Calibration and Maintenance of Conductivity Meter

Calibration and Maintenance
of Conductivity Meter
Electrochemical Analysis Laboratory
Department of Chemical Metrology and Biometry
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Outline
What is Conductivity?
How is Conductivity Measured?
What is Conductive solution?
Conductivity Meter
Traceability
Standard method
Rules for reliable measurement
Calibration
2
Conductivity is the ability of a solution to pass an
electric current. The current is carried by cations and
anions.
1
G
R
The electrical conductance
(G, Siemens) is the
reciprocal of the resistance
(R, Ohm).
3
A 1 A
G
l l
A
l
is the electrode area (m2)

is the electrode gap (m)
is the specific conductivity (S/m)
is the specific resistance (m)
l
K
A
K is the cell constant (m-1)
4
Solution conducts electricity depends on
Concentration
Mobility of ions
Valence of ions
Temperature
5

Conductivity may be measured by applying an
alternating electrical current (I) to two electrodes
immersed in a solution and measuring the resulting
voltage (V).
6

Conductivity is measured in aqueous solutions of
electrolytes.
Electrolytes are substances containing ions or
compounds that ionise in solution.
Strong electrolytes: fully ionised in solution
Weak electrolytes: not fully ionised in solution
7

C C n
C
n
is molar conductance (S cm2 mol-1)

is conductivity (S/m)
is concentration
is charge of ion
is equivalent conductivity of ion
8

Equivalent conductivity of various ions at 25 oC
9
Conductivity value of solution
10
At
the
low
electrolytic
conductivity,
the
relationship between conductivity and concentration is

linear.
11
The cell constant (K) cannot be determined by

measuring the electrode gap and area.
The cell constant is determined using a calibration
solution with known conductivity (usually 0.01 mol/l
KCl solution)
12
Conductivity Meter
13
Conductivity Meter
The
conductivity
meter uses the conductance

and cell constant to display
the conductivity
Conductivity = cell constant x conductance

14
Conductivity Cell
2 pole cell
3 pole cell
4 pole cell
Platinised cell
Flow through cell
15
Conductivity Cell
2 pole cell : universal used, interfere with
polarization
3 pole cell: better reproducibility
16
Conductivity Cell
4 pole cell: should measure with outer tube
to minimize volume effect
17
Conductivity Cell
Platinised cell: coated electrode
with platinum black to increase
surface
area
and
decrease
polarization effect.
18
Conductivity Cell
Flow through cell: designed for flow
system or small
suitable
for
volume sample,
measurement
of
conductivity of pure water (avoid

carbon dioxide)
19
Storage
Before storing the cell, rinse with deionised water
Short-term : deionised water
Long-term : deionised water or store dry
After long-term storage, condition the cell for 8 hours in

deionised water before use.
20
Selection of Conductivity Meter

Factor affecting measurement accuracy
Formats and units of reports results
Suitability for the measuring environment
features assisting ease of use
21
Selection of Conductivity Cell

2 pole cell
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Easy to maintain
- Field effect cell must

be positioned in the middle
of measuring vessel
- Economic
- Polarization in high
conductivity sample
- Recommended for
viscous sample with
suspension
22
Selection of Conductivity Cell

4 pole cell
Advantages
- Linear over a very large
conductivity range
Disadvantages
- Unsuitable for micro
samples
- Calibration and
measurement in different
range
- Ideal for high
conductivity measurement
23
24
Conductivity Measurement
The accuracy of conductivity measurements can be
influenced by
Polarization
Geometry
Temperature
25
Polarization
Polarization occurs on the electrode surface,

which leads to errors on result.
26
Preventing polarization
increasing the electrode area: coating platinum
black on platinum electrode
Selecting 4 pole conductivity cell
27
Geometry related errors field effect
Field lines
These field lines can effect the

measurement if something
interferes with the field lines
such as the sample vessel
wall.
This effect can be minimized
by using 4-pole conductivity
cell
28
Temperature
Conductivity measurements are the
dependent, varying from 1.5 to 5.5 %/oC
temperature
Temperature increasing - conductivity increasing

Conductivity meter measures the actual
conductivity and temperature and then converts
it to reference temperature using temperature
correction function
29
Temperature
Temperature correction function
Linear function
Non-linear function
User-Definable temperature compensation
30

Linear function
31
Determination of the temperature coefficient
The temperature coefficients of some electrolytes
32

Non-linear function
Non-linear
compensation data for
variety of solutions is
widely available such
as
ISO
7888-1985
(natural waters)
33
Traceability
=GK
Primary cell
(defined dimension)
Primary reference solution
Secondary cell
Secondary reference solution
Electrolytic conductivity meter
34
Standard method for Conductivity

Measurement of Water
ASTM D1195 95 (Reapproved 1999) Standard
Test Methods for Electrical
Conductivity and
Resistivity of Water
ISO 7888 1985 Water quality Determination of
electrolytic conductivity
OIML R 68 Calibration method for conductivity
cells
35
Rules for reliable measurements

Calibrate frequently: cell constant is an important
factor for conductivity measurement. Calibration
interval for conductivity cell will depend on the
application, sample and operating condition.
Temperature and stirring conditions: For accurate
measurement, recommended to use thermostat bath
36

Position of conductivity cell: All the pole of
conductivity cell are covered by the sample and stand
at the center of sample vessel.
Low conductivity measurement:
use a flow through cell, to avoid CO2 from air
use non-platinised and low cell constant (< 1 cm-1)
37

High conductivity measurement:
use platinised cells to prevent polarization error
use high cell constant (> 1 cm-1)
do not dilute sample (conductivity is not
proportional to concentration at high levels)
38
General Condition
The conductivity of an electrolytic solution may be
determined from the measured resistance of the cell,
when it contains the solution, and the constant K of
the cell
The value of the cell constant K depends on
the construction of the cell
the temperature and concentration of the
solution
the measuring frequency
etc.
39
Preparation for Calibration

check the rigidity of the fixing of the electrode and
the state of their surface
the cell shall be degreased with the appropriate
solvent according to the materials of which the cell
and electrode are made and then wash with distilled
water
the standard solution shall be prepared in quantity
sufficient for calibration
40
Calibration
the cell shall be washed with standard solution at
least 5 times
the solution of the last washing shall be left in the
cell for 10 minutes
the cell containing the solution shall be brought in
thermostat bath at 25 0C and maintain at thermal
equilibrium
41
Calibration
the cell shall be washed with standard solution at
least 5 times
the solution of the last washing shall be left in
the cell for 10 minutes
the cell containing the solution shall be brought
in thermostat bath at 25 0C and maintain at thermal
equilibrium
42
43

Calibration and Maintenance of Conductivity Meter

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Calibration and Maintenance

is the electrode area (m2)

How is Conductivity Measured?

What is Conductive solution?

What is Conductive solution?

is molar conductance (S cm2 mol-1)

is equivalent conductivity of ion

What is Conductive solution?

Conductivity value of solution

What is Conductive solution?

relationship between conductivity and concentration is

How is Conductivity Measured?

The cell constant (K) cannot be determined by

meter uses the conductance

Conductivity = cell constant x conductance

3 pole cell: better reproducibility

conductivity of pure water (avoid

After long-term storage, condition the cell for 8 hours in

Selection of Conductivity Meter

Selection of Conductivity Cell

- Field effect cell must

Selection of Conductivity Cell

Polarization occurs on the electrode surface,

These field lines can effect the

Temperature increasing - conductivity increasing

Temperature correction function

Determination of the temperature coefficient

The temperature coefficients of some electrolytes

Temperature correction function

Standard method for Conductivity

Rules for reliable measurements

Rules for reliable measurements

Rules for reliable measurements

Preparation for Calibration

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