A Modernized High Performance Photometric Comparator for Measuring Chemical Pollutants

The need of determining routine chemical parameters in natural waters, especially in field analysis, can be a critical matter if costs and simplicity are taken into account. The aim of this project, which is supported by the Brazilian Interministerial Commission for Marine Resources (CIRM), is to develop alternative analytical methodologies better adapted to the conditions of the country. The device introduced here, consists of a colorimeter, similar to other photometric comparators, such as DUBOSCQ and PULFRICH colorimeters but with several advantages over them: a more efficient optical circuit based on fiber optics; a new type of cell with variable optical path and an electronic matching point detector which makes the detection much less dependent on the analyst.