Continuous sample flow device in process photometers for the measurement of turbidity or fluorescence without cell windows.
The contamination of flow cell windows is a frequently encountered problem wherever process photometry is used for continuous measurement. With time, the steady flow of sample liquid through the flow cell will often cause build-up on the windows that falsifies the readings. SIGRIST has developed a number of systems for eliminating the effects of window contamination under specific measurement conditions. Differential measurement; Turbidity compensation; Colour compensation
If the path length used for measurement is 10 mm or less, the free-fall flow cell is employed to eliminate all contact between the liquid and windows. The measurement light is passed through the sample as it drops by gravity through the detection zone.
Fig. 20: Free-fall flow cell
A precondition for the use of this flow cell is that the sample be fed to it at constant pressure. Excessively low pressure reduces the diameter of the liquid stream too much, and excessively high pressure causes contamination as a result of splashing at the supply pipe outlet. SIGRIST solves this problem by supplying a level control mounted just above the photometer; its steady overflow ensures constant hydrostatic pressure. An added bonus is the elimination of any air bubbles in the liquid. Fig. 21 shows a schematic representation of the level control provided by SIGRIST.
Fig. 21: Level control with overflow (1), supply (2) and photometer (3), guarantees a steady overflow at location 1 provided h2 > h1