1️⃣ System Overview & Applications

What is an Online Turbidity Monitoring System?

An online turbidity monitoring system is an automated system capable of real-time, continuous monitoring of water turbidity changes. It collects data through sensors, transmits it via networks to monitoring centers, enabling 24/7 uninterrupted monitoring and early warning capabilities.

Main Application Scenarios

  • Water Treatment Plants: Inlet, sedimentation tank outlet, filter outlet, finished water monitoring
  • Wastewater Treatment Plants: Inlet, biological treatment tanks, sedimentation tanks, outlet monitoring
  • Industrial Water Systems: Cooling water, process water, discharge water monitoring
  • Environmental Monitoring: Rivers, lakes, reservoirs natural water body monitoring
  • Food & Beverage Industry: Process water, cleaning water, product water monitoring

2️⃣ Core Equipment Selection Guide

Turbidity Sensor Selection Key Points

Choosing the right turbidity sensor is crucial for system success. Consider these main factors:

Technology Type Measurement Range Accuracy Suitable Applications Reference Price
Scattered Light (90°) 0-100 NTU ±2% FS Drinking water, Low turbidity water $1,200-2,200
Transmission-Scattering 0-1000 NTU ±3% FS General wastewater, Industrial water $900-1,800
Surface Scattering 0-10000 NTU ±5% FS High turbidity wastewater, Sludge $1,500-2,700
Laser Turbidity Meter 0-10 NTU ±1% FS Ultrapure water, Pharmaceutical industry $3,000-6,000

Table 1: Technical Parameter Comparison of Different Turbidity Sensor Types

Data Acquisition & Transmission Equipment

  • RTU/PLC: Recommended brands: Siemens, Schneider, Omron
  • Communication Modules: 4G/5G DTU, NB-IoT modules, LoRa gateways
  • Power Systems: Solar power systems (field), UPS uninterruptible power
  • Sampling Systems: Automatic sampling pumps, filters, flow controllers

3️⃣ Network Architecture & Data Transmission

System Network Architecture Diagram

1
Field Layer: Turbidity sensor + Data collector + Preprocessing unit
2
Transmission Layer: 4G/5G/NB-IoT network + Industrial Ethernet + Fiber optic lines
3
Platform Layer: Cloud server + Database + Data processing engine
4
Application Layer: Web monitoring platform + Mobile APP + Dashboard display

Communication Solutions Selection

Solution Recommendations

Urban Areas: Prioritize 4G/5G networks for low cost and rapid deployment
Remote Areas: Consider NB-IoT or satellite communication
Plant Facilities: Can use Industrial Ethernet or fiber optic ring networks

Data Transmission Protocols

  • Modbus RTU/TCP: Common in industrial settings, good compatibility
  • MQTT: Recommended IoT protocol, lightweight, good real-time performance
  • HTTP/HTTPS: Web interface standard, high security
  • OPC UA: Industrial automation standard, rich data models

4️⃣ Installation & Commissioning Steps

Pre-installation Preparation

  1. Site Survey: Determine installation location, power, network conditions
  2. Installation Plan Design: Create installation drawings, determine piping layout
  3. Material Preparation: Prepare sensors, cables, fittings, mounting brackets
  4. Safety Assessment: Evaluate site safety risks, develop safety measures

Installation Steps

①
Install sampling pipeline (ensure no dead zones, stable flow rate)
②
Mount sensor (vertical installation, away from bubbles)
③
Connect electrical wiring (pay attention to waterproofing, lightning protection)
④
Connect sample water and power (check for leaks)

Commissioning Process

  1. Power-on Test: Check power supply, indicator status
  2. Communication Test: Ping test, Modbus address table test
  3. Sensor Calibration: Zero and span calibration using standard solutions
  4. System Integration Test: Data interface testing with SCADA/HMI systems
  5. Trial Operation: 72-hour continuous operation, observe stability

5️⃣ Data Platform Development Solutions

Platform Function Modules

  • Real-time Monitoring: Data refresh rate ≤5 seconds, trend curves support
  • Historical Data: Storage period ≥3 years, multiple query methods
  • Alarm Management: Multi-level alarms (warning, alert, critical)
  • Reporting System: Automatic generation of daily, monthly, annual reports
  • Mobile APP: Real-time push notifications, remote control

Technical Architecture Selection

Solution Type Advantages Disadvantages Suitable Applications
Self-hosted Servers Data security controllable, flexible customization High cost, requires IT maintenance Large water utilities, state-owned enterprises
Cloud Platform (SaaS) Rapid deployment, maintenance-free, elastic scaling Data in cloud, ongoing subscription fees Small-medium enterprises, initial projects
Hybrid Deployment Balances security and cost, good flexibility Complex architecture, high technical requirements Enterprises with special security requirements
Platform Selection Advice

For most enterprises, we recommend using mature Industrial IoT cloud platforms (like ThingsBoard, AWS IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT) which enable rapid monitoring system deployment. Functionality can be expanded gradually based on evolving needs.

6️⃣ Operation Management & Cost Analysis

Operation Management Key Points

  • Daily Inspection: Daily check of data transmission status
  • Regular Maintenance: Monthly sensor cleaning, pipeline inspection
  • Scheduled Calibration: Calibration with standard solutions every 3-6 months
  • Spare Parts Management: Maintain inventory of consumables (pumps, filters, seals)
  • Personnel Training: Regular training for operators and maintenance staff

Common Issues & Solutions

Q: High data fluctuation - what to do?

A: Check sampling stability, presence of bubbles in sensor, vibration at installation site. Implement data smoothing algorithms in software.

Q: Frequent communication interruptions?

A: Check SIM card signal strength, data plan status, device operation. Consider dual-SIM redundancy or local data storage.

🎯 Implementation Recommendations Summary

Phased Implementation Strategy

1. Pilot First: Establish pilot at 1-2 critical points first
2. Evaluation & Validation: Operate for 1 month to verify system stability
3. Optimization & Improvement: Refine solution based on pilot experience
4. Full-scale Deployment: Expand to all monitoring points according to plan

Success Factors

  1. Thorough Preliminary Planning: Clear requirements, appropriate equipment and technical approach selection
  2. Standardized Installation & Commissioning: Strict adherence to procedures, proper testing documentation
  3. Effective Operation Management: Establish comprehensive maintenance procedures and training systems
  4. Continuous Improvement Emphasis: Ongoing system optimization based on operational performance

Building an online turbidity monitoring system is a systematic engineering project requiring coordination across equipment, installation, software, and operations. We recommend working with experienced system integrators and considering long-term operational requirements from the project outset.