pH

& pH Meter

pH is a unit of measure which describes the

degree of acidity or alkalinity (basic) of a
solution.
It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14.
The formal definition of pH is the negative
logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity.
pH = -log[H+]

The pH value of a substance is directly

related to the ratio of the hydrogen ion and
hydroxyl ion concentrations.
If the H+ concentration is higher than OHthe material is acidic.
If the OH- concentration is higher than H+
the material is basic.
7 is neutral, < is acidic, >7 is basic

The pH scale corresponds to the concentration of hydrogen ions.

The addition of acid to water increases the

concentration of hydrogen ions and reduces
the concentration of hydroxyl ions
The addition of a base would increase the
concentration of hydroxyl ions and decrease
the concentration of hydrogen ions

How a pH meter works

When one metal is brought in contact
with another, a voltage difference occurs
due to their differences in electron
mobility.
When a metal is brought in contact with
a solution of salts or acids, a similar
electric potential is caused.
Similarly, an electric potential develops
when one liquid is brought in contact
with another one, but a membrane is
needed to keep such liquids apart.

A pH measurement system consists of three

parts: a pH measuring electrode, a
reference electrode, and a Transmitter
The pH measuring electrode is a hydrogen
ion sensitive glass bulb.
The reference electrode output does not
vary with the activity of the hydrogen ion.

There are two

electrodes inside
the probe that
measure voltage.
One is contained in
liquid with fixed
pH.
The other
measures the
acidity of the
sample through the
amount of H+ ions.

A voltmeter in the probe measures the

difference between the voltages of the two
electrodes.
The meter then translates the voltage
difference into pH and displays it on the
screen.

Temperature
compensation is
contained within the
instrument because pH
electrodes are
temperature sensitive.
Temperature
compensation only
corrects for the change in
the output of the
electrode, not for the
change in the actual
solution.
Buffers are solutions that
have constant pH values
and the ability to resist
changes in pH.
They are used to calibrate
the pH meter.

Are available in
o 4.01 pH
o 7.00 pH
o 9.18 pH
o 10.01 pH

To perform pH measurement, the pH meter must always

be calibrated using the standard solution. The general
calibration method is "two-point calibration" which is
performed using two types of pH standard solution, but
the simple "one-point calibration" is conducted using one
type of pH standard solution.
As it is also called a "buffer solution," a pH standard
solution has the property (buffer action) of protecting
against the addition of an acid or base and minimizing pH
changes. The types of pH standard solutions and pH
values at each temperature are specified.

Electrodes cannot be produced with exactly identical

characteristics.

Zero pH and sensitivity will vary with time and different

manufacturers

produce electrodes with different nominal values. The

calibration

matches the pH meter to the current characteristics of

the electrodes.

The calibration process is generally performed by

measuring in two different

buffer solutions. This enables both pH (zero pH) and the

slope

(sensitivity) to be determined.

5% Sulphuric acid, H2SO4, battery acid.

0.1 N HCl, hydrochloric acid (1.1)

Lemon juice. Vinegar (2.4-3.4)

wine (3.5-3.7)

Orange juice. Apple juice (3.8). Beer. Tomatoes.

Cottage cheese. Black coffee. Rain water 5.6.

Milk. Fish (6.7-7). chicken (6.4-6.6).

Neutral: equal numbers of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. Blood (7.1-7.4). Distilled water without
CO2, after boiling.

Sea water (8.1). Egg white.

Borax. baking soda.

10 Milk of magnesia
11 Household ammonia
12 Photographic developer
13 Oven cleaner
14 Sodium lye NaOH, 1 mol/litre.

Damage in probe
Sensor cable faulty
Sensor weak
Deposition on sensor
KCL level down
KCL Characteristics not good
Power failure or Less power
Termination looseness
Moisture in Transmitter's housing
Turbulences in Process Flow