HACH Polymentron 8398SC Inductive Conductivity Sensor
| Brand | HACH |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | Polymentron 8398SC |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The HACH Polymentron 8398SC is a high-performance, two-electrode inductive conductivity sensor engineered for continuous, maintenance-free measurement of aqueous conductivity in demanding power generation, pharmaceutical, and municipal water treatment applications. Unlike contacting electrode-based sensors, the 8398SC employs toroidal (inductive) technology—comprising a transmitter coil and a receiver coil encapsulated within chemically resistant PPS (polyphenylsulfone) housing—to generate and detect eddy currents induced in the process fluid. This non-contact principle eliminates polarization effects, fouling-related drift, and electrode corrosion, ensuring long-term stability and high reproducibility across wide conductivity ranges (typically 0.01 µS/cm to 2 S/cm, depending on cell constant configuration). Designed specifically for integration into boiler feedwater, condensate, and ultrapure water (UPW) monitoring systems, the sensor meets the stringent accuracy, response time, and material compatibility requirements of ASME B31.1, EPRI guidelines, and IAPWS standards for power plant chemistry control.
Key Features
- Inductive (toroidal) measurement principle—no direct electrode contact with sample, eliminating polarization error and minimizing calibration frequency
- Chemically inert PPS sensor body with integrated temperature compensation (Pt1000 RTD) for accurate thermal correction per ASTM D1125 and ISO 7888
- IP68-rated housing suitable for submersion or inline pipe mounting (with optional flow-through adapter)
- Wide operating temperature range: −10 °C to +105 °C; pressure rating up to 10 bar (145 psi) at 25 °C
- Modular interface compatible with HACH SC1000, CL17, and GLI Series controllers via 4–20 mA analog output or HART® 7 protocol
- Factory-calibrated with NIST-traceable certificate; supports user verification using standard KCl solutions (e.g., 0.01 mol/L, 0.1 mol/L)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Polymentron 8398SC is validated for use in low-conductivity, high-purity water streams—including demineralized water, condensate, and UPW—as well as moderately aggressive industrial effluents and cooling tower make-up water. Its PPS construction resists oxidation, chlorination, and trace amine dosing common in cycle chemistry programs. The sensor complies with ISO 7888:2019 (Water quality — Determination of electrical conductivity), ASTM D1125-22 (Standard Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity of Water), and supports regulatory alignment with USP , EP , and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with HACH’s validated SC1000 data logging firmware (audit trail, electronic signatures, and secure user access controls).
Software & Data Management
When interfaced with HACH’s SC1000 Universal Controller or GLI 5000 Series transmitters, the 8398SC enables full digital configuration via HACH Link software (Windows-based). Configuration includes adjustable damping (0.1–30 s), linearization curves, unit selection (µS/cm, mS/cm, or resistivity Ω·cm), and alarm thresholds with relay outputs. All calibration events, diagnostic logs (e.g., coil integrity check, temperature deviation alerts), and measurement history are timestamped and exportable in CSV format. Firmware versions v3.2+ support GLP-compliant data archiving, including operator ID tagging and change tracking—essential for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and GMP-regulated utilities.
Applications
- Real-time monitoring of boiler feedwater purity in fossil and nuclear power plants
- Condensate polishing system leak detection and resin exhaustion trending
- Pharmaceutical water-for-injection (WFI) and purified water (PW) system validation
- Municipal drinking water treatment—source water characterization and disinfection by-product precursor assessment
- Industrial process water recycling loops where chloride ingress or scaling risk must be quantified
FAQ
What is the recommended calibration interval for the Polymentron 8398SC in ultrapure water service?
Calibration verification is advised quarterly under steady-state conditions; however, daily zero-checks using deionized water (≥18.2 MΩ·cm) are recommended for critical UPW applications.
Can the sensor be installed in vertical pipe runs without flow conditioning?
Yes—the 8398SC requires no minimum flow velocity for stable readings; it performs reliably at laminar flow (≥0.1 m/s) and is certified for static immersion per ANSI/ISA-5.1.
Is the sensor compatible with third-party PLCs or DCS systems?
Yes—via its isolated 4–20 mA output with HART® digital overlay; Modbus RTU integration is supported through optional HACH SC200 gateway modules.
Does the PPS housing resist exposure to sodium hypochlorite during CIP cycles?
PPS exhibits excellent resistance to ≤200 ppm NaOCl at ambient temperatures for intermittent exposure; prolonged contact above 40 °C requires evaluation per ASTM D543.
How is temperature compensation implemented?
Integrated Pt1000 RTD provides real-time fluid temperature measurement; compensation follows the nonlinear CaCl₂-based algorithm defined in IEC 60788, configurable via transmitter menu.
