Nutrient Analyzers & Sensors

Nutrient Analyzers & Sensors

Nutrient analyzers and sensors measure key species that drive biological treatment performance and environmental compliance - commonly ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and total phosphorus. Product families span in-situ sensors for fast response, ion-selective electrodes, optical sensing approaches, and colorimetric analyzers when laboratory-grade selectivity and precision are required.

Continuous nutrient measurement supports compliance at wastewater treatment plant outlets and helps minimize discharge fees by maintaining control of regulated parameters. Within the biological process, nutrient data enables optimized aeration control and precipitant dosing, improves visibility into denitrification behavior, and supports reliable production of safe drinking, mineral, and process water where nutrient control is part of broader water-quality management.

Technology selection depends on the control objective. In-situ sensors are often preferred for nitrate and ammonia when rapid trend information is needed for timely process control. Colorimetric analyzers are favored for critical control points and for parameters such as ammonia, nitrite, phosphate, and total phosphorus when high-precision analysis is needed to meet authority-stipulated limit values.

Typical applications include aeration basin control (nitrification optimization), anoxic zone monitoring (denitrification confirmation), chemical phosphorus removal control, and final effluent verification. Nutrient monitoring can also be applied to intake and surface-water programs where changes in nutrient loading must be tracked to understand upstream influences or seasonal patterns.

Deployment considerations include sample representativeness, cleaning and maintenance strategy (especially for in-situ probes), and reagent management where colorimetric methods are used. Integrating nutrient measurements with complementary parameters (e.g., oxygen, pH/ORP, turbidity/solids) strengthens control models and supports alarm strategies that distinguish true process events from sensor artifacts.

George E. Booth Co., an exclusive authorized representative of sales and service for Endress+Hauser.