Pyxis SP-910 User manual

SP-910 Portable Water Analyzer
Operation Manual
Rev.C
Pyxis Lab, Inc 2017
All Rights Reserved

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Pyxis Lab, Inc
120 Jeffrey Ave.
Holliston, MA 01746
USA
www.pyxis-lab.com
[e-mail]

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1Contents
General Description...............................................................................................6
1.1 Pyxis Major Features..............................................................................................7
1.2 Unpackaging the Instrument .................................................................................7
1.3 Standard Accessories .............................................................................................8
1.4 Optional Accessories..............................................................................................8
1.5 Sample Vial Compartment .....................................................................................8
1.6 Light Shield Cover...................................................................................................8
2 Start The SP-910..........................................................................................10
2.1 Battery Installation...............................................................................................10
2.2 Description of the Navigational Control Pad .......................................................10
2.3 Turning on the SP-910..........................................................................................11
2.4Main Page.............................................................................................................11
2.5 Turning Off The SP-910 ........................................................................................11
2.6 The SP-910 Auto Power Off..................................................................................12
2.7 Auto LCD Power Saving........................................................................................12
3 PTSA Measurement.....................................................................................13
3.1 PTSA Measurement..............................................................................................13
3.2 PTSA calibration ...................................................................................................14
4 Fluorescein Measurement............................................................................15
4.1 Fluorescein Measurement ...................................................................................15
4.2 Fluorescein calibration (Firmware version before v1.0r295)...............................15
4.3 Fluorescein calibration (Firmware version v1.0r295 and after) ..........................16
5 Colorimetric Measurement ...........................................................................18
5.1 Supported Methods .............................................................................................18
5.2 Select a Method ...................................................................................................20
5.3 Single Timing Step Method ..................................................................................20
5.4 Single-Vial Procedure ...........................................................................................21

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5.5 Two-Vial Methods ................................................................................................22
5.6 Multiple Timing Steps Method.............................................................................22
5.7 Advanced Methods ..............................................................................................23
5.8 Method Setup and Calibration.............................................................................25
6Turbidity Measurement ............................................................................................27
6.1 Operation .............................................................................................................27
6.2 Turbidity Calibration.............................................................................................27
7Absorbance Measurement ......................................................................................30
8Update SP-910 firmware via Bluetooth Interface.................................................31
8.1 Download and Install the Latest Nebula Software...............................................31
8.2 Turn on SP-910 .....................................................................................................32
8.3 Connect Nebula to the SP-910 .............................................................................32
9 Upgrade the ChemTreat Product List...........................................................33
10 Calibrate a ST-500 with SP-910...................................................................34
11 Maintenance.................................................................................................37
12 Troubleshooting............................................................................................38
13 Appendix A...................................................................................................39

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Figures
Figure 1 Insert the Sample Vial..............................................................................................7
Figure 2 Open and Close the Light Shield Cover ...................................................................9
Figure 3 Replace Batteries...................................................................................................10
Figure 4 Main Menu ............................................................................................................11
Figure 5 PTSA Measurement...............................................................................................13
Figure 6 Product Selection ..................................................................................................13
Figure 7 PTSA Calibration ....................................................................................................14
Figure 8 Fluorescein Measurement.....................................................................................15
Figure 9 Fluorescein Calibration..........................................................................................16
Figure 10 Low Range Fluorescein Calibration .....................................................................17
Figure 11 Middle Range Fluorescein Calibration.................................................................17
Figure 12 High Range Fluorescein Calibration.....................................................................17
Figure 13 Method Selection ................................................................................................20
Figure 14 Single Timer Method ...........................................................................................21
Figure 15 Concentration as a Function of Time ..................................................................21
Figure 16 Multiple Timer Method.......................................................................................23
Figure 17 Method Form Selection.......................................................................................25
Figure 18 Method Unit Selection ........................................................................................26
Figure 19 Slope Calibration .................................................................................................26
Figure 20 Turbidity Calibration-1 ........................................................................................28
Figure 21 Low Range Calibration.........................................................................................28
Figure 22 High Range Calibration........................................................................................29
Figure 23 Absorbance Measurement..................................................................................30
Figure 24 Nebula Setup .......................................................................................................31
Figure 25 Bluetooth Adapter Driver Setup..........................................................................31
Figure 26 Bootloader Menu ................................................................................................32
Figure 27 Bluetooth Ready..................................................................................................32
Figure 28 Scan Inline Device................................................................................................34
Figure 28 Pair Inline Device.................................................................................................34
Figure 29 Read Inline Device ...............................................................................................35
Figure 30 SP-910 Measure Sample Water...........................................................................35
Figure 31 Calibration Success..............................................................................................35
Figure 32 Inline Device Diagnosis Data ...............................................................................36
Figure 33 Cleanliness Check ................................................................................................36
Figure 34 Probe is Fouled....................................................................................................36

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Tables
Table 1 Feature Groups on Main Menu...............................................................11
Table 2 List of Supported Colorimetric Methods.................................................18
Table 3 Wavelength of each channel...................................................................30
Table 4 Contact Information................................................................................38

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Trademarks and Patents
Hach ® is a registered trademark of the Hach Company, Loveland, CO USA
Confidentiality
The information contained in this manual may be confidential and proprietary and is the property of
Pyxis Lab. Information disclosed herein shall not be used to manufacture, construct, or otherwise
reproduce the goods disclosed herein. The information disclosed herein shall not be disclosed to
others or made public in any manner without the express written consent of Pyxis Lab.
Standard Limited Warranty
Pyxis Lab warrants its products for defects in materials and workmanship. Pyxis Lab will, at its
option, repair or replace instrument components that prove to be defective with new or
remanufactured components (i.e., equivalent to new). The warranty set forth is exclusive and no
other warranty, whether written or oral, is expressed or implied.
Warranty Term
The Pyxis warranty term is thirteen (13) months ex-works. In no event shall the standard limited
warranty coverage extend beyond thirteen (13) months from original shipment date.
Warranty Service
Damaged or dysfunctional instruments may be returned to Pyxis for repair or replacement. In some
instances, replacement instruments may be available for short duration loan or lease.
Pyxis warrants that any labor services provided shall conform to the reasonable standards of
technical competency and performance effective at the time of delivery. All service interventions are
to be reviewed and authorized as correct and complete at the completion of the service by a
customer representative, or designate. Pyxis warrants these services for 30 days after the
authorization and will correct any qualifying deficiency in labor provided that the labor service
deficiency is exactly related to the originating event. No other remedy, other than the provision of
labor services, may be applicable.
Repair components (parts and materials), but not consumables, provided in the course of a repair, or
purchased individually, are warranted for 90 days ex-works for materials and workmanship. In no
event will the incorporation of a warranted repair component into an instrument extend the whole
instrument’s warranty beyond its original term.
Shipping
A Repair Authorization Number (RA) must be obtained from the Technical Support (service@pyxis-
lab.com) before any product can be returned to the factory. Pyxis will pay freight charges to ship
replacement or repaired products to the customer. The customer shall pay freight charges for
returning products to Pyxis. Any product returned to the factory without an RA number will be
returned to the customer.

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General Description
Specification1
•Colorimeter Wavelength: 365/420/455/525/560/570/630 nm
•Turbidity Excitation: White/Infrared LED/90 degree scattering
•Fluorescence Excitation Wavelength: 365/460 nm LED
•Fluorescence Emission Wavelength: 410/520 nm
•Wavelength Accuracy: ±1 nm
•Absorbance Reproducibility: 0.005 au (0 - 1.0 au) (3 sigma)
•Absorbance Linearity Range: 0 - 1.0 au
•PTSA Reproducibility: 1 ppb PTSA (3 sigma)
•PTSA Detection Limit: 1 ppb
•PTSA Range: 0 - 300 ppb
•Fluorescein Reproducibility: 0.2 ppb or 2% of the value
•Fluorescein Detection Limit: 0.1 ppb
•Fluorescein Range: 600 ppb
•Turbidity Reproducibility: 1 NTU (3 sigma)
•Turbidity Detection Limit: 1 NTU
•Turbidity Range: 1 - 200 NTU
•Battery: 4 AA alkaline
•Typical Battery Life: 3 months
•Display: Graphical LCD 192x128 pixels,
visible under direct sunlight
•Instrument Dimension: L 265mm W 88mm H 62mm
•Instrument Weight: 600 g without batteries
•Storage Temperature Range: 0 - 140°F (-18 - 60°C )
•Operation Temperature Range: 40 - 120 °F (4 - 49°C )
•Humidity: 85% at 106 °F (41 °C )
•Environmental: IP67, dustproof and waterproof
Note:
1. Specifications are subject to change without notice for continuous development.
2. The fluorescein range in earlier versions of the SP-910 may be only up to 20 ppb.
To extend the upper limit to 600 ppb, please contact Pyxis customer support at
[e-mail].

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1.1 Pyxis Major Features
The SP-910 analyzer shown in Figure 1 is a combination of photometer and
fluorometer. It provides colorimetric measurements at 7 LED wavelengths, fluorometric
measurement of fluorescent tracer PTSA and fluorescein, and nephelometric turbidity
measurement using white LED and infrared LED as excitation sources. The SP-910 is
pre-calibrated for colorimetric measurements of analyses common in industrial water
treatment and other water testing applications in the laboratory or in the field, such as
measuring chlorine, phosphate, iron, and copper. Main features include:
The SP-910 is pre-calibrated for measuring PTSA (pyrenetetrasulfonic acid) in the
range of 0 to 300 ppb. The fluorescence PTSA measurement is automatically
compensated for sample color and turbidity interference.
The SP-910 is pre-calibrated for measuring fluorescein in the range of 0 to 600
ppb.
The SP-910 is pre-calibrated for measuring turbidity in the range of 0 to 200 NTU.
Automatically select the primary wavelength according to the method selected and
switches to the secondary wavelength to extend the primary measurement range.
Figure 1 Insert the Sample Vial
Display a concentration-time profile curve in a colorimetric measurement. The user
can terminate the timing process and take a reading if the displayed concentration
reaches a plateau before completing the predefined time period.
The user can update the calibration parameter of any pre-calibrated colorimetric
method by testing a standard solution first and then following a setup procedure to
update the calibration parameters.
1.2 Unpackaging the Instrument
Remove the instrument and accessories from the shipping container and inspect each
item for any damage that may have occurred during shipping. Verify that all items
Navigational Control Pad
LCD
Sample Vial Compartment
Light Shield Cover
Sample Vial

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listed on the packing slip are included. If any items are missing or damaged, please
contact Pyxis Customer Service at [e-mail].
1.3 Standard Accessories
•Sample Vials - two 10 ml, round, 0.78 inch (20 mm) pathlength, glass vials,
which can be used for all measurements including turbidity and fluorescence
measurements
•4 AA alkaline batteries
•Instrument Manual, also available from www.pyxis-lab.com
1.4 Optional Accessories
•25 ml sample vial
•100 ppb PTSA standard in a 500 ml brown plastic bottle
•50, 250,and 500 ppb fluorescein standards in a 500 ml brown plastic bottle
1.5 Sample Vial Compartment
The sample vial compartment is shown in Figure 1, along with a 10-ml sample vial.
When the sample vial is inserted into the sample vial compartment, the triangular mark
on the sample vial should be aligned approximately with the 6 o’clock position of the
sample vial compartment or any position consistently.
The sample vial compartment should be kept clean. A small amount foreign material
could significantly affect turbidity and fluorescence measurement results. Use a soft
cloth or lint free paper tissue to clean sample vial compartment periodically. Remove
debris, scale, and deposit promptly.
1.6 Light Shield Cover
The light shield cover is shown in Figure 2. The light shield cover can be conveniently
slid between the open and closed positions. The light shield cover is held firmly at the
rest positions by permanent magnets.
The light shield cover should be in the closed position during storage, transportation,
and measurements, especially during the turbidity and fluorescence measurements.
When turned on, The SP-910 carries out self-diagnosis including checking the
performance of a variety of optical devices. The light shield door shall be at the closed
position to shield interference from ambient light during self-diagnosis.
Care should be taken to avoid water or debris being trapped in the track of the light
shield door.

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Figure 2 Open and Close the Light Shield Cover
Warning
Magnetic sensitive devices, including but not limited to, credit cards, watches, hard
disks, should be keep at a distance of at least 2 inches from the Light Shield Door to
avoid possible damage and/or loss of information recorded.

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2Start The SP-910
2.1 Battery Installation
The SP-910 is powered by four AA-size alkaline batteries. Do not use rechargeable
nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries or any AA-size lithium batteries. A set of batteries
typically lasts for three months. When the batteries capacity is low, The SP-910 will
prompt a LOW BATTERY warning. Replace all four batteries to resume operation of
the SP-910 after the battery warning.
The SP-910 battery compartment, shown in Figure 3, is on the back side of the
instrument. Insert a small pad underneath the screen area to make the back surface
level when the instrument is turned upside down. Install batteries as followings:
1. Remove the battery compartment cover by loosening four screws.
2. Insert four batteries into the battery holder as shown in Figure 3. Make sure the
positive battery polarity marker (+) is aligned with the positive marker (+) on the
battery holder.
3. Replace the battery compartment cover, making sure that the sealing O-ring is
lying flat on the battery holder and tighten the four screws.
Figure 3 Replace Batteries
2.2 Description of the Navigational Control Pad
The SP-910 navigational control pad consists of five keys as shown in Figure 1. The
left, right, up, and down keys are navigational keys that are used to select an icon, a
button, or other items in various pages. The center key is the OK key. Press the OK
key on a selected item to launch the action associated with the selected item. The OK

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key is also used to accept the current selection, like the return key in a computer
keyboard.
2.3 Turning on the SP-910
After new batteries installation, the SP-910 will not be automatically turned on. To turn
on SP-910, press the OK key, and release the OK key when the LCD is lit.
You can navigate the main page menu and launch an operation by pressing on an
icon. If battery voltage is too low for the instrument to work properly, the SP-910 will
show a low battery warning message when it is being turned on. If this happens,
replace all four batteries.
2.4 Main Page
The SP-910 provides intuitive icon driven user operations. On the main page, eight
major feature groups are illustrated as below:
Figure 4 Main Menu
A brief description of each feature group is given in Table 1. Detailed operation instructions
can be found in the following chapters.
Table 1 Feature Groups on Main Menu
No.
Title
Description
1
M-P
PTSA measurement
2
M-F
Fluorescein measurement
3
COLOR
Colorimetric measurement methods
4
TURB
Turbidity measurement
5
Power
Turn off SP-910
6
ABSB
Absorbance measurement
7
CAL
Calibration routines
8
SYS
System setup and information
2.5 Turning Off The SP-910
2016/07/19 08:00
Power
M-F TURB
ABSB SYS
M-P
CAL
COLOR

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Turn the SP-910 off by navigating to Power icon and press the OK key. Alternatively,
you can turn off the SP-910 by pressing OK key for 5 seconds in any menu.
2.6 The SP-910 Auto Power Off
The SP-910 automatically turns itself off with no-key activity for a given period, except
for during a measurement. The auto power-off time can be set in SYS->System Set.
Pressing OK key will wake up the instrument, and the SP-910 will return to the original
page if it has any measurement data.
2.7 Auto LCD Power Saving
During a colorimetric method measurement, The SP-910 automatically turns LCD
backlight off with no-key activity. The auto LCD power-off time can be set in
SYS->System Set. Pressing any key will turn on the LCD backlight. Under normal
ambient lighting condition, icons and other contents shown on the LCD screen are
readable without backlight being on.

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3PTSA Measurement
3.1 PTSA Measurement
1. Fill the 10 ml sample vial with water sample and tightly cap the sample vial.
2. Place the sample vial into the sample vial compartment and slide the light shield
cover to the closed position.
3. Press the M-P icon on the main page. The SP-910 will start to measure the PTSA
concentration.
4. The SP-910 will display the ppm concentration of the last selected ChemTreat
cooling product.
5. Press the OK key on the selected character, a dropdown list containing possible
selectable characters will be shown below the product name. Use the down, right
or left key to locate a character and press the OK key to select (Figure 6). Repeat
this action until all characters in the target product name are being selected. Use
the “OK” button on the screen to accept the product name. The displayed ppm
value will be updated according to the calibration parameters of the selected
product.
Figure 5 PTSA Measurement
Figure 6 Product Selection
If CL01 is selected, the displayed value is ppb PTSA concentration without PTSA-to-
Product conversion.

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The SP-910 with earlier versions of firmware may show mistakenly the PTSA value
in ppm after selecting CL01. Regardless the software version and the unit shown on
the right, the value after selecting CL01 is always ppb PTSA.
On-screen key instructions in the earlier version of firmware are text based and
may be different from those shown in figure 5.
During the fluorescence measurement to determine the PTSA concentration, the SP-
910 checks the sample turbidity. If the sample turbidity value detected is greater than
40 NTU, The SP-910 will display a warning. For best results, the sample should be
filtered if turbidity exceeds 40 NTU.
Sample color causes a lower PTSA concentration to be measured. The SP-910
automatically compensates for sample color. If the sample color is too intense, The
SP-910 will display a warning.
For best results, ensure that the sample vial is clean. Wipe off water on the outside
wall of the sample vial using a lint-free tissue paper. Fill the sample vial to the 10 ml
mark. If the sample contains air bubbles, tap the sample vial gently to remove the
bubbles before placing the sample vial to the sample vial compartment.
3.2 PTSA calibration
Deionized water (DI) as the blank calibration solution and the 100 ppb PTSA calibration
standard solution are needed.
1. Press the CAL on the main page, then choose the M-P and press the OK key to
launch the PTSA calibration page.
2. Follow the message prompts, fill the sample vial with DI blank and place the
sample vial into the sample vial compartment and press the OK key.
3. Follow the message prompts, use the upper and down key to switch between 100
ppb and 200 ppb standard
4. Fill the sample vial with the 100 ppb or 200 ppb standard and place the sample vial
into the sample vial compartment and press the OK key to start calibration
Figure 7 PTSA Calibration

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If calibration fails, the followings should be checked:
•The DI blank is being contaminated.
•The 100 ppb PTSA standard solution is decayed or being contaminated.
•The light shield cover is not in the closed position.
•The sample vial compartment is blocked with debris, water, or other materials.
The 100 ppb standard solution shall be stored in a brown or black opaque bottle.
Exposing the PTSA standard to light will cause the standard losing the PTSA
concentration. Many substances, such as quaternary amine cause a negative
interference. Many other substances such as laundry detergents that contain optical
brightener will cause a significant positive interference.
4Fluorescein Measurement
4.1 Fluorescein Measurement
1. Fill the 10 ml sample vial with the test solution and tightly cap the sample vial.
2. Place the sample vial into the sample vial compartment and slide the light shield
cover to the closed position.
3. Press the M-F on the main page, then press the OK button, the SP-910 will start to
measure the fluorescein concentration in the sample.
4. The SP-910 will display the fluorescein concentration in ppb.
Figure 8 Fluorescein Measurement
For best results, ensure that the sample vial is clean. Wipe off water on the outside
wall of the sample vial using a lint-free tissue paper. Fill the sample vial to the 10 ml
mark. If the sample contains air bubbles, tap the sample vial gently to remove the
bubbles before placing the sample vial to the sample vial compartment.
4.2 Fluorescein calibration (Firmware version before v1.0r295)
Deionized water (DI) as the blank calibration solution and the 20 ppb fluorescein
calibration standard solution are needed.

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1. Press the CAL on the main page, then choose Fluorescein and press the OK key
to launch the fluorescein calibration page.
2. Follow the message prompts, insert the DI blank into the sample vial compartment
and press the OK key.
3. Follow the message prompts, and insert the 20 ppb standard into the sample vial
compartment and press the OK key.
4. Press any key to return to the main page.
Figure 9 Fluorescein Calibration
If calibration fails, the followings should be checked:
•The DI blank is being contaminated.
•The 20 ppb fluorescein standard solution is decayed or being contaminated.
•The light shield cover is not in the closing position.
•The sample vial compartment is blocked with debris, water, or other materials.
4.3 Fluorescein calibration (Firmware version v1.0r295 and after)
Deionized water (DI) as the blank calibration solution, the 50 ppb fluorescein, the 250
ppb fluorescein and the 500 fluorescein calibration standard solutions are needed.
1. Press the CAL on the main page, then choose Fluorescein and press the OK key
to launch the fluorescein calibration page.
2. Follow the message prompts, insert the DI blank into the sample vial compartment
and press the OK key.
3. Insert the 50 ppb standard into the sample vial compartment and press the OK key
to complete the low range calibration.
4. Press the OK key to proceed with middle range calibration or press any other keys
to return to main page.
5. Insert the 250 ppb standard into the sample vial compartment and press the OK
key to complete the middle range calibration.
6. Press the OK key to start proceed with high range calibration or press any other
keys to return to main page.
7. Insert the 500 ppb standard into the sample vial compartment and press the OK
key to complete the high range calibration.
2016/07/19 08:00
M-F Calibration
Insert 0.0 ppb standard!
7730
Insert 20.0 ppb standard!
Click OK key to continue!
Click up and down key to change!

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The middle range and high range calibrations from steps 4 to 8 are optional if only low
range fluorescein measurement is intended.
Figure 10 Low Range Fluorescein Calibration
Figure 11 Middle Range Fluorescein Calibration
Figure 12 High Range Fluorescein Calibration
The standard solutions shall be stored in a brown or black opaque bottle. Exposing the
fluorescein standard to light will cause the standard losing the fluorescein
concentration. Many substances, such as quaternary amine cause a negative
interference. Many other substances such laundry detergents that contain optical
brightener will cause a significant positive interference.

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5Colorimetric Measurement
5.1 Supported Methods
A wide range of colorimetric methods is supported by the SP-910 analyzer and the
number of them keeps increasing with continuous development of Pyxis. See
corresponding Hach® methods in Appendix A.
Table 2 List of Supported Colorimetric Methods
Abbreviated
Method
Name
Method Name
Description
Range
CL-F
F-Chlorine
Free chlorine, DPD method
2.2 ppm
CL-T
T-Chlorine
Total chlorine, DPD method
2.2 ppm
CL2H
CL2High
High range, DPD method
6.0ppm
CuBi
Cu_Bicinch
Bicinchoninate, EPA approved
for reporting wastewater
analysis
5.0 ppm
DEHA
DEHA
Method for N,N-
diethylhydroxylamine and other
oxygen scavengers
0.5 ppm
Ca
Ca
Calmagite method for calcium
4.00 ppm as
CaCO3
Mg
Mg
Calmagite method for
magnesium
4.00 ppm as
CaCO3
FePh
Fe_phenanth
Total iron using 1,10-
phenanthroline, USEPA
approved for reporting
wasterwater analysis
3.00 ppm
FeZi
FeZine
FerroZine method
1.300 ppm
FeTp
FeTptz
Total iron using TPTZ
1.80 ppm
MoHR
Mo_HighRange
High range molybdate
40.0 ppm
MoLR
Mo_LowRange
Low range molybdate using
ternary complex method
3.0 ppm
NO2H
NO2H
High range nitrite, ferrous
sulfate method
150 ppm as
NO2
NO2L
NO2L
Low range nitrite, diazotization
method, USEPA approved for
reporting wastewater and
drinking water analysis
0.350 ppm
as NO2
PMoV
OPO4-MoV
Reactive phosphate using
molybdovanadate method
30.0 ppm as
PO4
OPO4
OPO4
Reactive phosphate using
ascorbic acid molybdenum blue
method, USEPA accepted for
wastewater analysis
2.5 ppm as
PO4