As the world becomes more connected and the demand for data increases, utilizing digital sensing technology is more important than ever. We’ve asked 12 professionals, who work with liquid analytics every day, to share their thoughts on topics which they believe will be a core focus this year.

1. PREDICTIONS FOR DIGITAL SENSING
TECHNOLOGY IN LIQUID ANALYTICS
As the world becomes more connected and the demand for data increases,
utilizing digital sensing technology is more important than ever.
We’ve asked 12 professionals, who work with liquid analytics everyday, to share their
thoughts on topics which they believe will be a core focus this year.
Here’s what to expect in 2019…
20192019

2. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE
Industry is moving from preventative maintenance
to predictive maintenance through the use of
digital sensing technology.
Digital sensing is positioned to help this trend along for pH dependent process-
es. Process and diagnostic data are transmitted to the control system allowing
the end-user to now address issues based on need rather than a schedule.
As process owners start to think in terms
of predictive maintenance and plant
technical resources become leaner, digital
sensing technology is there to meet this
need. Right now, it is not common to find
someone asking about predictive main-
tenance, but this topic will become a key
part of technology choice conversations.
2019 is the year that this conversation will
gain traction.
Nate Dolan
Outside Sales Rep
ndolan@ptlfprocess.com

3. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Eyes into sensor health and status
Despite being considered simple devices, inline analytical sensors have tradi-
tionally suffered from poor repeatability and reliability issues. These have often
resulted from a lack of understanding by users of the subtleties of process
analysis, and their impact of the performance of the sensor. Issues such as
poor calibration, temperature offsets, and sensor contamination can lead to
incorrect readings requiring frequent operator intervention.
The advent of digital sensing technology
is a key advancement in addressing these
issues. The lack of feedback from analog
sensors on their health and status might
lead to a misdiagnoses of sensor issues,
and the wrong corrective action. With
digital sensing technology, operators have
eyes into the sensor’s health and status,
and can more easily determine what cor-
rective actions, if any, are required.
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE
J.C. Arènes
Analyzer Specialist
Arenesjc@novatech.ca

4. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Efficiency in the field
A technician’s ability to have pH sensor diagnostics available at the point of
measurement gives them a clear visual indication of what maintenance is re-
quired. With predictive sensor diagnostics, the technician is able to be
more efficient.
Operational time, days of life in service,
sensor wear and glass impedance are
additional diagnostic parameters beyond
zero and slope that are provided by digital
technology. Having this real-time data at
their fingertips will take the guesswork
out of troubleshooting and provide clear
indication of a sensor’s maintenance
requirements.
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE
John Coe
Industrial Account Manager
jcoe@techquip.com

5. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Reducing operational costs by extending sensor life
with digital technology.
Digital sensors have the ability to communicate to an end-users DCS system
with manufacturer supplied DD files. This information allows field analytical
sensors (pH, DO, and conductivity) to be monitored in real time for perfor-
mance, repeatability, and overall health.
I believe that more users will adopt this
technology because of the need for
improved efficiency to support planned
maintenance outages and system
integrity. Trends can be monitored
to identify bad actors or changes in
sensor performance over time, and cal-
ibration records for 3rd
party reporting
requirements can easily be accessed
at any time.
Nick Tiernan
Sales Engineer
Nick_Tiernan@enproinc.com

6. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Universal multi-parameter transmitters
reduce inventory costs
Smart digital technology allows the customer to better manage their inventory
at the plant. Digital transmitters can be universal, allowing the plant to utilize
one type of transmitter to communicate with pH/ORP, conductivity, or oxygen
sensors. Now one transmitter model can be kept in stock instead of three
minimizing the cost of inventory.
With fewer transmitters models in use,
technicians will be more proficient in
startup and maintenance. Reduction
in training and maintenance costs are
directly impacted by the number of indi-
vidual components that plant personnel
are required to learn.
I believe that more companies will adopt
this technology in order to realize these
cost savings.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Nick Masters
Regional Manager
nmasters@m4knick.com

7. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
PRODUCT QUALITY
Offline calibration = More accurate measurement
Digital sensors can be calibrated in a controlled environment since they are
“smart” and independent from the controller. As opposed to analog technolo-
gy, there is no need to calibrate the sensor, cable, and transmitter together.
Considering environmental challenges and potential human error, calibrating
in a controlled setting ensures optimal results. Maintaining calibration stan-
dard integrity and eliminating challeng-
ing environmental conditions assures
both an accurate calibration and mea-
surement. More people will adopt digital
technology as they achieve greater
accuracy and realize the corresponding
impact on product quality.
Todd Stendebach
District Manager
todd_stendebach@enproinc.com

8. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
PRODUCT QUALITY
Quality signal delivers a quality measurement
In industries where product quality relies on very tight measurement toleranc-
es, the quality of the instrument and signal generated is critical. With digital
sensing technology, external factors such as electrical disturbances are
eliminated. Additionally, manufactures using inductive technology can now
remove moisture and metal corrosion as variables, further preventing errors
in the signal for end users.
Moving into 2019, I see more and more
end users migrating to digital sen-
sors for both process and laboratory
environments. With a more accurate
and reliable signal, end users can be
assured they maintain tight production
tolerances and deliver quality product to
their customers.
Tony Sandfoss
Analytical Product Manager
tsandfoss@m4knick.com

9. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Tighter regulations require superior performance
Digital technology will become increasingly important in 2019 and the years
to come because of the higher standards being applied for drinking water
and effluent recharge water.
Many of my clients need to control chemical dosing to bring water quality
up to potable or even recharge standards. These standards require more
accurate and reliable measurements.
Digital sensors can offer galvanic
isolation, submersible inductive con-
nections, and offline calibration. Noise
reduction and minimization of human
error allow for more confidence in the
measurement when making control
decisions. The user is able to meet
tighter regulations with more accurate
and reliable sensor performance.
PRODUCT QUALITY
Art Olson
Municipal Industry Specialist
art@rustco.com

10. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Improve data quality and reduce risk of permit violations
Smart digital sensors can be used in conjunction with sensor management
software to provide calibration and diagnostic records to any government
agency. Records can be used to confirm adherence to air or water permit
requirements.
At the plant level, record keeping can be
difficult and the risk of losing data is al-
ways a concern. When using enterprise
asset software, visibility and oversight
can be done at the corporate level. This
ensures the data is stored in a safe lo-
cation and calibrations can be viewed by
business managers for verification. This
data is unalterable, meaning it may be
used to satisfy permit requirements.
I believe, as environmental regulations
become tighter and demands on tech-
nicians increase, the ability to satisfy
reporting requirements using enterprise
software will become more prevalent.
REPORTING
Ron Bridges
Regional Manager
rbidges@m4knic.com

11. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Capturing critical information from the process drives key
decisions that affect quality.
Without data certainty, it is impossible to trust that the process is
running safely, efficiently, and with high quality output. Digital technology
provides a much more reliable, interference-free signal directly impacting
data accuracy. If measurement and diagnostic data is not credible, this
could ultimately create downtime and cost the plant significant fees.
Data reporting capabilities increase with
digital technology. Data can be stored
within the transmitter for users to go
back and review calibrations, sensor
diagnostics and process performance.
This allows for the data to be audited
on demand.
More end users will turn to digital tech-
nology as the demand for reporting data
is increasing.
REPORTING
Kent Hanks
General Manager
khanks@techquip.com

12. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Ensuring safety while simplifying installation
in electrically classified areas
Liquid analyzer measurement accuracy is dependent upon the location of the
sensor. Therefore, those measurements taken inline and under full process
conditions yield better results. For process engineering and design profes-
sionals, this can be challenging when the prime location of an installation
is within an electrically classified area. Area electrical approvals extend to
additional components, like amplifiers,
that are sometimes required when
using analog sensor technology. These
additional components must also meet
area classification requirements and can
create more points of failure.
Increased safety through the use of
digital technology will be a continuing
trend for 2019 because it eliminates
the need for amplifiers and signal
conditioners within a measurement
loop. This ensures safety while
simplifying installation.
SAFETY
Howard Jordan
Regional Manager
hjordan@m4knick.com

13. [2019 Predictions for Digital Sensing Technology]
Reducing potential process exposure helps keep
your workers safe
Employees venture into hazardous areas on a daily basis in order to recali-
brate or replace their analog sensors because it must be done in the field.
This time-consuming process in potentially hazardous environments can be
greatly shortened using digital sensing technology.
Digital sensors enable the user to per-
form calibration in the safety of the lab
or office and not at the point of measure-
ment. This leads to less time in areas
with potential hazards and results in a
safer work environment for employees.
More companies will choose digital tech-
nology in the future as the cost of safety
infractions increases and the number of
employees decreases.
SAFETY
Riley Frazier
Central Region Manager
riley.frazier@rustco.com

14. We believe working with process measurement & control
equipment shouldn’t be painful.
M4 Knick provides a wide range of analytical sensors and holder
technologies. With decades of experience on staff, along with a
unique product solution set, M4 Knick is able to address persistent
analytical sensor issues such as accuracy, stability, and longevity.
These solving these issues leads to lower maintenance costs, sensor
replacement, and process downtime. To learn more about M4 Knick
please visit, www.m4knick.com.
©2018 M4 Knick, LLC. All Rights Reserved