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NICO probe

Online and in-situ measurements of nitrates

NICO is a UV submersible photometer for the online measurement of nitrate NO₃ or total nitragen NOx concentrations.

The probe is equipped with three detection channels for an accurate optical determination of the nitrate by absorption, taking into account the turbidity and organic substances present in the field.

Indeed the reliability of the measurements is enhanced by 3 attenuation measures, the one from nitrate absorption and nitrites at 212 nm, organic compounds at 254 nm and the turbidity measured at 360 nm. Absorption calculations are optimized by a reference photodiode which measures the intensity of the light source and automatically corrects the aging of the lamp.

In case of high nitrite concentrations, a spectral measurement to dissociate nitrates from nitrite is recommended with the OPUS sensor.

The sensor has many accessories to optimize its integration into the processes, automate its cleaning and facilitate the use of mea- surement data. Measurement campaigns and mobile apps are also available with the optional battery.

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Measurement principle

A xenon flash lamp emits a broad spectrum light, controlled by a reference diode and directed into a beam of parallel wavelengths toward the optical path to traverse the field. The compounds present in the water then absorb the light at specific wavelengths.
The NICO probe receives the attenuated light and measures on 3 channels the absorption at 212 nm (for the total nitrogen), at 254 nm (light absorbed by the organic compounds) and at 360 nm for the attenuation due to the turbidity .
NICO calculates 212 nm light attenuation, based on organic compounds and water turbidity, to determine the total NOx-N nitrogen concentration of the water.

Applications

Wastewater treatment plants
Environmental monitoring
Drinking water monitoring
Industrial applications

Advantages

Accuracy and reliability by measurement of attenuation
Automatic compensation of turbidity and organic parameters
Optical windows with nano treatment against deposits
Many accessories for integration
In-situ and continuous measurements

Principle of measurement	Light attenuation measurement with compensation
Detector	4 photodiodes + filters
Parameters	NO₃-N, NO₃, NOx-N (calibrated with NO₃ solution standard)
Measuring ranges	- 1 mm optical path : 0.5 ... 60 mg / l NO₃-N
Measurement accuracy	± 5 %
Turbidity compensation	Automatic
Internat memory	2 GB
T100 response time	20 s
Measurement interval	≧ 10 min
Probe Body Materials	Stainless steel (1.4571 / 1.4404) or titanium (3.7035)
Dimensions (L x d)	470 mm x 48 mm (with optical path 10 mm)
Weight	~ 3 kg stainless steel ~ 2 kg titanium
Digital output	- Ethernet (TCP/IP) - RS-232 ou RS-485 (Modbus RTU)
Analog output	4 ... 20 mA
Power Supply and consumption	12 ... 24 VCC, ≦ 8 W
Maintenance	≦ 0,5 h/months
Calibration interval	24 months
Maximum pressure of use	- with SubConn connector : 30 bars - with fixed cable : 3 bars - in flowcell : 1 bar
Temperature of the medium / sample	+ 2 ... + 40 °C
Inflow velocity	0,1 ... 10 m/s