Hach Intellical ISEF121 Fluoride Ion-Selective Electrode User Manual

Section 1: Product Overview

The Intellical ISEF121 series probes are digital, combination ion-selective electrodes (ISE) designed to measure the concentration of fluoride in wastewater, drinking water, and general water samples. These probes feature a built-in temperature sensor, a non-refillable gel reference, and non-replaceable membranes.

Figure 1: Probe Overview

The probe consists of the following components:

• 1: Sensing element
• 2: Reference junction
• 3: Sensor protection cap
• 4: Cable

Section 2: Specifications

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Section 3: Safety Information

3.1 Intended Use

The Intellical probes are intended for use by individuals who measure water quality parameters in the laboratory. The Intellical probes do not treat or alter water.

3.2 Use of Hazard Information

DANGER: Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or moderate injury.

NOTICE: Indicates a situation which, if not avoided, may cause damage to the instrument. Information that requires special emphasis.

3.3 Precautionary Labels

Read all labels and tags attached to the instrument. Personal injury or damage to the instrument could occur if not observed. A symbol on the instrument is referenced in the manual with a precautionary statement.

WEEE Symbol: Electrical equipment marked with this symbol may not be disposed of in European domestic or public disposal systems. Return old or end-of-life equipment to the manufacturer for disposal at no charge to the user.

3.4 Product Hazards

CAUTION: Chemical exposure hazard. Obey laboratory safety procedures and wear all of the personal protective equipment appropriate to the chemicals that are handled. Refer to the current safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS) for safety protocols.

CAUTION: Chemical exposure hazard. Dispose of chemicals and wastes in accordance with local, regional and national regulations.

Section 4: Preparation for Use

Prepare the probe for calibration and measurement as follows:

1. Remove the sensor protection cap from the probe.
2. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
3. Condition the probe before use. Soak the probe in approximately 25 mL of the lowest concentration standard solution used for calibration for 30 to 60 minutes. Do not add the ISA to the standard solution.
   Note: Condition the probe each day for 15 to 30 minutes or for 30 to 60 minutes after long-term storage.
4. Make sure that the meter has the correct date and time settings. The service-life time stamp in the probe comes from the date and time settings in the meter.
   Note: Some meters automatically open the date and time settings when the meter starts for the first time, or after battery replacement.
5. Connect the probe to the meter.

Section 5: Calibration

The following procedure is applicable to meters that can connect to Intellical ISE probes. Refer to the applicable meter documentation for meter operation and probe-specific settings.

5.1 Calibration Notes

Read the notes that follow before calibration:

• Use plastic containers during calibration and measurements. Glass containers can cause inaccurate measurements.
• Measure the standard solutions from lowest to highest concentration for best results.
• Keep all solutions (standard solutions and samples) at the same temperature (± 2 °C (± 3.6 °F)) for best results.
• Stir the standards and samples at a slow and constant rate to prevent the formation of a vortex.
• Use the default calibration options or change the options in the probe settings menu.
• Use the single display mode for calibration when more than one probe is connected to the meter (if applicable).
• Calibrate the probes and verify the calibration regularly for best results. Use the meter to set calibration reminders.
• The calibration data is stored in the probe. When a calibrated probe is connected to a different meter with the same calibration options, a new calibration is not necessary.
• Air bubbles below the sensor when in solution can cause a slow response or error in the calibration. Make sure to remove air bubbles during calibration.

5.2 Calibration Procedure

Step 1: Navigate to the calibrate menu. Select the probe, if applicable. The display shows the standard solutions to use for calibration.

Step 2: Add 25 mL of each standard solution to plastic beakers.

Step 3: Add one Fluoride Ionic Strength Adjustor (ISA) Powder Pillow to each 25 mL of standard solution.
Note: As an alternative, add 5 mL of Fluoride ISA Solution.

Step 4: Add a stir bar to the first standard solution. Place the standard solution on an electromagnetic stirrer. Stir at a moderate rate.

Step 5: Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

Step 6: Immerse the probe in the standard solution with the sensor fully submerged. Do not place the probe on the bottom or sides of the beaker.

Step 7: Shake the probe from side to side to remove air bubbles.

Step 8: Stir for 30 to 60 seconds, then read the fluoride concentration of the standard solution.

Step 9: Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the remaining standard solutions.

Step 10: Save the calibration.

Section 6: Sample Measurement

The following procedure is applicable to meters that can connect to Intellical ISE probes. Refer to the applicable meter documentation for meter operation and probe-specific settings.

6.1 Sample Measurement Notes

Read the notes that follow before sample measurements:

• Use plastic containers during calibration and measurements. Glass containers can cause inaccurate measurements.
• Rinse the probe with deionized water and dry with a lint-free cloth between measurements to prevent contamination.
• If the stabilization time is long, try a different stir rate and make sure to condition the probe.
• Keep all solutions (standard solutions and samples) at the same temperature (± 2 °C (± 3.6 °F)) for best results.
• If complete traceability is necessary, enter a sample ID and operator ID before measurement. Refer to the meter manual for instructions.
• Stir the standards and samples at a slow and constant rate to prevent the formation of a vortex.
• The meter automatically saves the measurement data when the user manually reads each data point and when the meter is set to read at regular intervals. The user must manually save each data point when the meter is set to read continuously.
• Air bubbles below the sensor can cause a slow response or error in the measurement. Make sure to remove air bubbles before and during measurements.

6.2 Sample Measurement Procedure

Step 1: Pour 25 mL of fresh sample into a 50-mL plastic beaker.

Step 2: Add one Fluoride Ionic Strength Adjustor (ISA) Powder Pillow.
Note: As an alternative, add 5 mL of Fluoride ISA Solution.

Step 3: Add a stir bar. Place the beaker on an electromagnetic stirrer. Stir at a moderate rate.

Step 4: Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

Step 5: Immerse the probe in the sample with the sensor fully in the sample. Do not place the probe on the bottom or sides of the beaker.

Step 6: Shake the probe from side to side to refresh the reference junction and remove air bubbles.

Step 7: Stir for 30 to 60 seconds, then read the fluoride concentration of the sample. The display shows the value when the reading is stable.

6.3 Low-Level Measurements

Use the guidelines that follow for measurements at low concentrations (<1 mg/L F^-):

• Use plastic containers during calibration and measurements. Glass containers can cause inaccurate measurements.
• Clean the probe regularly as specified in Maintenance on page 10.
• Soak the probe in the lowest concentration standard solution for 1 hour maximum before calibration and measurement.
• Use the meter to set the stability criteria for the probe to a low value.
• Stir the standards and samples at a slow and steady rate to prevent the formation of a vortex.
• Use a dilute ionic strength adjustor (ISA) solution for calibration and measurements:
  
  1. Dissolve the contents of one ionic strength adjustor powder pillow in 50 mL of deionized water.
  2. Add 5 mL of the dilute (ISA) solution to each 25 mL of standard solution or sample.
  Note: The ISA is not necessary when all of the conditions that follow apply:
  
  • The sample does not contain interferences.
  • The sample pH is within the range given in the specifications.
  • Omission of the ISA is accepted by the regulatory reporting agency (if the measurement is for regulatory reporting).

6.4 Interferences

The sensing element will measure some other ions that are known to interfere with the method. The probe response to other ions usually increases the mV potential and causes a positive error. The response to other ions can be semi-quantitatively calculated through the Nikolsky equation, an extended Nernst equation:

E = E° + (RT/(zF))ln[a_Na + K_Nax × a_x]

Where:

• a_x = the activity of the interfering ion
• K_Nax = the selectivity coefficient for the interfering ion relative to the primary ion

Cations and most anions do not interfere with the fluoride measurements. Anions commonly associated with fluoride (chloride (Cl^-), bromide (Br^-), sulfate (SO₄^2-), bicarbonate (HCO₃^-), phosphate (PO₄^3-) and acetate (C₂H₃O₂^-)) do not interfere with the probe operation.

Hydroxide ions (OH^-) interfere with the probe response when the pH is higher than pH 8. Some ions, such as carbonate (CO₃^2-) or phosphate (PO₄^3-), increase the pH, which increases the hydroxide (OH^-) interference, but the ions do not directly interfere. Hydroxide ions (OH^-) interfere with the probe response when the level of hydroxide is more than 10% of the level of fluoride. The error increases with an increase in pH and a decrease in fluoride.

When the Fluoride ISA is added to standards and samples, the pH is buffered between 5.0 and 5.5, which prevents interference from hydroxide ion.

The selectivity coefficient is the approximate apparent increase in the measured concentration that is caused by one unit of the interfering ion (e.g., 1 unit of OH^- increases the fluoride concentration by 0.1). The approximate selectivity coefficients for some ions with the Intellical Fluoride ISE are shown in Table 1.

Section 7: Verify the Calibration

Measure the value of a fresh standard solution at regular intervals to make sure the result is accurate. The meter compares the expected standard solution value to the measured value and accepts or rejects the measurement. The user can change the standard solution and acceptance criteria for verification in the probe-specific settings.

Note: Password protection may prevent access to the acceptance criteria.

7.1 Verification Procedure

Step 1: Go to the verification menu. The display shows the standard solution to use for verification.
Note: Menu name for HQd meters: Run check standard.

Step 2: Pour 25 mL of the standard solution into a 50-mL plastic beaker.

Step 3: Add one Fluoride Ionic Strength Adjustor (ISA) Powder Pillow.
Note: As an alternative, add 5 mL of Fluoride ISA Solution.

Step 4: Add a stir bar. Place the beaker on an electromagnetic stirrer. Stir at a moderate rate.

Step 5: Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

Step 6: Immerse the probe in the standard solution with the sensor fully in the solution. Do not place the probe on the bottom or sides of the beaker.

Step 7: Shake the probe from side to side to remove air bubbles.

Step 8: Stir for 30 to 60 seconds, then read the value of the standard solution. The meter accepts or rejects the result.

Section 8: Maintenance

Regular maintenance is necessary for the best accuracy, stabilization time, and life of the probe. Keep the probe clean between measurements.

8.1 Clean the Probe

Clean the probe regularly to remove mineral or sample buildup on the sensing element. Symptoms of contamination:

• Incorrect or irregular readings
• Slow stabilization times
• Calibration errors
• Sample material stays on the probe

Steps:

1. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
2. Clean the sensing element as follows:
   
   1. Lightly polish the sensing element with a small quantity of plain fluoride toothpaste (no teeth whiteners or abrasives). Use a circular movement and polish until the sensing element is clean.
   2. Fully rinse with deionized water.
   3. Soak the probe in isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes.
   4. Rinse the probe with deionized water.
   5. Condition the probe. Refer to Preparation for use on page 5.
3. Soak the probe for 30 minutes in a 1-mg/L fluoride standard solution.

8.2 Storage

Keep the sensor protection cap on the probe during storage to prevent damage to the sensing element.

Note: Make sure to condition the probe after long-term storage. Refer to Preparation for use on page 5.

1. Rinse the probe with deionized water. Blot dry with a lint-free cloth.
2. Make sure that the probe sensor is dry, then install the sensor protection cap. Refer to Product overview on page 3.

Section 9: Troubleshooting

Refer to Table 2 for general troubleshooting information. To check the probe performance, refer to Slope check on page 12. To check the accuracy of sample measurements, refer to Standard additions check on page 12.

9.1 Slope Check

Use the mV value of two standard solutions to make sure the probe gives the correct slope.

1. Prepare two standard solutions that are ten times apart in concentration (e.g., 1 mg/L and 10 mg/L F^-). Select standard solutions with a concentration above and below the typical sample concentration. Use a minimum concentration of 1 mg/L.
2. Use the measurement procedure to add the ISA and measure the mV value of each standard solution.
3. Calculate the difference in the mV value of the two standard solutions to find the slope. If the probe is in good condition, the slope will be 59 mV (within the ± slope limits of the method) at 25 °C (77 °F).

9.2 Standard Additions Check

To make sure that the sample measurement is accurate, add a small volume of a standard solution to the sample and calculate the percent recovery. The sample with the known volume of standard solution is known as a spiked sample.

1. Use the measurement procedure to measure the concentration of a 25-mL sample.
2. Use a pipet to add the applicable volume of standard solution to the sample. Refer to Table 3.

3. Measure the concentration of the spiked sample.

4. Calculate the expected (theoretical) concentration of the spiked sample:

C_E = (C_S × V_S/V_T) + (C_SS × V_SS/V_T)

Where:

• C_E = expected (theoretical) concentration of the spiked sample
• C_S = concentration of the sample (mg/L) before the standard solution was added
• C_SS = concentration of the standard solution (mg/L)
• V_S = sample volume (mL) before the standard solution was added
• V_SS = volume of the standard solution (mL)
• V_T = total volume (standard solution volume (mL) + sample volume)

5. Calculate the percent recovery of the standard addition. A percent recovery of 100 (±5)% is an indication that the sample measurements are accurate.

Percent recovery = C_M/C_E × 100

Where:

• C_M = measured concentration of the sample after the addition of the standard solution
• C_E = expected (theoretical) concentration of the sample after the addition of the standard solution

Section 10: Consumables

Note: Product and Article numbers may vary for some selling regions. Contact the appropriate distributor or refer to the company website for contact information.

10.1 Accessories