ORP Versus Amperometry
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- ORP Versus Amperometry
Total Residual Oxidant Measurement: ORP or Amperometry
There are two available methods for Total Residual Oxidant (TRO) measurement: Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) and amperometry. Until now, there have been no amperometric sensors that have been practical in a ballast water application. This paper will examine the relative benefits and limitations of both methods.
La medición del redox es el método menos costoso disponible para el control del agua. Se utiliza principalmente en la industria de las piscinas, así como en algunas aplicaciones especializadas, como la destrucción del cianuro (industrias de revestimiento y mineras). Se utiliza con frecuencia como indicador cualitativo. En las piscinas comerciales, cuando se utiliza para controlar el equipo de alimentación de cloro, la mayoría de los operadores suelen medir el nivel de cloro manualmente, a menudo a diario. La presencia de altos niveles de moléculas orgánicas puede ensuciar el sensor en cuestión de días, requiriendo su limpieza.
ORP stands for oxidation-reduction potential, which is a measure, in millivolts, of the tendency of a chemical substance to oxidize or reduce another chemical substance. Oxidation is the loss of electrons by an atom, molecule, or ion. The electrons lost by the atom in the reaction cannot exist in solution and have to be accepted by another substance in solution. So the complete reaction involving the oxidation will have to include another substance, which will be reduced Figure 1.
THE MEASUREMENT OF ORP
An ORP sensor consists of an ORP electrode and a reference electrode, as a Voltmeter measures the difference in potential (voltage). The principle behind the ORP measurement is the use of an inert metal electrode (platinum, sometimes gold), which, due to its low resistance, will give up electrons to an oxidant (chlorine in this case) or accept electrons from a reductant (sulfur dioxide in a dechlorination process) . The ORP electrode will continue to accept or give up electrons until it develops a potential, due to the build up charge, which is equal to the ORP of the solution. The typical accuracy of an ORP measurement is ±5 mV. This further complicated by the fact that different probes from the same manufacturer often will have a 20 to 50 mV difference in the same water sample.
An ORP sensor consists of an ORP electrode and a reference electrode, as a Voltmeter measures the difference in potential (voltage). The principle behind the ORP measurement is the use of an inert metal electrode (platinum, sometimes gold), which, due to its low resistance, will give up electrons to an oxidant (chlorine in this case) or accept electrons from a reductant (sulfur dioxide in a dechlorination process) . The ORP electrode will continue to accept or give up electrons until it develops a potential, due to the build up charge, which is equal to the ORP of the solution. The typical accuracy of an ORP measurement is ±5 mV. This further complicated by the fact that different probes from the same manufacturer often will have a 20 to 50 mV difference in the same water sample.
Note: manufactures test their sensors in Zobell Solution which contains a high level of redox couples. In this solution sensors will read very close to each other. That is not the case with real world samples in drinking water.
ORP Electrodes are Easily Poisoned
Figure 2 below illustrates the results on an experiment in 300 gallon spa using bromine as the sanitizer. An ORP Sensor was installed as a monitor (not controlling). A bromine generator with an amperometric sensor was also installed to control the sanitizer level. Synthetic perspiration was then added to the spa. The red line is the bromine level that the amperometric system measured throughout the test. The peaks in the blue line represent the time that the bromine generator was energized to satisfy demand. The synthetic perspiration (White, 1992)created a significant demand that persisted throughout the test, requiring the bromine generator to operate for about two hours at a time. After about 12 hours the ORP sensor, represented by the green line, registered negative values. The most likely cause was poisoning of the electrode. It did not recover from the condition for 29 hours. This would have caused a massive over chlorination or over bromination of the spa, had it been controlling the sanitizer.
In this test, synthetic perspiration was added to a hot tub with an electrolytic bromine generation unit. As can be seen above, the green line (ORP) dropped to a negative value before returning to normal after over 29 hours. (Silveri, 1999)
Baseline (zero chlorine) Level Varies with Different Water
As can be seen from the graph in Figure 3, five different water samples have a different ORP baseline that results in a higher ORP for the same chlorine level. The results vary by almost 200 mV. According to WHO, “there is a wide variation between 720 mV in different waters (1 ppm to 15 ppm chlorine) due to varying baseline ORP (zero chlorine)” (World Health Organization, 2006)
With amperometric sensors, zero current is always zero chlorine, so no zero calibration is needed. It should be noted that this comparison was in tap water. Baseline ORP of seawater ORP can range from -275 to 350 mV greatly exacerbating the baseline problem. (Cohrs, 2004)
The lower oxidation potential of bromine compared to chlorine means that ORP will not be as sensitive to the concentration as it will with chlorine. This also means that the potential from an ORP sensor will be closer to the baseline level (zero bromine level).
MEDICIÓN DE LA CONCENTRACIÓN CON ORP
A continuación se enumeran las limitaciones del uso del ORP para la medición de la concentración de cloro:
Según la ecuación de Nernst que rige la relación del ORP con la medición del potencial, el coeficiente que multiplica este logaritmo de la concentración es igual a -59,16 mV, dividido por el número de electrones en la semirreacción (n). En este caso, n = 2; por lo tanto, el coeficiente es -29,58. Un cambio de 10 veces en la concentración de Cl-, HOCl, H+ sólo cambiará el ORP ±29,58 mV. (Emerson Process Liquid Division, 2008)
El ORP depende del ion cloruro (Cl-) y del pH (H+) tanto como del ácido hipocloroso (cloro en el agua). Cualquier cambio en la concentración de cloruro o en el pH afectará al ORP. Por lo tanto, para medir el cloro con precisión, el ion cloruro y el pH deben medirse con gran exactitud o controlarse cuidadosamente hasta alcanzar valores constantes.
Para calcular la concentración de hipoclorito a partir de los milivoltios medidos, los milivoltios medidos aparecerán como el exponente de 10. La precisión típica de una medición de ORP es de ±5 mV. Este error por sí solo hará que la concentración de ácido hipocloroso calculada se desvíe en más de ±30%. Cualquier deriva en el electrodo de referencia o en el analizador de ORP sólo aumentará este error.
Cualquier cambio en el ORP con la temperatura no se compensa, aumentando aún más el error en la concentración derivada.
Prácticamente todas las semirreacciones de redox implican a más de una sustancia, y la gran mayoría dependen del pH. La dependencia logarítmica del ORP con respecto a la concentración multiplica cualquier error en los milivoltios medidos.
Los electrodos de ORP se envenenan fácilmente y quedan inutilizados durante horas, a menos que se retiren y se limpien.
El uso de ORP en la electrocloración del agua de mar sólo aumenta la mayoría de los problemas inherentes.
Zero calibration with ORP is difficult since different waters or contaminants with change the baseline. In seawater the baseline can range from -275 to 350 mV.
A logical conclusion from the foregoing is that ORP is not a good technique to apply to concentration measurements.
MEDICIÓN DE LA CONCENTRACIÓN CON ORP
A continuación se enumeran las limitaciones del uso del ORP para la medición de la concentración de cloro:
Según la ecuación de Nernst que rige la relación del ORP con la medición del potencial, el coeficiente que multiplica este logaritmo de la concentración es igual a -59,16 mV, dividido por el número de electrones en la semirreacción (n). En este caso, n = 2; por lo tanto, el coeficiente es -29,58. Un cambio de 10 veces en la concentración de Cl-, HOCl, H+ sólo cambiará el ORP ±29,58 mV. (Emerson Process Liquid Division, 2008)
El ORP depende del ion cloruro (Cl-) y del pH (H+) tanto como del ácido hipocloroso (cloro en el agua). Cualquier cambio en la concentración de cloruro o en el pH afectará al ORP. Por lo tanto, para medir el cloro con precisión, el ion cloruro y el pH deben medirse con gran exactitud o controlarse cuidadosamente hasta alcanzar valores constantes.
Para calcular la concentración de hipoclorito a partir de los milivoltios medidos, los milivoltios medidos aparecerán como el exponente de 10. La precisión típica de una medición de ORP es de ±5 mV. Este error por sí solo hará que la concentración de ácido hipocloroso calculada se desvíe en más de ±30%. Cualquier deriva en el electrodo de referencia o en el analizador de ORP sólo aumentará este error.
Cualquier cambio en el ORP con la temperatura no se compensa, aumentando aún más el error en la concentración derivada.
Prácticamente todas las semirreacciones de redox implican a más de una sustancia, y la gran mayoría dependen del pH. La dependencia logarítmica del ORP con respecto a la concentración multiplica cualquier error en los milivoltios medidos.
Los electrodos de ORP se envenenan fácilmente y quedan inutilizados durante horas, a menos que se retiren y se limpien.
El uso de ORP en la electrocloración del agua de mar sólo aumenta la mayoría de los problemas inherentes.
Zero calibration with ORP is difficult since different waters or contaminants with change the baseline. In seawater the baseline can range from -275 to 350 mV.
A logical conclusion from the foregoing is that ORP is not a good technique to apply to concentration measurements.
Amperometría
In an amperometric sensor, a fixed voltage is applied between two electrodes and a reaction takes place at the working electrode (cathode) in which chlorine is reduced from chlorine (HOCl) back to chloride (Cl-) Figure 4. This is reverse of what takes place in the chlorine generator where chlorine is generated at the anode. In an amperometric sensor the current that flows as a result of this reduction is proportional to the chlorine presented to the sensor. The figure above shows the “three electrode” configuration. Most membrane chlorine sensors use the “two electrode” method. In general, the two electrode method readings are not as stable and electrodes will not last as long as the three electrode method.
When chlorine is added to water it hydrolyzes to form:
Cl2 + H2O → HOCl + H+ + Cl-
HOCl (aq)OCl- (aq) + H+(aq)
It is usually hypochlorous acid (HOCl) that is measured by the amperometric membrane sensor
RELACIÓN LOGARÍTMICA VS. RELACIÓN LINEAL DE LA SEÑAL
As may be seen from Figure 5, in amperometric systems, the relationship to chlorine (or bromine) is linear vs. the logarithmic relationship for ORP. Any attempt to control bromine at 2 to 4 ppm will not result in very tight control since there is very poor resolution in that range when bromine is the oxidant.
Problems with use of orp in swimming pools
Cyanuric acid is widely used in virtually all outdoor swimming pools to prevent loss of chlorine due to ultraviolet light (sunlight). The most common form of stabilized chlorine is contains over 50% cyanuric acid by weight. As a result, in one season, cyanuric acid levels can increase rapidly, often exceeding 200 ppm. Levels above 300 ppm are often encountered in Arizona, California and Nevada. At levels of around 350 ppm, the ORP electrode is rapidly poisoned and must be cleaned every three days or so. There is no practical way to remove cyanuric acid other than draining some or all of the water. ORP systems cannot be used with high levels of cyanuric acid (over 40 ppm) while Amperometric systems can be used with Cyanuric Acid levels over 200. According to one ORP controller manufacturer swimming pools should not be run with more than 40 ppm of cyanuric acid even though most health departments allow up to 100 ppm and some even allow up to 200 ppm of cyanuric acid. This results in higher costs due to draining a portion of the water. The reason for this recommendation is, according to the company, that ORP increases when the sun goes down as the cyanuric acid. This allows the chlorine level to drop since the controller thinks there is more chlorine than there really is. The next morning when the sun rises the controller detects dangerously low levels of chlorine enters an alarm mode (when a condition of < 200 mV is detected) and shuts down the feed system, detecting a problem that requires intervention. As a result, commercial pools have to spend more money on water, in short supply in many areas, and suffer from needless control problems. HSI’s sensor is the only amperometric sensor that can be used in this application with high levels of cyanuric acid.
problems with orp in wastewater
A report comparing ORP to Amperometric sensors had the following comments regard ORP’s use in wastewater treatment plants:
“Ability to Provide Information to Meet Effluent Coliform Requirements” criterion, a score of two [out of 5] was determined. This score is lower than those given to the residual technologies for this same criterion because of questions raised in Chapter 9.0 that indicate ORP is not always correlated to microbial kill or may not operate successfully in all wastewater applications. Initial evidence suggests that: 1) some chemicals other than chlorine can elevate ORP levels but not produce effective microbial kill, 2) other chemicals can interfere with ORP function, and 3) that ORP may not be an effective solution for all wastewater applications based on the issues raised by points 1) and 2).
The authors point out, however, that some wastewater treatment plants have successfully used ORP and it does play a role in providing qualitative assessments of water quality.
“The ORP technology was given a criteria score of 2 for the criteria “Ability to Provide Process Control System Reliability”. As discussed in Chapter 7.0, there are concerns on how to check if ORP sensors are out of calibration. The inability to effectively predict or determine when an ORP analyzer goes out of calibration can impact process control stability.“
“Based on results from this work it was found that lab ORP probes couldn’t be used effectively to check field ORP calibrations because the lab units are easily fouled or poisoned by wastewater components (See Chapter 7.0).”
“Another concern is that ORP sensors from different manufacturers respond differently to variations in chlorine speciation.” (Damon S. Williams Associates, LLC, 2004)
In summary
In amperometric systems, the relationship to chlorine (or bromine) is linear vs. logarithmic for ORP. ORP will not be precise, require greater training, monitoring and could result in excessive corrosion of components or tanks, often defeating the purpose or its use in the first place.
Los sistemas amperométricos miden realmente el bromo (TRO) y no otro parámetro (redox), por lo que serán más precisos.
El cloro cero es siempre cero, por lo que no es necesario calibrar el cero con los sistemas amperométricos.
Los electrodos de los sistemas amperométricos no se envenenan fácilmente con sustancias orgánicas como los electrodos de ORP.
ORP is both a good qualitative indicator and a poor quantitative method.
Conclusiones sobre la PRL
The disadvantages of ORP all relate to routine equipment maintenance, calibration, electrode poisoning, presence of multiple redox couples, and very small exchange current that are logarithmically related to the analyte concentration. Or in other words, the assumption of a reversible chemical equilibrium, fast electrode kinetics, and the lack of interfering reactions are essential for chemical interpretations of the ORP potentials. Unfortunately, these conditions rarely, if ever, are met in real world systems (Kissinger, 1996). ORP can be used for qualitative analysis.
Halogen systems’ rapid response ORP
Halogen Systems included ORP measurement in its multi parameter sensor as an indicator for contamination. While the sensor’s chlorine measurement can detect chlorine from .05 to 15 ppm, it cannot detect the difference between contamination and water in which the chlorine residual was recently depleted. ORP can potentially fill in this gap by identifying a contamination event or cross connection by indicating a drop below the baseline ORP level. In addition, HSI’s measurement technique and self-cleaning system actually eliminates poisoning issues, providing a more reliable reading. While HSI’s ORP measurement may have a slight offset from other sensors but provides a reliable, qualitative measurement that overcomes many of the ORP problems.
References
Total Residual Oxidant Measurement: ORP or Amperometry
There are two available methods for Total Residual Oxidant (TRO) measurement: Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) and amperometry. Until now, there have been no amperometric sensors that have been practical in a ballast water application. This paper will examine the relative benefits and limitations of both methods.
La medición del redox es el método menos costoso disponible para el control del agua. Se utiliza principalmente en la industria de las piscinas, así como en algunas aplicaciones especializadas, como la destrucción del cianuro (industrias de revestimiento y mineras). Se utiliza con frecuencia como indicador cualitativo. En las piscinas comerciales, cuando se utiliza para controlar el equipo de alimentación de cloro, la mayoría de los operadores suelen medir el nivel de cloro manualmente, a menudo a diario. La presencia de altos niveles de moléculas orgánicas puede ensuciar el sensor en cuestión de días, requiriendo su limpieza.
ORP stands for oxidation-reduction potential, which is a measure, in millivolts, of the tendency of a chemical substance to oxidize or reduce another chemical substance. Oxidation is the loss of electrons by an atom, molecule, or ion. The electrons lost by the atom in the reaction cannot exist in solution and have to be accepted by another substance in solution. So the complete reaction involving the oxidation will have to include another substance, which will be reduced Figure 1.
THE MEASUREMENT OF ORP
An ORP sensor consists of an ORP electrode and a reference electrode, as a Voltmeter measures the difference in potential (voltage). The principle behind the ORP measurement is the use of an inert metal electrode (platinum, sometimes gold), which, due to its low resistance, will give up electrons to an oxidant (chlorine in this case) or accept electrons from a reductant (sulfur dioxide in a dechlorination process) . The ORP electrode will continue to accept or give up electrons until it develops a potential, due to the build up charge, which is equal to the ORP of the solution. The typical accuracy of an ORP measurement is ±5 mV. This further complicated by the fact that different probes from the same manufacturer often will have a 20 to 50 mV difference in the same water sample.
An ORP sensor consists of an ORP electrode and a reference electrode, as a Voltmeter measures the difference in potential (voltage). The principle behind the ORP measurement is the use of an inert metal electrode (platinum, sometimes gold), which, due to its low resistance, will give up electrons to an oxidant (chlorine in this case) or accept electrons from a reductant (sulfur dioxide in a dechlorination process) . The ORP electrode will continue to accept or give up electrons until it develops a potential, due to the build up charge, which is equal to the ORP of the solution. The typical accuracy of an ORP measurement is ±5 mV. This further complicated by the fact that different probes from the same manufacturer often will have a 20 to 50 mV difference in the same water sample.
Note: manufactures test their sensors in Zobell Solution which contains a high level of redox couples. In this solution sensors will read very close to each other. That is not the case with real world samples in drinking water.
ORP Electrodes are Easily Poisoned
Figure 2 below illustrates the results on an experiment in 300 gallon spa using bromine as the sanitizer. An ORP Sensor was installed as a monitor (not controlling). A bromine generator with an amperometric sensor was also installed to control the sanitizer level. Synthetic perspiration was then added to the spa. The red line is the bromine level that the amperometric system measured throughout the test. The peaks in the blue line represent the time that the bromine generator was energized to satisfy demand. The synthetic perspiration (White, 1992)created a significant demand that persisted throughout the test, requiring the bromine generator to operate for about two hours at a time. After about 12 hours the ORP sensor, represented by the green line, registered negative values. The most likely cause was poisoning of the electrode. It did not recover from the condition for 29 hours. This would have caused a massive over chlorination or over bromination of the spa, had it been controlling the sanitizer.
In this test, synthetic perspiration was added to a hot tub with an electrolytic bromine generation unit. As can be seen above, the green line (ORP) dropped to a negative value before returning to normal after over 29 hours. (Silveri, 1999)
Baseline (zero chlorine) Level Varies with Different Water
As can be seen from the graph in Figure 3, five different water samples have a different ORP baseline that results in a higher ORP for the same chlorine level. The results vary by almost 200 mV. According to WHO, “there is a wide variation between 720 mV in different waters (1 ppm to 15 ppm chlorine) due to varying baseline ORP (zero chlorine)” (World Health Organization, 2006)
With amperometric sensors, zero current is always zero chlorine, so no zero calibration is needed. It should be noted that this comparison was in tap water. Baseline ORP of seawater ORP can range from -275 to 350 mV greatly exacerbating the baseline problem. (Cohrs, 2004)
The lower oxidation potential of bromine compared to chlorine means that ORP will not be as sensitive to the concentration as it will with chlorine. This also means that the potential from an ORP sensor will be closer to the baseline level (zero bromine level).
MEDICIÓN DE LA CONCENTRACIÓN CON ORP
A continuación se enumeran las limitaciones del uso del ORP para la medición de la concentración de cloro:
Según la ecuación de Nernst que rige la relación del ORP con la medición del potencial, el coeficiente que multiplica este logaritmo de la concentración es igual a -59,16 mV, dividido por el número de electrones en la semirreacción (n). En este caso, n = 2; por lo tanto, el coeficiente es -29,58. Un cambio de 10 veces en la concentración de Cl-, HOCl, H+ sólo cambiará el ORP ±29,58 mV. (Emerson Process Liquid Division, 2008)
El ORP depende del ion cloruro (Cl-) y del pH (H+) tanto como del ácido hipocloroso (cloro en el agua). Cualquier cambio en la concentración de cloruro o en el pH afectará al ORP. Por lo tanto, para medir el cloro con precisión, el ion cloruro y el pH deben medirse con gran exactitud o controlarse cuidadosamente hasta alcanzar valores constantes.
Para calcular la concentración de hipoclorito a partir de los milivoltios medidos, los milivoltios medidos aparecerán como el exponente de 10. La precisión típica de una medición de ORP es de ±5 mV. Este error por sí solo hará que la concentración de ácido hipocloroso calculada se desvíe en más de ±30%. Cualquier deriva en el electrodo de referencia o en el analizador de ORP sólo aumentará este error.
Cualquier cambio en el ORP con la temperatura no se compensa, aumentando aún más el error en la concentración derivada.
Prácticamente todas las semirreacciones de redox implican a más de una sustancia, y la gran mayoría dependen del pH. La dependencia logarítmica del ORP con respecto a la concentración multiplica cualquier error en los milivoltios medidos.
Los electrodos de ORP se envenenan fácilmente y quedan inutilizados durante horas, a menos que se retiren y se limpien.
El uso de ORP en la electrocloración del agua de mar sólo aumenta la mayoría de los problemas inherentes.
Zero calibration with ORP is difficult since different waters or contaminants with change the baseline. In seawater the baseline can range from -275 to 350 mV.
A logical conclusion from the foregoing is that ORP is not a good technique to apply to concentration measurements.
MEDICIÓN DE LA CONCENTRACIÓN CON ORP
A continuación se enumeran las limitaciones del uso del ORP para la medición de la concentración de cloro:
Según la ecuación de Nernst que rige la relación del ORP con la medición del potencial, el coeficiente que multiplica este logaritmo de la concentración es igual a -59,16 mV, dividido por el número de electrones en la semirreacción (n). En este caso, n = 2; por lo tanto, el coeficiente es -29,58. Un cambio de 10 veces en la concentración de Cl-, HOCl, H+ sólo cambiará el ORP ±29,58 mV. (Emerson Process Liquid Division, 2008)
El ORP depende del ion cloruro (Cl-) y del pH (H+) tanto como del ácido hipocloroso (cloro en el agua). Cualquier cambio en la concentración de cloruro o en el pH afectará al ORP. Por lo tanto, para medir el cloro con precisión, el ion cloruro y el pH deben medirse con gran exactitud o controlarse cuidadosamente hasta alcanzar valores constantes.
Para calcular la concentración de hipoclorito a partir de los milivoltios medidos, los milivoltios medidos aparecerán como el exponente de 10. La precisión típica de una medición de ORP es de ±5 mV. Este error por sí solo hará que la concentración de ácido hipocloroso calculada se desvíe en más de ±30%. Cualquier deriva en el electrodo de referencia o en el analizador de ORP sólo aumentará este error.
Cualquier cambio en el ORP con la temperatura no se compensa, aumentando aún más el error en la concentración derivada.
Prácticamente todas las semirreacciones de redox implican a más de una sustancia, y la gran mayoría dependen del pH. La dependencia logarítmica del ORP con respecto a la concentración multiplica cualquier error en los milivoltios medidos.
Los electrodos de ORP se envenenan fácilmente y quedan inutilizados durante horas, a menos que se retiren y se limpien.
El uso de ORP en la electrocloración del agua de mar sólo aumenta la mayoría de los problemas inherentes.
Zero calibration with ORP is difficult since different waters or contaminants with change the baseline. In seawater the baseline can range from -275 to 350 mV.
A logical conclusion from the foregoing is that ORP is not a good technique to apply to concentration measurements.
Amperometría
In an amperometric sensor, a fixed voltage is applied between two electrodes and a reaction takes place at the working electrode (cathode) in which chlorine is reduced from chlorine (HOCl) back to chloride (Cl-) Figure 4. This is reverse of what takes place in the chlorine generator where chlorine is generated at the anode. In an amperometric sensor the current that flows as a result of this reduction is proportional to the chlorine presented to the sensor. The figure above shows the “three electrode” configuration. Most membrane chlorine sensors use the “two electrode” method. In general, the two electrode method readings are not as stable and electrodes will not last as long as the three electrode method.
When chlorine is added to water it hydrolyzes to form:
Cl2 + H2O → HOCl + H+ + Cl-
HOCl (aq)OCl- (aq) + H+(aq)
It is usually hypochlorous acid (HOCl) that is measured by the amperometric membrane sensor
RELACIÓN LOGARÍTMICA VS. RELACIÓN LINEAL DE LA SEÑAL
As may be seen from Figure 5, in amperometric systems, the relationship to chlorine (or bromine) is linear vs. the logarithmic relationship for ORP. Any attempt to control bromine at 2 to 4 ppm will not result in very tight control since there is very poor resolution in that range when bromine is the oxidant.
Problems with use of orp in swimming pools
Cyanuric acid is widely used in virtually all outdoor swimming pools to prevent loss of chlorine due to ultraviolet light (sunlight). The most common form of stabilized chlorine is contains over 50% cyanuric acid by weight. As a result, in one season, cyanuric acid levels can increase rapidly, often exceeding 200 ppm. Levels above 300 ppm are often encountered in Arizona, California and Nevada. At levels of around 350 ppm, the ORP electrode is rapidly poisoned and must be cleaned every three days or so. There is no practical way to remove cyanuric acid other than draining some or all of the water. ORP systems cannot be used with high levels of cyanuric acid (over 40 ppm) while Amperometric systems can be used with Cyanuric Acid levels over 200. According to one ORP controller manufacturer swimming pools should not be run with more than 40 ppm of cyanuric acid even though most health departments allow up to 100 ppm and some even allow up to 200 ppm of cyanuric acid. This results in higher costs due to draining a portion of the water. The reason for this recommendation is, according to the company, that ORP increases when the sun goes down as the cyanuric acid. This allows the chlorine level to drop since the controller thinks there is more chlorine than there really is. The next morning when the sun rises the controller detects dangerously low levels of chlorine enters an alarm mode (when a condition of < 200 mV is detected) and shuts down the feed system, detecting a problem that requires intervention. As a result, commercial pools have to spend more money on water, in short supply in many areas, and suffer from needless control problems. HSI’s sensor is the only amperometric sensor that can be used in this application with high levels of cyanuric acid.
problems with orp in wastewater
A report comparing ORP to Amperometric sensors had the following comments regard ORP’s use in wastewater treatment plants:
“Ability to Provide Information to Meet Effluent Coliform Requirements” criterion, a score of two [out of 5] was determined. This score is lower than those given to the residual technologies for this same criterion because of questions raised in Chapter 9.0 that indicate ORP is not always correlated to microbial kill or may not operate successfully in all wastewater applications. Initial evidence suggests that: 1) some chemicals other than chlorine can elevate ORP levels but not produce effective microbial kill, 2) other chemicals can interfere with ORP function, and 3) that ORP may not be an effective solution for all wastewater applications based on the issues raised by points 1) and 2).
The authors point out, however, that some wastewater treatment plants have successfully used ORP and it does play a role in providing qualitative assessments of water quality.
“The ORP technology was given a criteria score of 2 for the criteria “Ability to Provide Process Control System Reliability”. As discussed in Chapter 7.0, there are concerns on how to check if ORP sensors are out of calibration. The inability to effectively predict or determine when an ORP analyzer goes out of calibration can impact process control stability.“
“Based on results from this work it was found that lab ORP probes couldn’t be used effectively to check field ORP calibrations because the lab units are easily fouled or poisoned by wastewater components (See Chapter 7.0).”
“Another concern is that ORP sensors from different manufacturers respond differently to variations in chlorine speciation.” (Damon S. Williams Associates, LLC, 2004)
In summary
In amperometric systems, the relationship to chlorine (or bromine) is linear vs. logarithmic for ORP. ORP will not be precise, require greater training, monitoring and could result in excessive corrosion of components or tanks, often defeating the purpose or its use in the first place.
Los sistemas amperométricos miden realmente el bromo (TRO) y no otro parámetro (redox), por lo que serán más precisos.
El cloro cero es siempre cero, por lo que no es necesario calibrar el cero con los sistemas amperométricos.
Los electrodos de los sistemas amperométricos no se envenenan fácilmente con sustancias orgánicas como los electrodos de ORP.
ORP is both a good qualitative indicator and a poor quantitative method.
Conclusiones sobre la PRL
The disadvantages of ORP all relate to routine equipment maintenance, calibration, electrode poisoning, presence of multiple redox couples, and very small exchange current that are logarithmically related to the analyte concentration. Or in other words, the assumption of a reversible chemical equilibrium, fast electrode kinetics, and the lack of interfering reactions are essential for chemical interpretations of the ORP potentials. Unfortunately, these conditions rarely, if ever, are met in real world systems (Kissinger, 1996). ORP can be used for qualitative analysis.
Halogen systems’ rapid response ORP
Halogen Systems included ORP measurement in its multi parameter sensor as an indicator for contamination. While the sensor’s chlorine measurement can detect chlorine from .05 to 15 ppm, it cannot detect the difference between contamination and water in which the chlorine residual was recently depleted. ORP can potentially fill in this gap by identifying a contamination event or cross connection by indicating a drop below the baseline ORP level. In addition, HSI’s measurement technique and self-cleaning system actually eliminates poisoning issues, providing a more reliable reading. While HSI’s ORP measurement may have a slight offset from other sensors but provides a reliable, qualitative measurement that overcomes many of the ORP problems.
