FL24 Tracer Fluorometer
| Origin | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported Instrument |
| Model | FL24 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The FL24 Tracer Fluorometer is a field-deployable, submersible optical sensing system engineered for quantitative hydrogeological tracer studies in boreholes, monitoring wells, springs, and surface water bodies. Operating on the principle of dual-wavelength excitation and synchronous multi-channel fluorescence detection, the instrument enables real-time, in-situ measurement of fluorescent tracer concentrations (e.g., fluorescein sodium, rhodamine WT, uranine), turbidity (NTU), and temperature—three critical parameters for solute transport modeling and groundwater flow path characterization. Its robust stainless-steel housing (IP68-rated) and 70-meter operational depth rating ensure reliable performance in confined, high-pressure, and chemically variable aquifer environments. The FL24 is not a laboratory fluorimeter but a purpose-built geophysical sensor designed for long-term, unattended deployment under GLP-aligned field monitoring protocols.
Key Features
- Four independent excitation–detection optical channels: enables concurrent quantification of turbidity plus up to three distinct fluorescent tracers without spectral interference or manual reconfiguration.
- High-sensitivity photodetection architecture: achieves a fluorescein sodium detection limit of 2 × 10−11 g/mL and 2 × 10−10 g/mL for alternative tracers—sufficient for low-dose, conservative tracer experiments compliant with ASTM D5092 and ISO 10303 standards.
- Integrated high-resolution thermistor: measures water temperature with ±0.01 °C accuracy over the full operational range (0–40 °C), supporting thermal correction of fluorescence quantum yield and enabling coupled thermal–tracer analysis.
- Modular power and data architecture: powered via external 6–12 V DC supply (lead-acid battery compatible); consumes only 1.5 mA in standby mode, supporting deployments of up to three months on a single 12 Ah battery.
- 24-bit analog-to-digital conversion and RS232/USB interface: ensures high-fidelity signal digitization and seamless integration with field data loggers or desktop acquisition software for time-series validation and QA/QC traceability.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FL24 is validated for use with common hydrological fluorescent tracers including sodium fluorescein (uramine), rhodamine B, rhodamine WT, and eosin Y. Its optical design minimizes inner-filter effects and scattering artifacts across the 0.2–1000 NTU turbidity range, making it suitable for both clear aquifers and moderately turbid karst conduits. The instrument conforms to IEC 60529 (IP68 ingress protection), EN 61000-6-2 (electromagnetic immunity), and supports audit-ready data collection under GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 frameworks when paired with timestamped, tamper-evident SD card logging. All firmware and calibration coefficients are stored internally and exportable for regulatory documentation.
Software & Data Management
The FL24 interfaces with the vendor-supplied Windows-based acquisition and calibration suite, which supports spectral library management, multi-point calibration curve generation (linear/logarithmic), and batch processing of time-stamped datasets. Raw data files (CSV/ASCII) include metadata headers specifying instrument ID, channel assignment, excitation wavelength, temperature-corrected intensity, and GPS-synced timestamps (when external GNSS module is connected). The integrated data logger provides full 2 GB storage capacity (≈240,000 records across four channels), with automatic rollover and CRC-32 checksum verification to ensure data integrity during extended unattended operation.
Applications
- Groundwater residence time estimation and inter-aquifer connectivity mapping via multi-tracer injection and breakthrough curve analysis.
- Wellfield vulnerability assessment using conservative fluorescent tracers under varying pumping regimes.
- Conduit flow velocity and dispersion coefficient determination in karst systems.
- Sanitary surveying of sewer infiltration/exfiltration pathways in urban aquifers.
- Calibration and validation of numerical solute transport models (e.g., MODFLOW-MT3DMS, PEST).
FAQ
What is the minimum well diameter required for FL24 deployment?
A minimum internal well diameter of 5 cm is required to accommodate the 48 mm probe body and allow free suspension without wall contact.
Can the FL24 operate continuously without surface connection?
Yes—the waterproof data logger enables fully autonomous operation; no real-time telemetry is required for standard deployments.
Is factory calibration traceable to NIST standards?
Yes—each unit ships with a certificate of calibration referencing NIST-traceable fluorescein and formazin standards, with documented uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025.
How is temperature drift compensated during long-term measurements?
The embedded thermistor continuously monitors thermal environment; fluorescence intensity values are automatically corrected using built-in quantum yield temperature coefficients for each supported dye.
Does the system support remote firmware updates or parameter reconfiguration?
Firmware updates and channel configuration changes require physical USB connection to the data logger; no over-the-air capability is implemented to preserve field reliability and data security.
