HACH TC2300 Online Liquid Particle Counter

Overview

The HACH TC2300 Online Liquid Particle Counter is an industrial-grade, real-time monitoring instrument engineered for continuous measurement of suspended particulate matter in liquid process streams—primarily used in ultrapure water (UPW), pharmaceutical water systems (PW, WFI), power plant condensate, semiconductor rinse water, and municipal/industrial wastewater treatment applications. It operates on the principle of light obscuration (also known as light blockage or single-particle optical sensing), where particles passing through a precisely defined flow cell interrupt a collimated light beam; the magnitude of signal attenuation is directly correlated to particle cross-sectional area, enabling simultaneous sizing and counting across user-selectable channels. Unlike offline or portable counters, the TC2300 integrates seamlessly into 24/7 process control architectures via analog and digital I/O, supporting early detection of filter breakthrough, resin degradation, or upstream contamination events with sub-second response latency.

Key Features

• Real-time, continuous monitoring with configurable sampling intervals from 1 second to 60 minutes
• Eight independent, user-defined particle size channels (e.g., ≥2 µm, ≥5 µm, ≥10 µm, ≥25 µm, ≥50 µm)—each channel reports cumulative and differential count rates per milliliter
• Integrated high-precision volumetric flow control system ensuring consistent sample draw rate and minimizing pulsation-induced counting artifacts
• 7-inch full-color capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive navigation, multilingual support (English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese), and embedded diagnostics
• Robust stainless-steel wetted path (316L SS flow cell and inlet/outlet fittings) compatible with deionized water, low-conductivity solvents, and mild caustic or acidic cleaning agents
• IP65-rated enclosure suitable for installation in controlled environments, equipment rooms, or outdoor instrument shelters with optional sunshade and thermal management

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TC2300 is validated for use with liquids having conductivity < 5 µS/cm and viscosity < 2.5 cP at 25 °C—making it suitable for UPW (ASTM D5127), pharmaceutical water (USP , EP 2.2.42), and steam condensate. It complies with ISO 21501-4:2018 for calibration and performance verification of liquid-borne particle counters, and supports traceable calibration using NIST-traceable polystyrene latex (PSL) reference standards. Data integrity features include audit trail logging, user access levels (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator), and electronic signature capability aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when integrated with HACH’s Intellesis™ SCADA platform or third-party DCS/SCADA systems supporting OPC UA or Modbus TCP protocols.

Software & Data Management

The TC2300 embeds firmware version 3.2+ with local data storage (≥30 days of 1-minute interval records), configurable alarm thresholds per channel (high/low limits, rate-of-change alerts), and automatic event tagging (e.g., “Filter Change,” “Backwash Initiated”). Raw count data and metadata (flow rate, temperature, pressure, system status) are exportable via USB or Ethernet in CSV or XML format. Optional cloud connectivity enables remote health monitoring, predictive maintenance analytics, and integration with enterprise LIMS or MES platforms through RESTful API endpoints. All firmware updates are digitally signed and delivered via secure HTTPS channel.

Applications

• Monitoring final rinse water quality in semiconductor wafer fabrication cleanrooms (per SEMI F57)
• Verifying integrity of 0.1 µm and 0.2 µm membrane filters in biopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Trending particulate load upstream/downstream of ion exchange resins and mixed-bed polishers
• Early warning detection of corrosion product release in nuclear power plant secondary loops
• Compliance reporting for ISO 14644-1 Class 5–8 cleanroom water supply systems
• Validation support for water-for-injection (WFI) generation and distribution loops under EU GMP Annex 1

FAQ

What calibration standards are recommended for routine verification?
NIST-traceable 2.0 µm, 5.0 µm, and 10.0 µm PSL suspensions, certified per ISO 21501-4, with certificate of analysis including expanded uncertainty (k=2).
Can the TC2300 be installed in pressurized piping systems?
Yes—it supports inlet pressures up to 6 bar (g) and includes pressure-regulated bypass and backpressure control valves to maintain laminar flow conditions in the sensing zone.
Is the instrument compliant with pharmacopeial requirements for water system monitoring?
Yes—its counting accuracy, repeatability, and data handling architecture meet USP , EP 2.2.42, and JP 17 General Chapter “Particulate Matter in Injections” criteria for online monitoring components.
How does the TC2300 handle air bubbles or entrained gas in the sample stream?
It incorporates an integrated deaeration chamber and acoustic bubble detection algorithm that suppresses false counts during transient gas events without interrupting measurement continuity.
What maintenance intervals are required for optimal long-term performance?
Quarterly optical window inspection and cleaning with IPA-moistened lint-free wipes; annual recalibration and flow sensor verification recommended per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited service providers.