MODEL 3081 pH/ORP

SECTION 16.0

 

GLOSSARY

pH

Although pH is often defined as the negative common logarithm of the hydrogen

 

ion activity, pH is best defined by describing how it is measured. The measure-

 

ment requires three steps. Assemble an electrochemical cell consisting of a glass

 

electrode, a reference electrode, and the solution. Calibrate the cell by measur-

 

ing the voltage of two standard buffer solutions. Finally, measure the cell voltage

 

with sample present. Because voltage is directly proportional to pH, the pH of the

 

sample can be calculated from the calibration data. The operational definition

 

places the pH of the sample on the pH scale defined by the buffers.

Platinum electrode

A platinum electrode is a noble metal electrode commonly used for measuring

 

ORP. The potential developed at the electrode is directly proportional to the ratio

 

of the concentrations of oxidized and reduced substances present in the sample.

 

pH influences the ORP.

Platinum RTD

As the name implies, platinum is the sensing element in a platinum RTD. Platinum

 

RTDs are usually identified in terms of their resistance at 0°C. The resistance of

 

a platinum RTD changes +0.39% per °C.

Preamplifier

A preamplifier, located in either the sensor or in a junction box close to the sen-

 

sor, boosts the signal from the sensor before sending it to the analyzer. Generally,

 

if the pH signal is to be sent more than about 15 feet, it should be preamplified.

Process display

The process display of the Model 3081pH/ORP transmitter continuously shows

 

the basic measurement (pH or ORP), the temperature, and the output signal.

Prompt

Prompts guide the user through calibrating and programming the transmitter.

 

Prompts identify the parameter being edited and request the user to enter a num-

 

ber or to select a setting.

Reduction

Reduction is the gain of electrons. For example, when an iron (III) ion becomes

 

an iron (II) ion, it gains an electron: Fe+3 + e- = Fe+2.

Reference electrode

A reference electrode maintains a stable potential independent of the pH or ORP

 

of the sample. The reference electrode also contains a reference junction that

 

electrically connects the electrode with the sample. The silver-silver chloride elec-

 

trode is the most common reference electrode in industrial and laboratory appli-

 

cations. The electrode consists of a piece of silver wire plated with silver chloride

 

in contact with a solution of concentrated potassium chloride.

Reference impedance

The reference impedance is the overall resistance of the reference electrode to

 

the flow of current through it. Generally, as the reference junction becomes coat-

 

ed and plugged, the reference impedance increases.

Reference offset

When the transmitter reading is forced to match the reading from a second pH

 

meter, the transmitter calculates the difference between its reading and the sec-

 

ond meter and converts the difference to voltage. The difference is the reference

 

offset. If the reference offset exceeds the programmed limit, the transmitter will

 

not adjust the pH reading.

Reset

Resetting the transmitter ends the current operation without saving data and

 

returns the transmitter to the process display. Reset does not return the transmit-

 

ter to factory default setting.

RTD

RTD is an acronym for resistance temperature detector.

Salt bridge

A salt bridge provides an electrical connection between two electrolyte solutions

 

without permitting the solutions to mix. The classic salt bridge is a U-shaped tube

 

filled with gelled potassium chloride and plugged at both ends with a porous mate-

 

rial. When the ends are inserted in separate beakers an electrical connection is

 

formed between the beakers. See the definition of electrochemical cell.

Shield

A shield is a metal braid that encloses the insulated signal carrying wire. The

 

shield protects the signal wire from extraneous signals.

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Emerson Process Management 3081 pH/ORP instruction manual Rtd, 132