Category
Suspended Solids Analysers (TSS)
Measure total suspended solids in effluent, sewage and sludge treatment.
A suspended solids analyzer measures how much solid material is in water or sludge, using an infrared pulsing beam, so a plant can control sludge wasting and thickening without a lab sample. The Chemitec S461 N sensor covers 0 to 30 g/l activated sludge or 0 to 100 g/l kaolin, with a Series 30 transmitter for display and control.
2 Products · Suspended Solids Analyser
Selection guide
Suspended Solids Analysers (TSS) Guide
How a suspended solids analyzer works
The S461 N sensor uses an infrared pulsing beam method: it fires pulses of infrared light through the sample and measures how much is scattered or absorbed by suspended particles. Pulsing the light, rather than using it continuously, lets the sensor separate the true signal from ambient light and reduces drift, which is what gives it a fast T90 response, under 60 seconds, and good resolution even in the higher-solids ranges typical of sludge.
How to choose a suspended solids analyzer
- Range: 0 to 30 g/l for activated sludge duty, or 0 to 100 g/l kaolin-equivalent for thicker sludge streams; pick the range that puts your normal operating point mid-scale.
- Body material: stainless steel 316 as standard, with special epoxy windows, or PVC where the medium is less abrasive; connects via a 1" GAS thread.
- Accuracy needed: the S461 N gives 0.1 g/l resolution and ±0.3 g/l accuracy, adequate for process control though not a substitute for a lab MLSS check.
- Response time: T90 under 60 seconds suits fast-changing streams such as return sludge, where a slow sensor would lag the actual process.
- Controller: pair with the Series 30 transmitter, which displays the reading, raises alarms and sends a 4 to 20 mA signal to your PLC or SCADA.
For cloudiness and low-solids clarity checks on clarified water, see Turbidity Sensor.
FAQ
Common questions
What's the difference between turbidity and suspended solids?
Turbidity measures how cloudy clear or lightly loaded water is, reported in NTU, using scattered light. A suspended solids analyzer measures the actual solids concentration in heavier streams such as sludge, reported in g/l. Use turbidity for clarified water and suspended solids for mixed liquor or sludge.
What range does the S461 N cover?
0 to 30 g/l for activated sludge duty, or 0 to 100 g/l kaolin-equivalent, with 0.1 g/l resolution and ±0.3 g/l accuracy. Choose the range that keeps your typical operating point away from the low or high end of the scale.
Can it measure mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in an aeration tank?
Yes. Measuring MLSS in the aeration tank is a typical use, alongside return and surplus activated sludge and thickener feed, wherever a continuous solids trend helps control sludge wasting or thickening instead of relying on periodic grab samples.
How fast does the sensor respond to changing solids?
The T90 response is under 60 seconds, which is fast enough to track return sludge or thickener feed streams that change quickly, so the transmitter's 4 to 20 mA output stays close to the actual process value rather than lagging it.
Does the sensor need frequent cleaning in sludge?
The stainless steel 316 body and special epoxy windows are built for sludge duty, but exact cleaning intervals depend on how much grease or fibre is in your stream. Tell us your sludge type and typical solids level and we'll advise on maintenance frequency.
What output does the suspended solids transmitter give?
The Series 30 transmitter displays the reading, raises alarms and sends a 4 to 20 mA signal to your PLC or SCADA, so the solids trend can be logged and used to trigger sludge wasting or thickener control automatically.
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