ClearTrace 2020 Online Turbidimeter

Overview

The ClearTrace 2020 Online Turbidimeter is a precision-engineered, continuous-monitoring instrument designed for real-time turbidity measurement in potable water, wastewater effluent, and process water applications. It operates on the principle of nephelometric detection—measuring the intensity of light scattered at 90° by suspended particles in a flowing water sample—fully compliant with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 180.1. Engineered for low-turbidity environments (0–100 NTU), the system delivers high reproducibility and long-term stability, making it suitable for regulatory-grade compliance monitoring, filtration performance verification, and early-warning detection of particulate breakthrough in treatment trains. Its compact, modular architecture integrates seamlessly into existing SCADA or PLC-based water quality monitoring networks without requiring major infrastructure modifications.

Key Features

• Optimized sample cell design (135 mL volume) minimizes reagent consumption and enables efficient foam removal—critical for surface water and clarifier overflow streams where entrained air compromises measurement integrity.
• Tungsten white-light source with 2-year nominal service life ensures consistent spectral output and eliminates frequent lamp replacement downtime.
• High-resolution detection (0.001 NTU) supports sensitive monitoring of ultra-low turbidity events (<0.1 NTU), such as post-filtration verification or membrane integrity testing.
• Robust mechanical construction: anodized aluminum housing, quartz optical windows, and ABS polymer sample chamber provide corrosion resistance and thermal stability across wide ambient and process temperature ranges (–20 to 60 °C ambient; –5 to 50 °C water).
• Standard 4–20 mA analog output with optional relay modules enables direct integration with alarm systems, DCS platforms, or data loggers—no proprietary interface required.
• Onboard two-line LCD display with seven navigation keys allows local configuration, calibration verification, and real-time status review without external software.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ClearTrace 2020 is validated for use with clarified surface water, filtered drinking water, secondary effluent, and industrial process streams meeting standard hydraulic and particulate loading criteria. It is not intended for highly abrasive, viscous, or chemically aggressive media (e.g., raw sewage sludge or concentrated brines). All factory calibrations are traceable to NIST-traceable standards and performed under controlled ISO/IEC 17025-aligned procedures. The instrument meets EPA Method 180.1 requirements for field-deployable turbidimeters, including linearity verification, zero stability assessment, and repeatability validation. Regulatory compliance documentation—including CE marking per EN 61326 (EMC) and EN 61010-1 (safety)—is supplied with each unit. For GMP/GLP environments, audit-ready calibration logs (including date, operator ID, standard values used, and deviation records) can be exported via optional ComStick communication module.

Software & Data Management

While the ClearTrace 2020 operates autonomously via its embedded firmware, optional ComStick USB interface enables bidirectional communication with Windows-based configuration utilities. Users may perform remote calibration updates, adjust filtering parameters (turbidity and temperature damping: 0–100 s), configure alarm thresholds, and retrieve historical trend data stored in non-volatile memory. All calibration actions—including zero, span, and temperature compensation—are timestamped and logged with user-defined identifiers. When integrated into enterprise-level water quality data management systems (e.g., OSIsoft PI, Inductive Automation Ignition), the 4–20 mA signal supports full traceability under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with appropriate electronic signature and audit trail protocols.

Applications

• Drinking water treatment: Continuous monitoring of filter effluent turbidity to verify compliance with the U.S. Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) and Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR).
• Wastewater reuse facilities: Real-time verification of tertiary filtration performance prior to disinfection and distribution.
• Industrial cooling towers and boiler feedwater systems: Early detection of sediment ingress or resin bed failure.
• Environmental monitoring stations: Unattended, solar-powered deployment for river intake or reservoir outflow surveillance.
• Pharmaceutical water systems (PW/WFI pre-check): Qualification support for point-of-use turbidity screening prior to final sterilizing filtration.

FAQ

What calibration standards are required for routine operation?

The system requires NIST-traceable 0 NTU (deionized water) and 20 NTU formazin or equivalent stable suspension standards. Calibration kits (P/N 5-0114 and 5-0115) include both standards, foam brush, and cleaning bottle.

Is temperature compensation automatic?

Yes—built-in thermistor provides real-time temperature measurement (°C/°F selectable), and the firmware applies algorithmic compensation per ISO 7027 guidelines.

Can the instrument operate at low flow rates without compromising accuracy?

It is rated for minimum flow of 250 mL/min; below this, laminar flow disruption and air entrapment may affect scatter geometry—external flow regulators are recommended for variable-rate installations.

Does the device support digital communication protocols beyond 4–20 mA?

Modbus RTU over RS-485 is available via optional ComStick adapter; HART protocol is not supported.

What maintenance intervals are recommended?

Optical window cleaning every 7–14 days in high-fouling environments; full sample cell inspection and calibration verification every 90 days—or per site-specific QA/QC protocols.