ToxProtect II

The online instrument for drinking water protection

Quick and reliable detection of toxins in the water supply

The ToxProtect is an automated monitoring system to protect a drinking water supply from accidental or malicious contamination due to harmful substances. The characteristic of these threats is a relatively high concentration of dangerous substances that occurs suddenly. Such situations must be detected quickly and safely. False alarms are reduced to an absolute minimum using the ToxProtect. This improves the trust of the operators and reduces unnecessary expenditure.

The Measurement Principle

The ToxProtect monitors the swimming activity of fish in an aquarium fed with drinking or mains water. The location of up to 10 fish and their activity is monitored continuously. Fish react sensitively to the presence of toxins and change their behaviour. The use of fish to detect toxins is an established method.

The test organisms react sensitively to most substances harmful to humans. Toxicity data are available for almost every combination of fish and toxin. To use the ToxProtect to monitor chlorinated drinking water, a dechlorination substance can be added.

The movements of the fish lead to interruptions in light barriers located in the instrument which register the entire volume of the aquarium. The activity of the fish (interrupts per minute per fish) is calculated from these interruptions. If these values fall below a pre-defined threshold, an alarm verification system is activated. In addition, immobile fish at the bottom and top of the aquarium are also registered.

The fish species can be determined by the user, the fish should be however active and have a length of 4-6 cm.

Toxicity Detection

The ToxProtect detects changes in the swimming activity of the fish due to intoxication and evaluates the measurement data for alarm events. The thresholds for the alarm triggers can be set individually. High priority of the alarm emission is given to fish at the top and bottom of the aquarium, which could indicate mortality.

The ToxProtect detects for example the respiratory toxin potassium cyanide within 10 minutes at a concentration of 1 ppm.

Alarm Verification

Due to naturally occurring random variations in fish behaviour, each alarm criterion is fulfilled from time to time by accident. Hence, in order to prevent false alarms, a verification system is required. This is achieved by decreasing the illumination (turning the light off) inside the aquarium during the verification period.

Normally, this leads to a dramatic increase in fish activity. Under toxic conditions, however, this may be different. Hence, by monitoring the "increase" in activity or lack of it during modified illumination, it is possible to accept or reject the initial alarm automatically.

Operation Monitoring (Hardware Alarm)

The ToxProtect is equipped with internal sensors which refer to possible error functions. The following parameters are monitored:

  • sample flow
  • drain blockage
  • temperature decrease
  • accidental or unauthorised ambient light in the aquarium
  • high chlorine concentration

Cyanide alarm within 10min at 1ppm

Features & Informations

Advantages of the ToxProtect II

  • sensitive to a wide range of toxins
  • reliable
  • easy to operate
  • low maintenance
  • low purchasing and operating costs
  • alarm reports via SMS and e-mail

In order to ensure a high level of water security, it may be necessary to operate several monitoring stations. The ToxProtect 64 is a low-priced, easy-to-operate instrument which lends itself easily to multiple application within a drinking water supply network.

Applications - varied protection

  • drinking water supply
  • dam monitoring
  • waterway analysis and assessment
  • general environmental assessment
  • intake monitoring
  • chemical analysis

PC Software - exclusive data evaluation

One or several ToxProtect II instruments can be monitored remotely by transferring data to the PC software (available as an option). Connections are possible via LAN, GSM modem or Internet. The software offers several possibilities for the display and anaylsis of all measurement values.

It is also possible to define different parameter settings and check the curent status of the instrument remotely.

Technical specification of our ToxProtect II

Description Value
Sensors array of 78 light barriers
Measurands activity (total, separated in rows); interruptions of light barriers due to fish movement
Weight 50 kg
Dimensions (H x W x D) 1125 mm x 858 mm x 600mm
Mains supply 115/230V 50/60 Hz
Power consumption 200 W
Temperature Sample: 5 - 28°C (dep. on fish) / Environment: 5 - 30° C
Transmission up to max. 40 FTU
Sample flow 50 - 150 l/h
Aquarium volume 9 l
Housing protection class IP54
Relay outputs 2 x 24V 1 A contacts
Interface modem LAN analogue output 4-20 mA (2 X) relay output (2 X) RS232
Maintenance interval > 7 days
Recommended fish species fat-head minnow, tiger barb, minnow, bitterling - depending on temperature; tests for other local fish on request
Feeding automatic feeder at selectable intervals
Number of fish 10
Length of fish 4-6 cm
Recommended period of use of fish 6 month
Options
  • dechlorination system
  • Modbus TCP/IP

Subject to alteration!

Available variants of the ToxProtect II

ToxProtect II

Item number: BG0075.0000 - 230V

ToxProtect II is an automated monitoring system to protect drinking water supply from accidental or malicious contamination due to harmful substances.

Instrument construction:

  • aquarium with up to 20 fish
  • low-maintenance

Compact housing:

  • protection class IP54
  • separate compartment for flow-through cell compartment and electric component
  • instrument operation and parameter set-up

Instrument supervision:

  • hardware control with sensor-monitored malfunction analysis

Detection method:

  • the ToxProtect II monitors the swimming activity of up to 20 fish

Environmental requirements:

  • temperature range for operation 5-35°C
  • temperature range for storage 0-50°C
  • humidity < 95 %, no condensation
  • sunlight: no direct irradiation
  • reference water (non toxic mains water): 2l/h
  • min. cooling water volume 50 l/h

Display:

  • integrated LCD display
  • all data are displayed in graphic form

Data output:

  • collected data (current and stored data) available via integrated Windows PC
  • relay output
  • LAN access
  • GSM modem

Hydraulic connections:

  • sample inlet diameter: 20mm
  • sample outlet diameter: 30mm

Water supply:

  • the ToxProtect can be run continuously on tap water at 1 bar pressure

Software:

  • data documentation in compliance with GLP
  • control software with graphic desktop can be supplemented or modified with gradual access authorization of the user
  • can be integrated into LAN network
  • remote control via modem
  • data export via RS 232 to MS EXCEL

Alarm evaluation:

  • algorithms for the recognition of alarm situations
  • mathematical and statistical analysis
  • adjustable alarm thresholds
  • continuous measurement after alarm release
  • Declaration of conformity
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Available accessories for the ToxProtect II

Pressure Reducer/Strainer for ToxProtect II

Item number: BG0070.0079

The ToxProtect II works with 1 bar of water pressure. Higher pressure requires a pressure reducer/strainer.

Downloads & Information about the ToxProtect II

Manuals, software and further informations for this product may be available in the internal area for registered users.