutical manufacturing sites. No cloud dependency or subscription model is required; all data remain under full user control.
Applications
- Municipal wastewater treatment plants: effluent compliance monitoring (e.g., total phosphorus prior to discharge).
- Drinking water distribution systems: residual disinfectant tracking (free/chlorine, chloramine) at remote hydrants or storage tanks.
- Industrial cooling towers and boiler feedwater: real-time scaling indicator detection (e.g., silica, hardness ions).
- Environmental field surveys: surface water and groundwater screening across EPA Region-specific monitoring programs.
- Education and vocational training: hands-on instruction in analytical chemistry principles and regulatory testing protocols.
- Agricultural runoff assessment: nutrient load quantification (nitrates, orthophosphate) in irrigation return flows.
FAQ
Does the DR900 require annual factory recalibration?
No—its optical system is drift-compensated via built-in reference LEDs and stabilized power regulation. Field verification using NIST-traceable calibration standards (e.g., Hach CAL Check standards) is recommended before critical measurements.
Can the DR900 connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
No—wireless connectivity is intentionally omitted to maintain IP67 integrity and electromagnetic compatibility in electrically noisy industrial zones. Data transfer occurs exclusively via isolated USB interface.
Is method validation documentation available for regulatory submissions?
Yes—Hach provides Method Validation Summaries (MVS) for all preloaded assays, including precision, accuracy, LOD/LOQ, and interference studies per ISO 5725 and EPA Guidance for Data Quality Objectives.
What battery life can be expected during continuous field use?
With alkaline AA batteries, typical operation exceeds 2,000 measurements per set under ambient temperature (20–25°C); lithium AA batteries extend this to >4,000 measurements and improve low-temperature performance (<0°C).
