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Using
ABSTRACT
Using pH meters. A pH meter is used to determine if a
liquid is acidic or alkaline. It is important to know if a
chemical is corrosive to human tissue and engineering
materials so that appropriate protection can be provided.
The pH is the measure of the amount of free H+ ions in a
solution. The measure of pH ranges from 0 at the acid end to
14 the base end. Each full division is ten times stronger than
the previous division (a logarithmic scale). Keywords:
reference electrode, neutral, hydrogen ion.
The chemical make-up of acids includes hydrogen (e.g.
sulphuric acid - H2SO4, and acetic acid (vinegar) -
CH3COOH). In the case of a base its chemical make-up
includes the hydroxyl ion, OH-. Sodium Hydroxide (caustic
soda – NaOH) is an example. When in solution (dissolved)
the molecules of an acid or a base dissociate (disunite) into a
mixture of its component groups and the complete molecule.
The components are electrically charged ions. They are
unstable and want to bond chemically to become stable.
pH – WHAT IS IT?
The mid-point of the pH scale is at 7 and represents neutral
distilled water, which is neither an acid nor a base. A strong
solution of a strong acid would measure zero and a strong
solution of a strong base would measure 14. This makes the
pH scale only useful for measuring dilute solutions of strong
acids and bases or for solutions of weak acids and bases.
Sulphuric acid is a ‘strong acid’ whereas vinegar is a ‘weak
acid’. In weak acids the hydrogen atom is mainly bound to
the other component atoms to make a molecule and only a
few hydrogen ions are free to move about the solution in the
electrically charged H+ form. In strong acids there are large
numbers of free hydrogen ions available to react.
A 5% solution of vinegar can be drank safely but drinking a
5% solution of sulphuric acid would be a disaster. The
available quantity of free hydrogen ions makes the acids
react differently and that is reflected by the pH.
Sodium Hydroxide or caustic soda, NaOH, is an example of
a ‘strong base’. In a sodium hydroxide solution there are
numerous reactive OH- ions available and that makes it a
very dangerous chemical. In the case of a base pH measures
the absence of the H+ ion.
pH MEASUREMENT
The most popular industrial method to measure pH is with an
electrode that generates a voltage directly related to the H+
concentration when placed into the process chemical. Figure
No. 1 is a simplified drawing of a pH probe.
1" MNPT
1" WRENCH
TEMP COMP
OPENING
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5.67
Figure No. 1. A pH Measurement probe
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pH meters.
The measuring electrode is sintered glass or ceramic and
contained within it there is a solution of known pH
concentration. The sintered glass allows migration of the H+.
When the probe is immersed into a chemical to take a
measurement, the H+ ions in the chemical alter the H+
concentration in the glass around the internal solution of the
electrode and a change in voltage occurs. This voltage is
amplified, then compared to the reference electrode voltage.
It is temperature compensated and finally displayed as a pH
value on the instrument’s read-out.
A second electrode, the reference electrode, is needed to
compare the effect of the chemical being measured with a
known and unchanging solution. Within the reference
electrode there are chambers of other solutions that interact
to maintain a constant steady voltage. This is compared to
the voltage from the measuring electrode. To insure an
electrical circuit is maintained between the measuring
electrode and the reference electrode, a wetted wooden plug
forms a ‘liquid junction’ between the reference electrode’s
outer surface and the internal chambers of reference liquid.
A third sensing element is required to provide temperature
compensation. The pH reading accuracy is changed as the
temperature of the electrode changes. In order to provide a
true pH reading the temperature effect needs to be corrected.
FACTORS AFFECTING pH MEASUREMENT
For accurate results there are two categories of issues to be
addressed when using pH meters – the chemical process
variables and the pH probe requirements.
The process variables to be considered include -
• the retention or hold-up time needed for chemical
interactions within the process to come to completion,
• the transfer time needed for the dosing system to add the
neutralising agent when required,
• the measurement lag time between the process
chemical’s change in pH and the probe’s detection of
the change,
• the process mixing rate and amount of agitation
available to properly mix the chemical being measured
so a pH measurement reflects the bulk chemical’s pH,
• the chemical and physical properties of the process
which can affect the measurement quality, such as
corrosion, erosion, sediment, caking, etc on the probe.
The pH probe requirements to provide accuracy include –
• time for pH to stabilise without rapid changes,
• stable temperature without extremes,
• clean electrode surfaces,
• full probe contact with the liquid being measured,
• sufficient conductivity through the process chemical,
• no poisoning or drying of the reference electrode.
There are a number of operations and maintenance issues to
be addressed for successful use of a pH probe in the plant.
Chemical compatibility is critical and the appropriate
plastics, elastomers and metals need to be selected for the
service. Hot acid and hot base vapours will work their way
into the probe’s internals unless it is suitably protected.
The probe has to be easy it get to for maintenance. The
internal solutions within the electrode of the probe require
periodic replenishment. Eventually the probe will need
replacement once the electrode’s viability is finished. If the
probe becomes coated in caked-on residue or coagulating
agents it will need repetitive cleaning. Be careful when
removing the probe if build-up is encrusted around it. It
must be removed straight out and not tilted over because
post-type glass electrodes will crack if bent.
When mounted in a pipeline the probe must not intrude into
a thoroughfare as it will be knocked and broken. If one is it
mounted into a drainage sump that will need to be cleaned-
out, make the probe removable so it can be taken away
before cleaning starts or protect it from the impact of shovels
and cleaning equipment.
The liquid junction of the reference electrode must always be
wet. If the installation permits the liquid junction to dry out
the pH probe is destroyed. In such situations use probes that
have a wetting spray that regularly squirt water onto the
liquid junction to keep it moist.
Mike Sondalini – Maintenance Engineer

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used they accept no responsibility for the consequences of using the information contained or implied in any articles.