Many instruments available for measuring fluorescence of Tryptophan are old-fashioned, complex to use, expensive, and require a high degree of proficiency to operate.  These instruments may also require expensive additional housings and accessories before they can be deployed for any monitoring task. End users who are looking for a simple to use instrument to make fluorescence measurements of Tryptophan need look no further that The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls.

The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls is a single-channel instrument that can detect and report Tryptophan levels in the range of 0.5 - 2000 ppb.

Submersible ARGES Tryptophan Fluorometer

In-situ measurement, no sampling, no reagents

• Direct SI Unit output of parameters - SDI12 1.4 Compliant
• Optical window with coating to minimise clogging
• Background light level measurement
• Automatic compensation for temperature effects

Measurement Integrity

All of the ARGEs sensor range have the serial numbers and the last calibration date stored internally. The user can access this information for reporting purposes. The sensors can be redeployed at any time with the calibration and serial number records are retained in the sensor.

Why Measure Tryptophan

Some types of organic matter fluoresce at the same wavelengths as tryptophan. ‘Tryptophan-like’ fluorescence in river water is associated with the presence of organic matter that can be easily degraded by microbes. This type of organic matter can arise in rivers from sewage inputs, from farm wastes such as cattle and pig slurry and silage. So the measurements from the ARGES-Tryptophan sensor can be used to identify the presence of these organic wastes in a river.

Sewage Detection

Human sewage fluoresces at the same wavelengths as Tryptophan, so The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls can be used measure accidental spillages of human waste into a river. The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls can help identify mis-connections with sewer pipes in urban river locations.  The Tryptophan sensor is commonly deployed with the ARGES Ammonia,  submersible pH, Turbidity Sensor, Nitrate sensors when undertaking longer term monitoring tasks for human waste, sewage detection.

Product Features

TYPE RANGE (Typical levels)  
Solid state Fluorometer Excitation UV  280 nm
Concentration range: 0.5 to 2000  ppb - other ranges on request - User adjustable
                 Serial number Factory set - built into the sensor - download on command
                   Accuracy: +/- 1 ppb   4 % of reading - Typical
Multi-parameter Housings
Currently 7 / 3 Port Options - with wiper unit
Calibration Period: Approximately 2 year between Calibration -
Sensor Material Stainless-steel body - Gold plated Connector pins
pH Range 0 - 14
Return Parameters User Assigned layout  - Tryp(ppb) + Temp Comp Tryp (ppb) + Temp Deg C + LUX
Digital Communications SDI12 / RS485 / MODBUS Digital Communications
Detection 300 - 400 nm
Simple Calibration Single, Multi point Calibration Point Option
SI Units
Trypotophan (ppb) - Temperature  (Degree Celsius) - Background Light LUX
Analogue Output
0-2 V DC - proportional to concentration - optional

Q-LOG Product Application Software

The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls is supplied with a free copy of the Keynes Q-LOG Applications software

The Q-LOG software runs on the Windows Operating System that can be used configure to acquire real-time measurements from individual ARGES sensors and multiparameter solutions. An optional USB interface enables the sensors to directly connect to a PC.

The measurements can be be shown in panel meters and charts.

Real-time chart showing Tryptophan and temperature
USB-SDI12 AG1 Media Converter by Keynes Controls

Multiparameter Housing

SONDE Housing
SONDE-3 Port sensor ready for deployment

The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls can be used as a stand-alone device or as a part of a multiparameter solution. Keynes Controls currently manufacture 7 port and 3 port sensor housings. An optional submersible brush unit is available for cleaning the fluorometer optics and this can be fitted into any port within the housings.

Multiparameter Measurements

Any combination of ARGES sensors selective can be fitted into the multiparameter housing

Deployment and Test Results August 2024

ARGES 3 PORT SONDE Tryptophan submerged results
The deployment of the ARGES sensors for effluent testing
Real-time chart showing Tryptophan and temperature

Calibration Period and Range

All of the sensors are Factory calibrated before shipment. The advanced design of the sensors means that the time between re-calibration of an instrument is minimised. Keynes Controls recommends a check calibration every year. The User can adjust the calibration for a specified range to improve accuracy for dedicated tasks.

Keynes Controls offer calibration solutions for ARGES Tryptophan sensors which are available from the online shop. There is a finite life for these solutions. Keep the calibration solution in a cool place in a seal plastic bottle.

Calibration Solution Part Number:

TRYP-1000-500    1000 ppb

TRYP-50-500         50 ppb

Specifications

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
Tryptophan MDL   0.05 ppb Range   0.5 - 2000 ppb Non freeze
Other ranges on request              0 - 100 ppb  (Low Level) Ambient Range:           0 - 50    Degree Celsius
Water Temperature:     -2 to 50  Degree Celsius
Accuracy +/- 4 % of Reading
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
Resolution 0.01 ppb
Length x Diameter:  22 x  205 mm
Sample Period
Typically 1 Second
Weight:    108 g
Wiper Trigger SDI12 Command aM! Maximum Depth : 50 m - 500m on request
Excitation UV Built-in Network Types:
Housing 316 Stainless Steel MODBUS / SDI12 / RS485 / Analogue Output 
Focal Point In-front of sensor faceplate
Data Output SI Units - ppb / Degrees Celcius Supply Voltage:  10 - 18 V DC
Standby Current   8 mA   24 mA  Active measurement

Supported Commands

 

Most commonly used commands
Start measurement aM! a05\r\n where 05 = time delay before measurement sent
Send ID aI! a14KEYNESCOFLOURS017Tryp000n  Part description assigned by Keynes
Address Query ?! Where a = ID number - 0 - 9 (standard) / (a..z) Enhanced SDI-12
0 - 9 / a - z for RS485
Change Address aAb! where a = Initial address and b = Final address
Start Measurement aM! Make a measurement - a = address of sensor
Example 1M! starts a measurement for sensor with ID=1
Set Output Variables XCSTR0! Sets the parameter order for measurements sent from the sensor - factory set BCKL
Read Serial Number aXSN! Instrument Response a+Serial-number
Calibration Date aXCD! Instrument Response a+date
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Calibration Commands
First Calibration point (ppb) XCA0 Typical value = 1000 (ppb) - High value
First Calibration - uncompensated (ppb) XCA1 Typical Value = 1000 as prepared from calibration standard
Second Calibration point (ppb) XCA0 Typical value = 20 (ppb)
Second Calibration - uncompensated (ppb) XCA1 Typical Value = 20 as prepared from calibration standard

 

Built-in Communication Options

The ARGES Tryptophan Sensor by Keynes Controls supports SDI-12, RS485 and MODBUS digital communications as standard enabling the sensors to be directly connected to Data Logger for remote web based reporting, onto Wi-Fi and Local Area Networks using the RS485 option, and directly into SCADA applications using the MODBUS.

ARGES Tryptophan Sensor built-in Communications

MODBUS Operations

ALL of the ARGES range of chemical sensors support MODBUS network operations The sensors act as a slave unit only and can communicate to suitable controllers and SCADA systems that support the MODBUS Protocol. The sensors support 16 and 32 bit registers.  

The ARGES sensors can be connected to a PC based system using the optional USB-485-Pro media converter. This device can power the chemical sensor and supports the correct timing protocols for data transmission for MODBUS and standard RS485 network communications.

Additional Information:
Related Products by Keynes Controls: Submersible Fluorometer, Tryptophan sensor, ARGES Tryptophan, Chlorophyll Fluorometer, ARGES chlorophyll, Single Channel Fluorometer, Handheld Portable Fluorometer, Fluorometer Sensor, Submersible Chlorophyll Fluorometer, ARGES CDOM/FDOM, ARGES CDOM, Turbidity sensor, ARGES Turbidity, Hydrocarbon sensor, ARGES Hydrocarbon, ARGES Sensor, ARGES pH, pH Sensor, ARGES Dissolved oxygen, dissolved oxygen sensor, MODBUS fluorometer, SDI12 fluorometer, RS485 fluorometer, PAH
Key Words Related to Identifying Our Products or Intended Product Use or Product Outcome: Fluorometer, Tryptophan, Fluorometer price, Turner Fluorometer, Field Fluorometer, Digital Filter Fluorometer, Water Quality Sensor, Water quality instrument, Clean water, Water pollution sensors, Sewage Sensor, Sewage leak detector. Updated by Kathryn Thomas