Ion-Q+ technology
What it is
Eco Detection’s Ion-Q+ utilises proven Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE) technology. Although new to the water industry, CZE has been adopted to automate the measurement of dissolved inorganics to a unique level of frequency and sensitivity.
What is CZE?
CZE involves the separation of target analytes injected into a capillary. Different ionic species travel at different speeds inside the capillary due to their individual properties, forming distinct groups as they move through.
As each group passes the detector, the number of ions in the group is determined to yield quantitative concentration measurements for each ionic species.
Ion-Q+ multi-parameter technology
Ion-Q+ is essentially an autonomous lab, installed in the field. It takes regularly scheduled samples and tunes the CZE chemistry to achieve a unique level of sensitivity, providing an electropherogram ‘fingerprint’ for each sample.
In addition, Ion-Q+ can be deployed with auxiliary sensors to measure other water qualities, such as turbidity, conductivity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen.
Combined, this enables the Ion-Q+ system to take a full suite of measurements, providing the most comprehensive view of the state of the water through the same integrated data delivery channel.
And it’s quick: it takes less than an hour from taking a sample to having data available in the cloud, providing timely feedback for operations.
Ion-Q+ is a fully autonomous system
Each analysis is calibrated against an internal standard
No biofouling, no drift and no field calibration required
Up to 12 months continuous operation without servicing
Operates anywhere – solar and satellite option – with data available in the cloud within minutes
Direct ionic measurement (no spectral absorption or inferred measurement)
A flexible sampling frequency that can be altered remotely, plus external trigger options for event-based sampling
Take a look inside the unit
Sample preparation
Samples are drawn via a sump or peristatic pump.
The sample is taken through a fine .8 micron nylon filter, indexed each and every time.
Modbus interface, to expand the unit with auxiliary senses, flow meters, rain gauges
Industrial PC and power board.
Analysis
Cation and Anion: Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE) cartridges
Re-agent (fluid) bags, with a known reference standard.
Electrolyte bag to enhance separation of ions.
The boxes are within IP54 rated enclosures with numerous safeguards, including in-built heaters for low temperatures, and 22 sensors across the journey of the fluid which are remotely monitored.
Ion-Q+ is ideally suited for:
Environmental Monitoring
Eco Detection data supports compliance, fertiliser management and environmentally-conscious farming for freshwater river, lake systems and marine environments located near farming and areas of heavy agriculture.
Mining
Continuous monitoring of process and storage water concentrations to provide evidence of compliance and remediation. Real-time contaminant alerts for improved response times to environmental leaching.
Wastewater Treatment & Management
Eco Detection can assist Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) control systems to ensure that treated water is meeting required standards for release into the environment.
Aquaculture & Horticulture
Data to demonstrate nutrient levels are within optimum ranges for irrigation to land and productivity. Avoid elevated levels of nutrients which are toxic to aquatic ecosystems.