Nortek Multi Parameter Probe

The Nortek Multi Parameter Probe is a stand alone water-quality data collection system for use in harsh environments. Basically it is a combination of field-proven sensors packaged in a robust delrin and brass frame. Data collection and control is handled by a standard Campbell Scientific CR-800 datalogger, packaged in a sturdy PE-plastic pressure housing. This provides a proven stable platform for data collection and retrieval and allows for easy customisation. Data is logged internally or may be output in a NMEA compatible format over RS-232. Data can also be read from the instrument using the SDI-12 or Modbus protocols. When a GPRS modem is connected all data is automatically sent to an FTP server.
Supported sensors:
- CS547 Conductivity / Temperature
- OBS-3+ Optical Backscatter
- CS525 ISFET pH probe
- InsiteIG Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature
- Valeport miniCT (replaces the CS547)
- Ponsel OPTOD-Dissoved Oxygen Sensor
- Chelsea Instruments TriLux - Blue-algea, Chlorophyll, Turbidity
- Ponsel C4E - Conductivity / Temperature
Internal sensors:
- Pressure (optional)
- Internal temperature
Derived parameters:
- Salinity
- Dissolved oxygen in mg/l

Thursday 10 October 2013

Now you see it.. now you don't..

One of our customers mentioned that all the sensors and cabling was quite open. So far none of our deployments actually suffered from that. Some mud, algae and bio-life does stick between the sensors but it's always easy to remove. However when using the instrument from a vessel at sea its not unlikely that floating debris might hit the sensors and cabling.
The new (optional) detachable covers were designed to prevent this.



Monday 2 July 2012

All that glitters ain't gold.

As mentioned before, the biggest problem for optical sensors is bio-fouling. Anything that grows on the face of on of the sensors will mess up the measurement. Our major weapon against all the fouling is of course our wiper. But an additional attempt to keep underwater lifeforms away is made by adding a brass plate. Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that is known for the fact that it limits the growth of bio-fouling. And when it has not touched the water yet, like in the picture above, it looks very nice. Let's hope it still looks good after a few months.

Monday 4 June 2012

Brush well and stay clean.

As most of the sensors in the next revision of the NMPP will be optical there will be one one major problem: bio-fouling. Algae will grow on the sensors and all kinds of little animals tend to find a comfortable place in between.
To keep the sensors clean it's necessary to wipe them at regular intervals. This can be done manually but a mechanical wiper that is automatically activated at regular intervals is more convenient. A general solution for this is using the Zebra-tech Hydro-wiper. A motorized brush with it's own control logic that is available in different variations for all kinds of different sensors. An excellent device BUT unfortunately too big for our application, and not capable of cleaning 5 sensors at the same time.


A device that much better suits our needs is the Mechanical Wiper as used (and created by) Turner Designs. Although it's actually just a part of their C6 Multi-Sensor Platform they also sell it as a separate item (or more as a spare-part for the C6 probably). It's slim, small motorized wiper with two brushes that would nicely fit the NMPP.
There's only one problem. Turner Designs will sell us the wiper as a separate item, they will not tell us what is inside or how to control it.
But let's face it, what could be inside ? There must be a DC motor, probably something between 5 and 12 V DC, some way to read the position of the brush (after all it always has to make just one rotation and never block a sensor) and maybe some control logic.
We decided to take the risk and just order them. After all, if we found no way to get the internal control logic to work we could always just control the motor manually.
Much to our surprise it was simpler than we ever expected. Opening the wiper reveals just a small motor with built-in gear box and a three wire sensor attached to part where the rotating axis passes through. Some measurements quickly reveal that the motor is a 5V type (4.4 ohm coil resistance) and that the sensor is probably a hall effect sensor with an open collector output. And that's it. All the visible wires are just directly connected to the 6-pin connector on the outside.
So we just connected the power pins to a 5V DC/DC converter that is switched by the Campbell datalogger and the hall-effect sensor to one of it's analogue inputs. And it works fine. We power the 5V DC, wait some fixed time so the hall effect sensor is off and then wait until it switches back on. Stop the motor, and that's it. It's almost too simple, as illustrated by the connection diagram...



Monday 21 May 2012

Revision 2: The Quest for Blue-Algae

Algae bloom in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
After shipping the first series of the NMPP there has not been much follow-up. But the project is active again since we now have to supply three systems for inland water quality monitoring. Here the focus is on measuring algae, and specifically blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria.
Algae can be measured using  fluorometry. The algae are lit by a an LED transmitting light at a  specific wavelength and respond to that by transmitting light in a different wavelength which in turn can be detected by the sensor. These fluorenscence sensors have been used in laboratories for years but have now also become quite common in field measurements.
So the next revision of the NMPP will have to measure the following parameters:
  • Blue Algae
  • Chlorophyll
  • Turbidity
  • Dissolved Oxygen
  • pH
  • Temperature
  • Conductivity



Thursday 7 October 2010

Hitting the Water

Jarno deploys the NMP800 in the Amsterdam harbour

Since it is a Water quality probe we supposed it would be a good idea to take it out in the field and measure some real water. This picture was taken while deploying the probe in the Amsterdam harbour, just before we lowered it to 9 meters deep.
For what it's worth (and if you ever consider swimming here..), here are the results:


Water Temperature
Conductivity
pH
Turbidity
Dissolved Oxygen

16.9 degrees
7.24 mS/cm
8.45
5.5 NTU
6.1 %

Tuesday 14 September 2010

NMPP 800 is here !

After assembly this is how it looks:


NMPP 800 - Details of sensors Inside

Sunday 8 August 2010

The Parts are Here

Finally the parts are starting to come in.The pressure housing was originally planned to be made from Delrin, but after talking to our manufacturer we decided to have it made of High Density Polyethylene (PE). Especially the tube itself is much easier to purchase (it is stocked in large quantities as sewer pipes) and it is very sea-water resistant.


And it looks good !. The shining black tube and solid endcaps make a great pressure housing.
The frame is made of Stainless Steel, grade 316. It are basically four M8 threads kept together by three rings.
Unfortunately the stainless steel looks a bit 'industrial'. Weldings have a different colour and the rings still have the  original material marks. A few layers of steel coating make it look much better...