
ATI
Q46H/79PR Chlorine Manual
Part
7 – Calibration
52
O&M Manual
Rev-E (5/17)
7.3
pH Calibration
The pH calibration menus will not be seen unless the optional pH sensor input is turned ON and a
special pH sensor is connected to the input of the instrument. See section 6.23 Calibration Menu
[CAL] pH Input for more details.
The pH calibration functions appear in the CAL menu listing when the optional pH input is
enabled in the CONFIG menu. When enabled, the pH input signal is used to compensate the
free chlorine signal. Calibration of pH is performed in one of two methods; one-point or two-point.
For new sensors or for calibration in two different pH buffers with the sensor removed from the
process, choose a two-point calibration. For on-line calibrations with the sensor still mounted in
the process, choose a one-point calibration. For two-point calibrations, it is highly recommended
to use fresh pH buffers of 7 pH and 9.18 pH.
The conductivity difference between the process water and the sensor reference solution can
cause an effect called a “junction potential”. The junction material of the pH sensor is porous
ceramic, which allows the sensor reference solution to be in electrical continuity with the process
solution. One problem is caused by the reference junction and the diffusion rate of the electrolyte
through the junction material. The inside surface of the junction material is in contact with the
reference cell solution, which has a very high ionic strength. The outside surface of the junction
material is in contact with the process water, which can have low ionic strength. This
concentration gradient creates what is called a “junction
potential” which can vary with the flow
rate of the process. The magnitude of this potential can be upwards of 30 mV (half a pH unit).
The lower the conductivity of the water the larger the effect.
It is not possible to eliminate this effect; however it usually is constant or very slow changing.
A full calibration of the pH sensor consists of an initial 2-point calibration in buffers. This sets the
slope and zero offset of the sensor. The sensor should then be left in the process water for
enough time for the system to fully stabilize to process conditions. This may take up to a few
hours, depending on process conditions. A 1-point calibration must then be carried out. The ideal
way to do this is by calibrating to a laboratory sample. After the 1-point calibration only the zero
offset will have changed.
Routine calibration of the pH sensor is a 1point calibration.