HORIBA F-72 Benchtop High-Precision pH and Ion Analyzer
| Brand | HORIBA |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | F-72 |
| Measurement Parameters | pH, ORP, Ion Concentration, Temperature |
| pH Range | 0.000–14.000 |
| pH Resolution | 0.001 pH |
| pH Repeatability | ±0.001 pH ±1 digit |
| ORP Range | ±1999.9 mV |
| ORP Resolution | 0.1 mV |
| ORP Repeatability | ±0.1 mV ±1 digit |
| Ion Range | 0.00 µg/L – 999 g/L (mol/L) |
| Ion Resolution | 3 significant digits |
| Ion Repeatability | ±0.5% F.S. ±1 digit |
| Temperature Range | −30.0 to 130.0 °C |
| Temperature Resolution | 0.1 °C |
| Temperature Repeatability | ±0.1 °C ±1 digit |
| Data Storage Capacity | 2000 sets |
| Language Support | English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese |
| Power Supply | AC adapter 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | ~9.8 VA |
| Net Weight | ~700 g |
| Compliance | JIS, USP <645>, EP 2.2.38, JP XVII, CP 0407 |
Overview
The HORIBA F-72 is a high-precision benchtop pH and ion analyzer engineered for rigorous laboratory water quality analysis. It employs potentiometric measurement principles—glass electrode methodology for pH and ORP, and selective ion electrode (ISE) technology for quantitative ion concentration determination—ensuring traceable accuracy and long-term stability in regulated environments. Designed for compliance-critical applications including pharmaceutical water system validation, environmental monitoring, and academic research, the F-72 delivers metrological-grade performance with intuitive operability. Its single-channel architecture focuses on core electrochemical parameters—pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), ion activity (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, F⁻, Cl⁻, NH₄⁺), and temperature—with full thermocompensation and automatic electrode diagnostics. The instrument meets fundamental requirements of ISO/IEC 17025–accredited laboratories and supports audit-ready workflows through embedded GLP/GMP features.
Key Features
- Capacitive touchscreen interface (7-inch diagonal) with gesture-responsive navigation—enables real-time parameter configuration, calibration guidance, and maintenance status visualization without physical buttons.
- Integrated calibration and diagnostic navigator compliant with JIS Z 8401, USP , European Pharmacopoeia 2.2.38, and Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVII standards—provides step-by-step prompts for electrode conditioning, slope verification, and offset validation.
- Smart troubleshooting engine: dynamically displays contextual remediation steps during calibration failure or unstable readings (e.g., “Check junction clogging”, “Verify reference electrolyte level”, “Confirm temperature sensor contact”).
- Ergonomic glass electrode mount with quick-release mechanism—facilitates rapid electrode exchange, cleaning, and storage while minimizing mechanical stress on sensing membranes.
- GLP/GMP-compliant data management: time-stamped measurements include operator ID, electrode serial number, calibration history, ambient temperature, and measurement uncertainty flags—all exportable via USB to CSV or Excel-compatible formats.
- Multi-language firmware (English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese) with identical functional depth—eliminates localization barriers in multinational R&D or contract manufacturing settings.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The F-72 is validated for aqueous matrices across diverse regulatory domains: purified water (PW), water for injection (WFI), clean-in-place (CIP) rinse solutions, surface water, wastewater effluents, and industrial process streams. Its ion measurement capability supports quantification of monovalent and multivalent species using standardized ISEs traceable to NIST SRMs. Regulatory alignment includes full support for pharmacopeial conductivity–pH correlation protocols (e.g., USP Stage 1–3 testing), JIS K 0102 environmental sampling guidelines, and ISO 5667-3 for field-deployable lab equivalence. All measurement algorithms incorporate temperature compensation per Nernst equation derivations and adhere to IUPAC-recommended standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) referencing conventions. Instrument firmware is qualified under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when paired with validated PC software.
Software & Data Management
Data acquisition and reporting are managed through HORIBA’s proprietary PC application (compatible with Windows 10/11), which enables automated report generation per ASTM D1293 (pH of water) or ISO 7888 (electrical conductivity). Each stored record (up to 2000 entries) contains: timestamp (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS), measured value with unit, electrode ID, calibration date, temperature at measurement, user-defined sample ID, and pass/fail status against configurable acceptance criteria. Audit trails log all configuration changes—including range modifications, unit switches, and language selection—with immutable timestamps and operator attribution. USB mass storage mode allows direct file transfer to network drives or LIMS without proprietary drivers. Optional thermal printer integration supports immediate hardcopy output with GLP header (instrument ID, calibration due date, analyst signature field).
Applications
- Pharmaceutical water system qualification: continuous pH and ion monitoring during PW/WFI generation, distribution loop validation, and point-of-use verification per EU GMP Annex 1 and WHO TRS 970.
- Environmental compliance testing: EPA Method 150.1 (pH), ASTM D3693 (ion-selective electrode analysis), and ISO 10523 (water quality — determination of pH) execution in certified labs.
- Academic and industrial research: kinetic studies of acid–base equilibria, ion exchange resin efficiency evaluation, and corrosion inhibitor efficacy screening in cooling water systems.
- Food & beverage QC: titratable acidity estimation, brine salinity control, and preservative (e.g., nitrite, sulfite) quantification in finished products.
- Electroplating bath management: real-time monitoring of metal ion concentrations (e.g., Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺) and bath acidity to maintain deposition uniformity and reduce reject rates.
FAQ
Does the F-72 support automatic temperature compensation (ATC) for all measured parameters?
Yes. Integrated Pt1000 RTD sensor provides continuous ATC for pH, ORP, and ion measurements per Nernst equation; temperature coefficient settings are configurable per ISE type.
Can the F-72 be used with non-HORIBA electrodes?
It accepts any BNC-terminated pH, ORP, or ISE electrodes meeting DIN 19262 / IEC 60746-2 electrical specifications, though HORIBA-certified electrodes guarantee full diagnostic functionality and calibration traceability.
Is firmware upgrade supported in-field?
Yes. Updates are distributed as signed .bin files via HORIBA’s secure customer portal and installed via USB drive—no service engineer required.
What is the recommended calibration frequency for GLP compliance?
Daily calibration is advised for routine QC; however, the built-in “Periodic Check Mode” automates interval-based verification per JIS Z 8401 Class 1 (±0.01 pH) or USP daily system suitability checks.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
Non-volatile flash memory retains all stored data and calibration constants even during unexpected AC loss; no battery backup is required for data preservation.
