The ARGES Crypto Sensor
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that can infect humans. Infection can result in a diarrhoeal disease called Cryptosporidiosis. Most people will recover within 4-6 weeks, however individuals with a compromised immune system may be more seriously affected.
Water companies must assess the risk of Cryptosporidium in its water sources, and design and continuously operate a water treatment process to remove the parasite or render it inactive. This is a regulatory requirement, and failure to comply is an offence.
We have developed the ARGES Crypo sensor that will detect the Cryptosporidium levels in the water, providing assurance of its safety for use.
Advantages of the ARGES Crypto Sensor
- Rapid Results: Delivers sample analysis in under 5 minutes, significantly faster than other methods.
- Highly Accurate: Advanced fluorometric detection ensures reliable results with minimal operator input.
- Innovative Design: State-of-the-art technology streamlines the testing process and simplifies Cryptosporidium detection.
How it works
- Sample Preparation: The water sample is collected and placed directly in front of the fluorometer sensor for analysis.
- Autofluorescence Detection: The fluorometer detects Cryptosporidium oocysts based on their natural autofluorescence wavelengths, removing the need for any staining or additional preparation.
- Automated Analysis: The fluorometer scans the sample, identifies oocysts, and quantifies their concentration using precise optical detection technology.
- Instant Results: Results are displayed on the instrument’s digital interface within 1 minute, providing rapid data for water safety.
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.
In-situ measurement, no sampling, no reagents
• Direct SI Unit output of parameters
• Optical window with coating to minimise clogging
• Real time measurement
• Automatic compensation for temperature effects
Why Measure Cryptospiridium
Measuring Cryptosporidium is crucial for several reasons, particularly given its significant role in public health and its impact on water quality.
- A Leading Cause of Global Diarrheal Deaths: Unsafe water and poor sanitation contributes to 1.6 million deaths annually, with Cryptosporidium being a major contributor due to its waterborne transmission
- Worldwide Waterborne Outbreaks: Cryptosporidium has been identified as the primary cause of 905 global waterborne outbreaks
- A Global Threat: Cryptosporidium affects people worldwide, with 823,000 cases reported annually in the US and nearly 11,000 confirmed cases in the EU in 2019
Multiparameter Housing
The ARGES Crypto Sensor by Keynes Controls can be used as a stand-alone device or as a part of a multi-parameter 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.
Only a single network connection fitted to the base of the housing is required to communicate with all the internal sensors. The internal sensors will automatically detect the network traffic and start operations. All of the sensors support SDI12, RS485 and MODBUS communications.
Multiparameter Measurements
The ARGES Fluorometer sensors by default take measurements sequentially and as such there will be no light pollution between sensors that can affect the results of adjacent fluorometers. Some of the filters for the different model sensors can operate at similar wavelengths and as such, a sensor monitoring for a specific chemical could effect the levels measured on a similar device.
River Water Samples
The ARGES Cyrpto Sensors were used to test local tap water and this has been used a simple comparison guide to the water quality as monitored on the .
River Water
Typical levels 5 to 50 oocyst naturally.
Excess amounts in river water can occur due to badly treated sewage.
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 2 years. The User can adjust the calibration for a specified range to improve accuracy for dedicated tasks.
The ARGES Crypto Sensor is a very sensitive device. The normal factory calibration settings will be suitable for general operations.
Optional Accessories
Keynes Controls manufactures a range of accessories that can be used to connect the ARGES range of sensors to a Windows computer system and enable the sensors to be used in Laboratory applications, multi-parameter instruments and calibration operations.
The optional USB media converter can be used to connect The ARGES Crypto Sensor by Keynes Controls, or a multi-parameter instrument containing the Crypto Sensor to a Windows PC. Free applications software enables measurements to made and results displayed. The QLOG software can be used to adjust the instrument configuration.
Product Features
| TYPE | RANGE (Typical levels) |
| Solid state Fluorometer | Excitation Infra-red |
| Concentration range: | 10 -2 to 10 -6 oocysts - |
| Resolution: | Estimated 0.01 ppb |
| Accuracy: | +/- 5% of reading - Typical |
| Multi-parameter Housings |
7 / 3 Port Options |
| Calibration Period: | Approximately 2 year between Calibration - |
| Sensor Material | Stainless-steel body - Gold plated Connector pins |
| pH Range | 0 - 14 |
| Sensor Element | Patent pending |
| Digital Communications | SDI12 / RS485 / MODBUS Digital Communications |
| Full Digital Operation | |
| Simple Calibration | Multi point Calibration Point Option |
| SI Units |
Oocysts Concentration, Degrees Celsius |
Specifications
| ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS | ||||
| Crypto | MDL 1 x 10 -6 oocysts | Range 0 - 10 -2 oocysts | Non freeze | |
| Other ranges on request | Ambient Range: 0 - 50 Degree Celsius | |||
| Water Temperature: -2 to 50 Degree Celsius | ||||
| Accuracy | +/- 5 % of Reading | |||
| PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS | ||||
| Resolution | Unknown | |||
| Length x Diameter: 22 x 220 mm | ||||
| Sample Period |
|
Weight: 97 g | ||
| Wiper Trigger | SDI12 Command | aM! | Maximum Depth : 100 m | |
| Excitation | Infra-red | Built-in Network Types: | ||
| Housing | 316 Stainless Steel | |||
| Focal Point | In-front of sensor faceplate | |||
| Data Output | SI Units - ppb / Degrees C | Supply Voltage: 10 - 18 V DC Standby Current 0.3 mA 30 mA Approximate |
Built-in Communication Options
The ARGES Crypto Sensor 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.
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