Smart Technologies 3130 User manual

DS 025 No 6
Data Harvest Group Ltd.
1 Eden Court, Leighton Buzzard,
Beds, LU7 4FY
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
www.data-harvest.co.uk
Data Harvest. Freely photocopiable for use within the purchasers establishment
Oxygen Adaptor
(Product No. 3130)
Oxygen Electrode
(Product No. 3131)

Oxygen Sensor
2
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................ 2
STEP 1: Preparing the Oxygen electrode ................................................................................. 2
STEP 2: Connecting.................................................................................................................. 3
STEP 3: Setting the range......................................................................................................... 3
STEP 4: Calibration.................................................................................................................. 4
Practical information.................................................................................................................. 4
Storage...................................................................................................................................... 5
Electrolyte.................................................................................................................................. 5
Cleaning and maintenance........................................................................................................ 5
Electrode Specification.............................................................................................................. 6
Theory........................................................................................................................................ 6
Converting dissolved oxygen % saturation data to oxygen in mg/l........................................... 7
Principles of operation............................................................................................................... 7
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................... 8
Investigations............................................................................................................................. 8
Limited warranty ........................................................................................................................ 9
Introduction
The Smart Q Oxygen Adaptor enables an Oxygen electrode to be connected to an
EASYSENSE unit.
The EASYSENSE unit will detect when the Oxygen Adaptor is connected and the range it is
set to measure i.e. either % O2saturation in water or % O2in air. There are four steps to
using the Oxygen Sensor.
STEP 1: Preparing the Oxygen electrode
The object, when preparing the electrode, is to obtain a thin layer of electrolyte under the
membrane covering the anode and cathode without trapping air inside the cell.
Place the membrane cap, with the membrane downward, on a clean surface.
Half fill the cap with the electrolyte supplied. Tap the cap gently to remove any air
bubbles from the electrolyte.
Note: It is important to remove trapped air bubbles because they will feed oxygen to the cathode
and hence cause extra signal current to flow regardless of the oxygen concentration in the sample.
Hold the electrode body vertically (with the cable uppermost) and screw on the
membrane cap. One side of the thread is flat which will allow any surplus electrolyte to
O Ring
Membrane cap
Gold cathode
Silver anode

Oxygen Sensor
3
Socket for
sensor cable
escape. Unscrew slightly to release any pressure and then gently screw the cap on until
it is just tight.
Note: Do not over tighten –the membrane should not be pressurised (bulging away from the
cathode tip), as it will become thin and oversensitive.
STEP 2: Connecting
Hold the Oxygen adaptor housing with the Smart Q label showing on the top.
Connect one end of the sensor cable (supplied with the EASYSENSE unit)) into the
shaped socket on the adaptor with the locating arrow on the cable facing upwards.
Connect the other end of the sensor cable to the input socket on the EASYSENSE unit.
Connect the Oxygen electrode into the socket at the other end of the Oxygen Adaptor
(with the locating arrow facing upwards).
The EASYSENSE unit will detect that the Oxygen adaptor is connected and display
values using the currently selected range i.e. %O2 (in air) or %Sat (in water). If the
range is not suitable for your investigation, set to the correct range (see below).
Leave the adaptor and electrode connected for at least 30 minutes (preferably 1 hour)
to polarise and then calibrate (see page 4) before use.
Note: The electrode must be polarised to eliminate any residual oxygen that may be present in
the membrane cap - the reading will initially be large and then gradually fall to a stable level
The assembled electrode must stay connected to an EASYSENSE unit to keep it polarised. If
disconnected, reconnect for 10 minutes before use.
STEP 3: Setting the range
The Oxygen sensor can be used to measure either oxygen in the air (0 –25 %O2) or in
water (0 –125 %Sat). If the currently selected range is not suitable for your investigation the
next step is to alter the selected range.
To alter the range in the EasySense software:
1. Select EasyLog from the Home screen.
2. Select the New recording wizard icon.
3. Click on the sensor’s name, a set sensor range window will
open. Select the required range, then OK.
4. Select Finish to exit the wizard.
Or
1. From the Home screen select Sensor Config from the Settings menu.
2. Select the Oxygen sensor from the list and click on the Change Range button.
Oxygen electrode with locating arrow
facing upwards
Calibration knob

Oxygen Sensor
4
3. The current range will be highlighted. Select the required range and click on OK. Close
Sensor Config.
The range setting will be retained until changed by the user. With some EASYSENSE units it is
possible to change the range from the unit. Please refer to the EASYSENSE unit’s user manual.
STEP 4: Calibration
Once the correct range has been selected then calibrate the electrode.
To calibrate for use in a Gas e.g. air
a. The range of the Sensor should be set to measure oxygen in the air, 0 –25 (%O2).
b. After the Oxygen electrode has been polarised for at least 30 minutes, hold it in the air
and display the current value*.
c. Turn the knob on the Oxygen Adaptor until a value of 20.9% is shown.
To calibrate for use in an Aqueous solution e.g. water
a. The range of the Sensor should be set to measure
oxygen in water, 0 –125 (%Sat).
b. After the electrode has been polarised for at least 30
minutes, hold the electrode vertically 10 mm above a
sample of stirred distilled water (so the air is saturated
with water vapour) for about 60 seconds. Do not let the
membrane get wet.
c. Display the current value* and then turn the knob on the
Oxygen Adaptor until a value of 100% Sat is shown.
* Note: The current value can be displayed by using Meter
on an EASYSENSE unit or Test Mode (from the Tools
menu) in the EASYSENSE software
Practical information
The electrochemical reaction within the Sensor removes oxygen from the thin layer of
water in contact with the membrane so it is necessary to renew this layer i.e. by moving the
Sensor through the water, or by natural water flow or by means of a suitable stirrer. This
flow must be induced without the entrapment of air bubbles.
Do not touch the membrane or allow it to touch the bottom of a container.
Try to keep the electrode vertical during use.
If the membrane cap is wet, shake gently to remove residual fluid. Do not use a cloth to
dry.
When an electrode is placed in a solution, allow to stabilise before starting to record
measurements.
If you put pH, Oxygen and Conductivity Sensors (electrochemical type) in the same
solution at the same time and connected to the same EASYSENSE unit, they can interfere
with each other’s signals. Keep the sensors as far apart as possible - the distance required
will depend on the conductivity of the solution. If there is still a problem, try connecting the
sensors to different EASYSENSE units or take readings using one sensor at a time.
10 mm
Stirred distilled water
Electrode

Oxygen Sensor
5
The gas permeable membrane isolates the sensor elements from the solution on test but
allows the oxygen to enter. This transport can cause the readings to begin to shift after 4 to
5 hours. If possible, recalibrate every two hours.
Although the electrode part of the sensor is waterproof, its plug and the Smart Q Oxygen
adaptor are not waterproof.
The Oxygen electrode is supplied with 2 membrane caps, 60 ml of electrolyte and a piece
of polishing paper. Further membranes are available as part of the oxygen maintenance
kit, Product No. 6172.
Treat the membrane carefully as it is fragile. The membrane is PTFE so is very resistant to
chemical attack. However it should not be used with wetting agents such as detergents
and soaps as they break down surface tension and allow water to pass through the
membrane. No grease, oil or organics should come into contact with the membrane.
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) - a by-product of anaerobic respiration recognised by its rotten
egg smell - can be a problem as H2S can pass as a gas through the membrane and
attack the silver anode to form Ag2S (a black precipitate). The electrode will not function
with this coating, which can be difficult to remove. See cleaning.
The gas permeable membrane may be deformed by pressure if the electrode is immersed
to any depth, making the results unreliable.
The oxygen permeability of the membrane is temperature dependent. This variation in
permeability is automatically compensated by the temperature compensation thermistor
over the 5 to 45C operating range.
No compensation is provided for the effect of atmospheric pressure. Calibration should
therefore be carried out at the pressure at which measurements are to be made
Storage
After use the membrane cap should be removed and the entire assembly washed and stored dry.
If the electrode is to be used again within a day, store the electrode (still assembled) with the
membrane covered by distilled water.
Electrolyte
The electrolyte is composed of 1.28 mol dm-3 Potassium Chloride (KCl) made up with de-
ionised water.
Note: If your Potassium Chloride has a molecular weight of 74.56 g/mol, a 1.28 mol dm-3solution can be
made up by adding 9.54 g of KCl to 100 cm3of de-ionised water.
Store the electrolyte in cool, dark conditions. Once opened the bottle should be stored in an
upright position.
Cleaning and maintenance
Take care not to over stretch the membrane when assembling the electrode, as it will become
thinner and over sensitive. A membrane that has been damaged in this way will have an
opaque white appearance and should be replaced.
After extensive use, the electrode may become sluggish and erratic due to surface
contamination of the gold cathode. If this occurs, polish the tip of the electrode with the fine
crocus paper provided i.e. lay the crocus paper on a smooth flat surface, hold the electrode
vertically on it and polish gently with a circular motion. Polish only enough to restore to a
bright clean surface.
A net result of the anodes reaction with the electrolyte (KCl) can be a build-up of AgCl on the
silver anode. If the anode is covered in an AgCl deposit (black/brown stains) the electrode will
give unreliable results. This deposit may be removed by:

Oxygen Sensor
6
Make up a paste of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda - NaHCO3) with some water, leave
the tip in the paste for at least an hour then rub with some of the paste until the tip is
clean and shiny. Or
Soaking the electrode tip overnight in a neat ammonia solution.
If neither of these methods works use either the crocus paper supplied or jeweller’s
rouge to remove the stains. Do not scratch the silver, the surface must remain even or
you will create long term stability problems.
Note: Ammonia solution is toxic, corrosive and irritant. Please refer to local safety
regulations for handling instructions.
Do not use silver polishes that could lacquer the anode or solvents which will damage the PVC
body of the electrode.
The cathode and anode area should be thoroughly washed with distilled water after any
maintenance operation.
Electrode Specification
Theory
Oxygen in air:
The atmosphere is made up of approximately 78 per cent nitrogen and 21 per cent oxygen.
The remaining 1% consists of small amounts of argon and other gases. The standard value
for atmospheric oxygen level in dry air (0% humidity) is 20.9%.
As water vapour enters the atmosphere the percentage of gasses, including oxygen, will
reduce very slightly i.e. 25% RH = 20.7% O2, 50% RH = 20.5% O2, 75% RH = 20.3% O2,
100% RH = 20.1% O2. If the relative humidity is known then these values can be substituted
for 20.9% during calibration.
Dissolved oxygen:
The amount of oxygen that a given volume of water can hold is a function of:
1. The temperature of the water
2. Atmospheric pressure
3. The amount of other substances dissolved in the water.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the term commonly used in liquid analytical work for the
measurement of oxygen dissolved in water. Percentage saturation is defined as the
percentage of oxygen dissolved in a 1 litre of water.
Cathode:
Gold
Anode:
Silver
Polarising Voltage:
750 mV
Output:
1 μa nominal in air saturated water
Temperature range:
5 –45C
Temperature Coefficient:
1.5%/C (Membrane)

Oxygen molecules
Water molecules
The partial pressure of oxygen above
and below the water surface is equal

Oxygen Sensor
7
A volume of water in contact with air will absorb air, and hence oxygen, until the pressure the
absorbed oxygen exerts at the air-water interface equals the pressure exerted at the same
interface by the oxygen in the air. At this point, the water is said to be saturated with oxygen.
The amount of oxygen actually absorbed is quite small (about five to ten parts of oxygen to
one million parts of water).
This electrode measures the partial pressure of the oxygen in solution, and not the
concentration.
Oxygen saturation is calculated as the percentage of dissolved O2concentration relative to
that when completely saturated. There is a relationship between water temperature and gas
saturation. Cold water can hold more of any gas, including oxygen, than warmer water.
Warmer water becomes ‘saturated’ more easily with oxygen. As water becomes warmer it can
hold less DO, and the concentration at 100% saturation decreases. Barometric pressure and
dissolved solutes (salinity) will also affect this saturation value.
For example: The DO concentration for 100% air saturated water at sea level is 8.6 mg O2/L
at 25˚C and increases to 14.mg O2/L at 0˚C.
If a substance such as salt is dissolved in the water, the dissolved salt will occupy some of the
‘space’ used by the oxygen molecules and the amount of oxygen the water can hold is
decreased.
For example: A sample of 100% saturated distilled water at 20

C and 1 bar pressure has a
dissolved Oxygen concentration of 9.1 mg/L, whereas a sample of 100% saturated sea water
at the same temperature and pressure would be 7.4 mg/L. The partial pressure and hence the
Sensor output will be the same in each case.
Converting dissolved oxygen % saturation data to oxygen in mg/l
If you have V2.4 or higher of the EasySense software, the % saturation data can be
converted into mg/l using a pre or post-log function. You will need to supply a value for Air
pressure and the Temperature of the aqueous solution. These functions assume the
temperature and pressure are constant and that the effect of dissolved solutes is negligible
e.g. water. 1mg/L = 1 ppm.
Note: Use the Pre-log function to convert the data as logging progresses or the Post-log function to
apply the conversion to data that has already been recorded.
Select Pre or Post-log function from the Tools menu.
Select Preset function, with Oxygen from the first drop-down list and then %Saturation
to mg/l from the second list, Next.
Select the Oxygen Sensor as the Channel, Next.
Enter the value for Air Pressure in kPa and the Temperature of the water in ˚C in the
parameter boxes. Alter the maximum Y-axis limit to a suitable value e.g. 15. Click on Finish.
Principles of operation
The 3131 Oxygen electrode is of the Polarographic (Clark cell) type. The anode and cathode
are immersed in electrolyte and separated from the sample by a semi-permeable membrane.
This membrane permits the oxygen dissolved in the sample to pass through it to the electrode
while preventing liquids and most ions from doing so.
Cathode
Anode
Membrane

Oxygen Sensor
8
The silver anode is held at a potential of +750 mV (the polarising voltage) with respect to the gold
cathode.
Oxygen is reduced at the cathode in the reaction:
O2+ 4H++ 4e-

2H2O
creating a point of zero Oxygen tension (partial pressure) at the cathode.
Provided that diffusion through the membrane is the rate-controlling step in the path of the
Oxygen to the cathode, the signal current that flows from the anode to the cathode is
proportional to the concentration (partial pressure) of Oxygen in the sample. This current is
dependent on temperature because the permeability of the membrane changes with
temperature by typically 1.5% per degree C. The Adaptor converts this tiny current signal into
a voltage, compensates it for the temperature of the sample, and allows the output to be
calibrated and scaled appropriately.
Temperature Compensation
A thermistor is used to compensate the output for changes in the oxygen permeability of the
membrane with temperature over the range 5 to 45

C. The thermistor is integrated internally
in the electrode tip.
Troubleshooting
Output too high to calibrate, slow drift or unstable readings:
Membrane stretched - renew membrane
Sluggish response:
Cathode / anode in need of cleaning, see page 5.
Air bubbles inside membrane - repeat membrane procedure on page 2.
Drifting or odd results:
If other electrochemical sensors (e.g. pH, Conductivity) are present in the same solution,
they could be causing interference as they all make an electrical connection to the
solution. Try removing the other Sensors, moving them as far apart as possible or attach
to different EASYSENSE units.
Electrode not fully polarised - leave set up for 30 to 60 minutes and then recalibrate.
Water too still –move the Sensor through the water or use a suitable stirrer (fish in an
aquarium can make good stirrers!).
Investigations
Monitoring human respiration - demonstrating how oxygen is removed from the air by re-
breathing the same sample of air in a paper bag using different patterns of breathing
Changes in oxygen during photosynthesis and respiration of plants
Consumption of oxygen by yeast during respiration of sugars
Fermentation of yoghurt
The effect of temperature change on the solubility of oxygen
Respiration of animals, insects, geminating seeds
Microbial respiration & growth
Oxygen gas generated during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalyse
Oxidation of metals
On-site testing in streams & ponds –lake survey to evaluate the capability of the water to
support different types of plant and animal life

Oxygen Sensor
9
Monitoring dissolved oxygen concentration resulting from photosynthesis and respiration
in an aquarium containing plants and/or fish
Discovering the change in oxygen level during combustion - using a candle burning in a bell jar
Limited warranty
For information about the terms of the product warranty, see the Data Harvest website at:
https://data-harvest.co.uk/warranty.
Note: Data Harvest products are designed for educational use and are not intended for
use in industrial, medical or commercial applications.
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Legislation
Data Harvest Group Ltd is fully compliant with WEEE legislation and is pleased
to provide a disposal service for any of our products when their life expires.
Simply return them to us clearly identified as ‘life expired’ and we will dispose of
them for you.
Monitoring the pattern
between light and
changes in dissolved
oxygen levels in an
aquarium with
pondweed