STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
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TECHNICAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
pH METER
OPERATING PROCEDURE
OBJECTIVE
The reason for monitoring the pH of the pretreatment is to ensure that the wash solution
remains in a condition or state that facilitates the type of cleaning/reaction etc. that
needs to happen in that particular stage. All wash solutions should be monitored for pH
(including ambient rinses). Refer to the wash parameter guides for specific pH ranges
for individual stages.
THEORY OF OPERATION:
The pH of a solution is simply the measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
Pure water is neutral - pH of 7. Acids range in pH from 0 - 7 with 0 being the strongest
and alkalines range from 7 -14 with 14 being the strongest. The more "extreme" the pH
the more corrosive the solution.
The pH of a solution in relation to the pretreatment of metal is critical. For example -
the pH of the cleaning stage must be within a specified range in order for the removal of
certain soils to take place. Too mild a solution will not clean the product. For more
information on pH refer to the Wash Pretreatment Guide.
The measurement of the pH of a solution is dependant on the temperature of the
solution. This is why whenever pH is measured the temperature must be included.
Most pH meters will compensate for temperature automatically. The temperature
probe must be positioned as close as possible to the pH probe for accuracy reasons.
The standard reference temperature for calibration etc. is 25 C.
TAKING A MEASUREMENT
* Submerge electrode with temperature probe in the sample of wash
solution (turn the meter on first). Stir for a few seconds.
* Allow the readings to stabilize (a minute or so) and record the results.
Note: pH measurements may be taken without the temperature probe by:
- Disconnecting the probe from the meter.
- Determine the temperature of the sample to be measured.
- Adjust the temperature display using the and temperature key
to the sample temperature.
* Always rinse probes off with deionized water after using.
Quality: Never rinse the probe with tap water!
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TECHNICAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
PROBE MAINTENANCE AND CALIBRATION
Although the meter is water resistant care should be taken not to get it wet or abuse the
probes. The pH electrode must be kept moist when in storage using either the storage
solution provided or in its absence a buffer of 4.
The probe should be cleaned every second day or when bulb becomes hazy using a
cleaning solution of 0.1N HCL (Hydrochloric acid - Test Solution #2). Soak for a
maximum of thirty minutes and rinse well with deionized water. In the event of oil or
grease build up rinse the probe using 75% methanol solution, blot dry with a soft cloth
and then soak for several hours in its storage solution or a buffer of 4. Do not store the
pH Probe in distilled water - this will greatly reduce the life of the probe.
The meter should have its calibration verified at least once every shift. It must also be
recalibrated whenever there is pH reading error that is greater than 0.1 pH from the
standard buffers. Calibration is performed using a buffer of 7 first followed by a buffer
of 4.
If air bubbles appear in the glass bulb they should be removed by GENTLY shaking
down the probe similar to a clinical thermometer.
9025 Hanna and PHH - 25 Omega pH Meters/Calibration
* Turn the meter on and press "Cal" The display will indicate calibration
mode as well as the buffer value and number.
* Adjust the buffer value to 7 using and C key.
* Immerse the pH probe and temperature probe in a buffer of 7. After the
reading stabilizes the meter will display "Ready" and "Con" will blink. (If
the reading will not stabilize change buffer solutions).
* Wait 30 seconds (after "Ready" is displayed) and then press "Con". If the
display reads "Wrong" then you did something wrong! Start over and
double check you pH buffer values!! If everything is cool the display will
prompt you to begin buffer #2.
* Rinse probe off using deionized water and select a buffer value of 4 using
the and C key.
* Submerge both probes in a buffer of 4. Allow reading to stabilize - the
meter will display "con" and "Ready" when it is done.
* Wait 30 seconds and then press the "Con" key. A display of "Wrong"
indicates that once more a wrong buffer was selected. Start over! If
everything is good the meter will automatically return to normal operating
mode.
* Rinse the probes using deionized water and verify the completed
calibration using the buffer solutions.
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TECHNICAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
HI 9023 Hanna pH Meter/Calibration
* Assure that the meter is in pH mode.
* Immerse the pH and temperature probes into pH 7.01 buffer, shake briefly
and wait 20 seconds for reading to stabilize.
Note: Probes should be at least 3 cm into the solution. Probes should be as
close together as possible.
* Press the CAL button. The temperature compensated pH value will blink
on the display. (i.e.: if temperature is 25 C, reading will be pH 7.01. If
temperature is 20 C the reading will be 7.03.)
Note: If E4" appears, the buffer solution is wrong or the probe is defective.
Check buffers and replace. If E4" still appears, call Maintenance to
replace probe.
* Wait for the pH symbol to stop flashing and press the CFM button. The
symbol E5" will appear to indicate that the electrode is still in the pH 7.01
buffer.
* Rinse both probes well with fresh, distilled water.
* Dip both probes into the 4.01 pH buffer solution; shake briefly and wait for
reading to stabilize.
* The E5" symbol should disappear and the temperature compensated
value will blink in the display.
* When pH symbol stops flashing, press the CFM button to confirm the
calibration.
Quality: To ensure the most accurate results, verify calibration of the meter
(calibrate if out greater than .1) the meter before each set of titrations.
Record any and all cleaning and maintenance performed on the log of service
performed for that particular meter and serial #.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
9025 Hanna and PHH - 25 Omega pH Meters
1. pH reading is slow or will not stabilize - visually inspect probe - clean if
- initiate calibration procedure after
- check for air bubbles in electrode
- probe may have been allowed to
dry
- inspect the electrode cable for
cracks
- contact Maintenance!
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TECHNICAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
2. Probe broke - get a new one from systems
Maintenance section.
- verify calibration.
3. Will not calibrate - be sure proper buffers are
selected.
- clean probe and soak in buffer of
- probe may be "out of range" due
to age or use - try a new one.
4. Display reads ""Cal"" when meter is
Turned - all calibration data has
been lost.
- press "Cal" and the meter will
reset to a slope of 0 to 100% (an
ideal
- Initiate normal calibration
5. Display reads "lo batt" - replace the batteries by removing
the two screws on the battery
cover on the back of the meter.
- ensure water proof seal is not
TROUBLE SHOOTING
9023 Hanna pH Meter
1. Instrument fails to calibrate or gives faulty
Readings - replace pH probe (Call gives
faulty readings to Maintenance.)
2. Slow response time or give faulty read
outs - visually inspect probe-clean if
necessary.
- re-initiate calibration after
cleaning.
- shake - down any air bubbles in
probe.
- soak in a buffer of 4 overnight (or
at least 2 hours) - check again.
- inspect probe for broken parts,
cracks, or breaks.
- contact Maintenance.
3. Instrument does not accept second buffer solution in calibration: or reading drift
- replace pH probe (contact
Maintenance)
4. Display reads Err 1" - sample solution may be out of
range -assure solution pH is
between 0 and 14.
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TECHNICAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
- check pH probe - contact
Maintenance
5. Display reads Err 2" - ensure C is within 0 - 100 C.
6. Display reads Err 3" - your are in an mV mode; switch
to pH mode.
7. Display reads Err 4" - ensure pH buffers are correct
and replace if not.
- replace probe; contact
Maintenance.
8. Display reads Err 5" - use fresh buffer solutions.
- replace probe; contact
Maintenance.
9. Display reads lo batt - replace batteries (4 AAA
batteries)
NEW PROBE
Several different types of probes are available for the Omega and Hanna meters.
Omega Probes:
1. The electrode must be kept moist.
2. If probe is moist it should be able to be used immediately.
3. If the probe has been allowed to dry out it should be soaked in a pH buffer of 4.0
for 2 hours prior to re-using it. If it has been dry for an extended period of time
permanent damage will result.
4. Avoid storage in Distilled Water.
WJF Probes:
1. Keep electrode moist. Store in buffer of 4.
2. Prior to first use or after extended storage soak pH bulb in buffer of 4 or 7 for 30
minutes. It is now ready to use.
