HACH Amtax™ inter2 Ammonia-N Online Analyzer
| Brand | HACH |
|---|---|
| Model | Amtax™ inter2 |
| Measurement Principle | Indophenol Blue Method (DIN 38406-E5) |
| Measurement Ranges | 0.02–2.00 mg/L NH₄–N, 0.1–20.0 mg/L NH₄–N, 1.0–80 mg/L NH₄–N |
| Accuracy | ±2% of reading |
| Cycle Time | 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes (user-selectable) |
| Calibration | Manual or automated (scheduled or event-triggered) |
| Maintenance Interval | Every 6 months |
| Reagent Consumption | Reagents A/B: 4–8 weeks |
| Zero & Span Standards | 12 months |
| Cleaning Solution | 6–12 months (dependent on cleaning frequency) |
| Analog Outputs | Two isolated 0/4–20 mA outputs (max. load 500 Ω) |
| Alarm Outputs | Two relay outputs (24 VDC, 1 A) |
| Digital Communication | MODBUS RTU (RS-485) or PROFIBUS DP |
| Operating Ambient Temperature | 5–40 °C |
| Power Supply | 230 VAC ±10%, 50 Hz |
| Power Consumption | ~310 VA (including integrated refrigerator) |
| Sample Pretreatment | Compatible with HACH FILTRAX® sampling and filtration system |
| Optical System | Dual-beam photometer with dual interference filters |
| Internal Refrigeration | Yes (for reagent stabilization at 4–8 °C) |
Overview
The HACH Amtax™ inter2 Ammonia-N Online Analyzer is an industrial-grade, fully automated photometric analyzer engineered for continuous, unattended monitoring of ammonium nitrogen (NH4–N) in drinking water, surface water, and treated effluent streams. It implements the standardized indophenol blue colorimetric method per DIN 38406-E5 — a reference-grade procedure widely accepted by national water authorities and regulatory laboratories across Europe and North America. In alkaline medium (pH ≈ 12.6), ammonium ions react stoichiometrically with hypochlorite and salicylate in the presence of a catalyst to form a stable blue-green indophenol dye. The absorbance of this chromophore at 660 nm is directly proportional to the NH4–N concentration. The instrument’s dual-beam optical architecture — employing two matched interference filters and synchronized photodetectors — actively compensates for path-length variations, turbidity-induced scattering, lamp aging, and power supply drift, ensuring long-term baseline stability and measurement reproducibility without manual intervention.
Key Features
- Dual-beam, dual-filter photometer with real-time reference channel correction — eliminates interference from suspended solids, colored organics, and electronic drift
- Three user-selectable measurement ranges (0.02–2.00, 0.1–20.0, and 1.0–80 mg/L NH4–N) optimized for low-level potable water compliance and higher-concentration wastewater applications
- Integrated refrigerated reagent compartment (4–8 °C) maintaining chemical integrity over extended periods, reducing calibration drift and reagent degradation
- Configurable cycle time (5–30 min) supporting high-frequency surveillance for critical intake points or slower monitoring for reservoirs and distribution networks
- Automated zero/span calibration and self-cleaning protocols — programmable via local interface or remote SCADA integration
- Modular design compatible with HACH FILTRAX® pre-filtration systems, enabling robust operation with raw or minimally treated samples containing particulates up to 100 µm
- Comprehensive onboard diagnostics including flow verification, reagent level monitoring, temperature logging, and optical path integrity checks
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Amtax™ inter2 is validated for use with clarified, filtered, or continuously filtered aqueous matrices meeting typical municipal and environmental lab acceptance criteria. When paired with FILTRAX® pretreatment, it accommodates samples with turbidity up to 100 NTU and total suspended solids ≤ 50 mg/L. All wetted components comply with FDA 21 CFR §177.2600 (food-contact plastics) and EU Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004. The analyzer supports GLP/GMP-aligned data integrity requirements through audit-trail-enabled calibration logs, timestamped event records, and non-volatile memory retention of ≥12 months of operational history. Its measurement methodology aligns with ISO 14911 (water quality — determination of ammonium — spectrophotometric method) and U.S. EPA Method 350.1, and is routinely cited in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory quality manuals for online reference verification.
Software & Data Management
Operation is managed via an intuitive, menu-driven LCD interface with multilingual support (English, German, French, Spanish). All configuration parameters — including range selection, cycle timing, alarm thresholds, and communication protocol settings — are stored in non-volatile memory. Digital outputs conform to MODBUS RTU (RS-485) and PROFIBUS DP v1 standards, enabling seamless integration into DCS, SCADA, or cloud-based IIoT platforms. Analog outputs (two isolated 4–20 mA channels) support redundant signal routing to PLCs or central control rooms. Internal data logging captures raw absorbance values, calculated concentrations, calibration events, maintenance alerts, and environmental conditions (ambient and reagent temperature). Export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format, compatible with LIMS and statistical process control (SPC) software such as Minitab or JMP.
Applications
- Real-time ammonia monitoring at drinking water treatment plant intakes and finished water discharge points
- Regulatory compliance tracking for surface water bodies under EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) Article 7 reporting
- Process optimization in biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems within municipal wastewater treatment plants
- Early warning detection of nitrification failure or upstream contamination events in distribution networks
- Supporting ISO 24510-based asset management programs for water utilities requiring traceable, auditable water quality data
- Integration into smart water grid initiatives where low-latency, high-fidelity NH4–N data informs dynamic dosing of chlorine or chloramine
FAQ
What sample pretreatment is required prior to analysis?
The Amtax™ inter2 requires continuous filtration using the HACH FILTRAX® system or equivalent — especially for raw surface water — to prevent clogging and optical fouling. Filtration pore size should be ≤ 80 µm.
Does the analyzer meet U.S. EPA or ISO certification requirements for compliance reporting?
While not individually certified under U.S. EPA’s CDX program, its indophenol blue method is identical to EPA Method 350.1, and it is routinely deployed in EPA-compliant facilities when operated per manufacturer-specified QA/QC protocols and verified against NIST-traceable standards.
Can the instrument operate unattended for extended periods?
Yes — with scheduled maintenance every six months and proper reagent replenishment, the Amtax™ inter2 delivers >95% uptime over 12-month deployment cycles in climate-controlled enclosures.
Is remote firmware update supported?
Firmware updates require physical USB access and must be performed by authorized service personnel to preserve calibration traceability and regulatory compliance.
How is measurement accuracy verified in-field?
Accuracy is confirmed using certified NH4–N standard solutions (e.g., NIST SRM 2000 series) during routine span checks, with deviation logged and reported automatically in the calibration history archive.
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