ATAGO CM-BASEα-03S Online Refractometer for Salinity Measurement
| Brand | ATAGO |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | CM-BASEα-03S |
| Measuring Range (Salinity) | 0.0–28.0 % |
| Resolution (Salinity) | 0.1 % |
| Accuracy (Salinity) | ±0.5 % |
| Output | RS-232C / 4–20 mA |
| Power Supply | DC 24 V |
Overview
The ATAGO CM-BASEα-03S is a high-stability, industrial-grade online refractometer engineered for continuous, real-time measurement of salinity in aqueous salt solutions—specifically calibrated for sodium chloride (NaCl) systems. It operates on the principle of critical-angle refractometry: a collimated LED light beam passes through a sapphire prism in direct contact with the process stream; the angle at which total internal reflection occurs is precisely determined by the solution’s refractive index (nD), which correlates linearly with solute concentration under controlled temperature conditions. The instrument integrates a built-in Peltier temperature control unit to stabilize the prism surface at 25 °C ±0.2 °C, minimizing thermal drift and ensuring metrological traceability per ISO 21748 and ASTM D1218. Designed for permanent installation in pressurized or recirculating pipelines (with optional sanitary tri-clamp or NPT fittings), the CM-BASEα-03S delivers deterministic, non-invasive concentration data without sample extraction, chemical reagents, or moving parts—making it suitable for hygienic, hazardous, or high-purity process environments.
Key Features
- Optical sensing core with sapphire measuring prism (Vickers hardness ≥2000 HV) for abrasion resistance and long-term stability in aggressive media
- Dedicated salinity scale (0.0–28.0 % w/w NaCl), factory-calibrated against NIST-traceable standard solutions
- Integrated Peltier-based temperature regulation ensures measurement repeatability <±0.02 % RSD over 72-hour continuous operation
- IP67-rated stainless steel (SUS316L) housing with FDA-compliant wetted materials (EPDM gasket, sapphire, 316L SS)
- Dual analog/digital output: isolated 4–20 mA current loop (HART-compatible) + RS-232C serial interface for direct SCADA/DCS integration
- No-flow compensation algorithm maintains accuracy during transient flow conditions (0.1–3 m/s)
- Zero-point verification function enables in-situ validation without process interruption using deionized water reference
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CM-BASEα-03S is validated for use with clear to mildly turbid aqueous NaCl solutions, including brine, pickling baths, desalination pre-treatment streams, and electroplating rinse waters. It is not intended for emulsions, suspensions, or highly viscous fluids (>100 mPa·s). The device conforms to IEC 61000-6-2 (EMC immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (EMC emission) standards. Its construction meets ASME BPE-2022 requirements for biopharmaceutical fluid contact surfaces. When deployed in regulated environments (e.g., food-grade processing or pharmaceutical water systems), the instrument supports audit-ready documentation—including calibration certificates with uncertainty budgets (<0.35 % at 15 % NaCl)—and complies with 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with ATAGO’s optional data logging software featuring electronic signatures and change-control logs.
Software & Data Management
The CM-BASEα-03S communicates via ASCII protocol over RS-232C, enabling seamless integration into third-party MES, LIMS, or historian platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Rockwell FactoryTalk, Emerson DeltaV). ATAGO provides the free PC-based “Refractometer Manager” utility for configuration, real-time graphing, trend export (CSV/PDF), and alarm threshold setting (high/low limits with latching). All measurement data include embedded timestamps, temperature readings, and status flags (e.g., “prism clean”, “temperature stable”). For GxP environments, optional firmware upgrade enables full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance: role-based user access, immutable audit trail (≥180 days), and electronic signature capture for calibration events.
Applications
- Real-time control of salt concentration in automotive anti-corrosion coating pretreatment lines (e.g., Zn-phosphate bath replenishment)
- In-line monitoring of brine strength in meat curing and seafood processing to ensure consistent water activity (aw) and microbial safety per USDA-FSIS guidelines
- Concentration feedback loop for NaCl recovery in zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) systems within chemical manufacturing
- Quality gate verification of saline solutions used in medical device cleaning validation (ISO 15883)
- Process consistency assurance in battery electrolyte formulation (Li-ion precursor synthesis)
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable process pressure for the CM-BASEα-03S?
Standard configuration supports up to 1.0 MPa (145 psi); custom high-pressure variants rated to 3.5 MPa are available upon request.
Does the sensor require periodic recalibration in the field?
No scheduled recalibration is required if operated within specification and verified quarterly using DI water (0.0 %) and certified 15.0 % NaCl standard; full calibration is recommended annually or after mechanical impact.
Can the CM-BASEα-03S measure seawater salinity?
It is optimized for NaCl-dominated solutions; for natural seawater (which contains Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, SO₄²⁻), use the dedicated CM-BASEα-06S model (0–100 ‰, per PSS-78 standard).
Is cleaning necessary between product runs?
The sapphire prism resists fouling; automated CIP cycles with 2 % citric acid or 1 % NaOH are sufficient—no manual disassembly required.
How is temperature compensation handled?
A platinum RTD (Pt1000) embedded adjacent to the prism measures fluid temperature in real time; compensation uses the IAPSO TEOS-10 polynomial for NaCl solutions, not generic linear correction.
