Why does water hardness need to be measured precisely?

In many areas of water treatment, simple limit value monitoring is not sufficient. If you want to operate a water softener or reverse osmosis system economically and safely, you need exact water hardness measurements – not just a good/bad statement. Only with a quantitative measured value can trends be identified, system performance assessed and regeneration cycles optimized.

A gradual increase in residual hardness indicates a decreasing capacity of the ion exchanger – long before a breakthrough occurs. Similarly, the retention value of the membranes in a reverse osmosis system can only be reliably assessed if the permeate and feed hardness are quantitatively known. Precise measurement enables predictive maintenance and avoids unplanned downtime.

What is the SYCON 2702?

The SYCON 2702 from RLS Wacon is a fully automatic online titration device for the quantitative measurement of total hardness or carbonate hardness (acid capacity KS 4.3) in process and industrial water. In contrast to the SYCON 2602, which only provides a limit value statement, the SYCON 2702 determines the exact hardness value within the selected measuring range for each analysis. In addition, the device monitors a freely programmable limit value and signals whether it is exceeded or not via potential-free relay outputs.

The SYCON 2702 has an analog current interface (0-20 mA or 4-20 mA) that can output the current measured value or the device status to a PLC or building management system. This makes it ideal for integration into higher-level control and monitoring systems.

How does the SYCON 2702 work?

The SYCON 2702 works according to the principle of the colorimetric titration method. For each analysis, a water sample is automatically fed into the measuring cell. The Reagent (H25 series for total hardness or C25 series for carbonate hardness) is then dosed into the sample step by step. A maintenance-free RGB full color sensor in combination with a white high-power LED evaluates the progressive color change.

The device calculates the exact hardness concentration of the water sample from the dosed amount of indicator. The measured values are shown on the graphic color display and automatically logged on an SD card. In addition, the current measured value can be transmitted to a PLC via the analog 4-20 mA output.

After the measurement, the measuring cell is automatically flushed with line pressure. The color sensor automatically calibrates itself against ambient light, contamination and turbidity during each analysis. An integrated self-diagnosis with plausibility monitoring of the sensor data ensures additional operational safety. If limit values are exceeded, a control measurement can be repeated automatically to avoid false alarms caused by counter-ion effects.

Measuring accuracy and reproducibility

The SYCON 2702 achieves a measuring accuracy of ± 5 % of the measuring range end value of the Reagent used with a repeatability of ± 2.5 %. The analysis time is approx. 3 minutes depending on the degree of hardness and rinsing time. At least 10,000 analyses are possible per 500 ml bottle of Reagent – with a consumption of less than 0.05 ml per analysis for soft water. The measured values can be displayed in six units: °dH, °f, ppm CaCO₃, mmol/l, °e and °Zh.

Advantages of the SYCON 2702

• Exact determination of measured values by titration method

  Quantitative determination of water hardness – not just the limit value, but the actual hardness value

• High measuring accuracy: ± 5 %, repeatability ± 2.5 %

  Reliable results for process monitoring and documentation

• 11 measuring ranges for total hardness (0.012-30 °dH), 4 for carbonate hardness (0.3-22.5 °dH)

  Wide selection of H25 and C25 Reagents for every application

• Analog output 0/4-20 mA for PLC connection

  Measured value or status transmission to building management system, resolution < 100 µA, max. 750 Ω load

• Freely programmable limit value with control measurement

  Automatic repetition when limit values are exceeded to avoid false alarms

• Self-calibrating full color sensor

  No manual calibration – automatic compensation of ambient light, contamination and turbidity

• Very low indicator consumption

  Less than 0.05 ml per analysis – at least 10,000 analyses per 500 ml bottle

• Fast analysis time of approx. 3 minutes

  More frequent measurement intervals possible than with the limit value method

• Simple commissioning using the installation wizard

  Step-by-step guidance on the 9-language graphic display

• Low maintenance effort

  Peristaltic pump technology and automatic rinsing – Maintenance set every 2 years or 30,000 analyses

• SD card for complete measured value logging

  All analysis results with time stamp – can also be used for software updates

Der Beitrag SYCON 2702 erschien zuerst auf RLS Wacon analytics.

Why the SYCON 2802?

In complex water treatment plants, the highest demands are placed on process monitoring. In addition to the precise measurement of water hardness, measured values must be transmitted in real time to higher-level control systems (PLC, SCADA, building management systems). Several limit values enable a differentiated response – for example, a pre-alarm if slightly exceeded and a safety shutdown if critical values are reached.

The SYCON 2802 is the flagship of the SYCON series and combines all the functions of the SYCON 2702 with additional interfaces and control options. It is the first choice for demanding industrial applications where seamless integration into plant automation and complete process documentation are required.

What is the SYCON 2802?

The SYCON 2802 from RLS Wacon is a fully automatic online titration device for the quantitative measurement of total hardness or carbonate hardness (acid capacity KS 4.3) in process and industrial water. Compared to the SYCON 2702, it offers two additional relay outputs (4 in total), an RS485 interface with Modbus RTU protocol, a second digital input and a second, freely programmable limit value.

The second limit value enables differentiated monitoring: for example, limit value 1 can be configured as a pre-alarm and limit value 2 as the main alarm. Alternatively, a water overlap can be monitored with two limit values – with a lower and an upper threshold value for the desired mixing hardness.

How does the SYCON 2802 work?

The measuring principle is identical to the SYCON 2702: colorimetric titration method. A water sample is automatically fed into the measuring cell and the Reagent (H25 series or C25 series) is added step by step. The maintenance-free RGB full color sensor evaluates the color change and calculates the exact hardness concentration. The analysis time is approx. 3 minutes and the indicator consumption is less than 0.05 ml per analysis.

The decisive difference lies in the extended interfaces: Via the RS485 interface with Modbus RTU protocol, measured values and device parameters can be queried directly from a PLC. The analog output (0/4-20 mA) is also available. Four relay outputs offer maximum flexibility for signaling and system control.

Extended functions compared to the SYCON 2702

Advantages of the SYCON 2802

• Exact determination of measured values by titration method

  Quantitative determination of water hardness with ± 5 % accuracy and ± 2.5 % repeatability

• RS485 interface with Modbus RTU

  Direct query of measured values and device parameters by a PLC – seamless integration into the system automation

• Two freely programmable limit values

  Pre-alarm and main alarm or monitoring of a water overlap with lower and upper threshold value

• 4 potential-free relay outputs

  Limit value 1, limit value 2 / indicator level, device fault, analysis active / cooling water valve

• Analog output 0/4-20 mA in addition to Modbus

  Parallel measured value output via analog and digital interface

• 2 digital inputs

  External analysis start, water meter, flow monitor, interval reset, remote reset – flexibly configurable

• Control of an external cooling water valve

  Relay 4 can be configured to automatically control a sample cooler valve

• Self-calibrating full color sensor

  No manual calibration – automatic compensation of ambient light, contamination and turbidity

• Very low indicator consumption

  Less than 0.05 ml per analysis – at least 10,000 analyses per 500 ml bottle

• 9-language graphic display with SD card

  Complete logging, installation wizard, software updates via SD card

Der Beitrag SYCON 2802 erschien zuerst auf RLS Wacon analytics.

Why does water hardness need to be monitored?

In water treatment, reliable monitoring of water hardness is a decisive factor for the protection of downstream systems and processes. Softening systems that work on an ion exchanger basis must be regenerated in good time before hardness-forming ions (calcium and magnesium) break through the exchanger. A breakthrough can lead to scaling in pipes, heat exchangers and steam boilers – with considerable consequential costs due to energy losses, production downtime and costly cleaning.

Limit value monitoring is also essential for the protection of reverse osmosis systems: if the permissible hardness in the feed water is exceeded, there is a risk of irreversible membrane damage due to scaling. The early detection of a hardness breakthrough enables immediate intervention – whether through a demand-controlled regeneration trigger or a safety shutdown of the downstream system.

What is the SYCON 2602?

The SYCON 2602 from RLS Wacon is a fully automatic online analyzer for limit value monitoring of total hardness or carbonate hardness (acid capacity KS 4.3) in process and industrial water. As an entry-level model in the SYCON series, it offers a reliable pass/fail assessment of water quality: the device checks whether the limit value set by the Reagent used is met or exceeded for each analysis and reports the result via up to three potential-free relay outputs.

In addition to the limit value status, the graphic color display also shows information such as analysis interval, indicator supply, device status and error history. The menu navigation is available in nine languages: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Dutch and Danish.

How does the SYCON 2602 work?

The SYCON 2602 works according to the principle of the colorimetric limit value method. For each analysis, a water sample is automatically fed into the measuring cell and the respective Reagent (H25 series for total hardness or C25 series for carbonate hardness) is added. A maintenance-free RGB full color sensor in combination with a white high-power LED evaluates the color change of the sample.

If the hardness of the sample water is below the Reagent limit value, the sample discolors – the result is “GOOD”. If there is no discoloration or it is too weak, the limit value is reported as exceeded (“BAD”) and relay 1 switches. After the measurement, the measuring cell is automatically flushed with line pressure so that no indicator residues affect the next analysis.

The color sensor automatically calibrates itself against ambient light, contamination and turbidity of the water sample during each measurement. An integrated self-diagnosis with plausibility monitoring of the sensor data ensures additional operational reliability. All measurement results are automatically logged on an SD card.

BOB functionality – operation without supervision

The SYCON 2602 automatically monitors the indicator supply and signals via the configurable relay output 3 when the fill level is low. The BOB function (unattended operation) enables continuous, unattended operation for at least 72 hours – with an indicator consumption of less than 0.1 ml per analysis and at least 5,000 analyses per 500 ml bottle, operation is possible for weeks without refilling.

Advantages of the SYCON 2602

• Reliable limit value monitoring for total hardness and carbonate hardness

  Automatic good/bad evaluation with immediate alarm via relay output

• 11 limit values for total hardness, 4 for carbonate hardness

  From 0.02 to 10 °dH (total hardness) and 1 to 3 °dH (carbonate hardness) – suitable for every application

• Self-calibrating full color sensor

  No manual calibration required – automatic compensation for ambient light, contamination and turbidity

• Very low indicator consumption

  Less than 0.1 ml per analysis – at least 5,000 analyses per 500 ml bottle

• Simple commissioning using the installation wizard

  Step-by-step guidance on the graphic display – even without prior knowledge

• 3 potential-free relay outputs

  Limit value alarm, device fault and analysis active / BOB message / indicator fill level – freely configurable

• Low maintenance effort

  Peristaltic pump technology and automatic flushing of the measuring cell with line pressure – Maintenance set every 2 years or 30,000 analyses

• 9-language graphic display

  DE, EN, FR, IT, ES, RU, PL, NL, DK – ideal for international use

• SD card for measured value logging

  Complete documentation of all analysis results with time stamp

• Compact design – wall bracket or housing

  274 × 275 × 129 mm (wall bracket IP43) or 332 × 345 × 190 mm (housing IP54)

Der Beitrag SYCON 2602 erschien zuerst auf RLS Wacon analytics.