ONLINE MERCURY IN LIQUID STREAMS

10.226 Trace Mercury Determinations from Wastewater Streams

System Overview

Globally, heavy metal discharge regulations are getting tighter, and so also is the requirement for greater analytical sensitivity. Development for online, stand automated systems that allow for continuous monitoring is of great importance to keep up with these regulations.

The PSA 10.226 Online Mercury Analyser builds on our class leading ultra-sensitive atomic fluorescence technology. The system developed utilises syringe-based technology over the standard peristaltic pumps commonly used for sample analysis, reducing reagent consumption and allowing for on board sample preparation. This reduces the running cost of the instrument as well as the amount of waste the instrument produces.

Representative grab samples are taken from a stream using the PSA sampling system. The sample is then pulled into the analyser via a syringe for analysis. The analyser can remove interfering sample matrices and may be used for a wide variety of aqueous samples; for example, wastewater, drinking water and sea water. PSA commonly encounters applications for effluent streams, in which an industry will attempt to reduce mercury concentration in production streams. Mercury monitoring is needed for these streams to ensure the mercury concentration is at an acceptable limit.

More information about the sampling systems can be found here

Chemistry

A wide variety of chemistries (such as bromination and permanganate chemistries) can be used with the instrument. The analyser has a UV digestion module built into the chemistry section for the photolysis of organometallic mercury species present in the sample. The analyser can analyse up to 14 sample streams with two stream selection valves available.

The Gas/Liquid Separator designed by PS Analytical is optimised to reduce moisture build up and sports an antifoaming design. This allows for optimal performance without frequent maintenance.

PSA have worked with several sample matrices in the past; application notes can be requested from the link below.

Application Notes

Some system specifications for the 10.226 Online Mercury Analyser can be found below.

The analyser utilises its amalgamation atomic fluorescence spectroscopy to be able to achieve its sub-ppt (sub ng/L) detection limit. A gold material is used to pre-concentrate the mercury before it is desorbed by heating and carried to the atomic fluorescence spectrometer for detection.

An example of a low-level calibration (0-60 ppt) achieved on the analyser is shown.  A correlation coefficient of 0.9998 was achieved with 5 non-zero measurements. The calibration was achieved using one 50 ppt mercury standard. The standard was automatically diluted online to achieve the correct concentration for analysis.

Customisable Software

The system is supplied with the P S Analytical C210S007 Online software package as standard. This gives the administrator complete flexibility over system control. Parameters such as stream selection, analysis frequency, maintenance scheduling can all be controlled by the end user. The admin can limit the control of the instrument to other operators by introducing a multi-tier login system.

The software records all results and can generate reports which can be printed for easy record keeping or exported to excel for data analysis. The report includes visual data such as trend graphs to provide a quick summary of the collected data.

Remote Access

The online system has been designed with remote access in mind. The software can be configured to routinely send data, alarms and reminders via email. The system also can be remotely controlled over Ethernet /Internet enabling remote diagnostics to be carried out.

Alarm Systems and Outputs

The configured alarms allow for minimal operator intervention and saves time for all users. As standard the PSA 10.226 analyser comes with 4-20mA outputs and 4 relays (contact closures) for alarms.

Additional 4-20mA and contact closures and digital outputs can be easily added, as well as MODBUS RTU, RS 232, OPC Server and OPC Client.
Optional reagent level sensor probes are available from PS Analytical. The sensors can detect when the volume of reagents is low and automatically notify the user to replace or replenish the reagents.

More information about the Reagent Level Sensor Probes can be found here

Information Request

For more detailed information on the system, output options and software possibilities, please fill out an information request form here.

The PSA 10.226 Analyser has superseded the 10.225 Liquid Online Mercury Analyser. Click here for information on the 10.225 Analyser.