BIOINSTRUMENTATION II

BM-311
Laboratory and clinical based project
“pH Meter”

Rabia Ahmed Usmani (Group Leader) BM-18011

Areeba Muneem BM-18016

Farwa Naqvi BM-18014

Mohammad Anas BM-18302

Submitted to Sir Abul Hasan

 ABSTRACT
In this project, we are designing a pH Meter by Interfacing Analog Ph Sensor with Arduino. The
measurement of pH is the most widely employed test for bio-chemical lab. Since the use of glass
electrode to detect pH, new techniques and methods have broaden the scope of pH detection. pH
scale is used to measure the acidity and basicity of a liquid. It can have readings ranging from 1-
14 where 1 shows the most acidic and 14 shows the most basic. 7 pH is for neutral substances that
are neither acidic nor basic. The pH meter is used in many applications ranging from laboratory
experimentation to quality control.

Key words: Gravity analog meter, Arduino, pH calibration, pH diagnostics, pH electrodes, pH Strip,
pure water.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ ii
TABLE OF CONTENT ..........................................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. iv
CHAPTER 1 .............................................................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Components ....................................................................................................................... 2
1.4. Cost ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.5. Block diagram……………………………………………………………………………4
1.6. Source code……………………………………………………………………………...5
CHAPTER 2: ............................................................................................................................. 4
LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Problem Statement ............................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Empirical Studies ............................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER 3: ............................................................................................................................. 7
MATERIALS AND METHOD ................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Methodology...................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 4: ............................................................................................................................. 8
RESULTS................................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Outputs Of The pH Meter ................................................................................................. 8
CHAPTER 5: ........................................................................................................................... 10
Implication strategy……………………………………………………………………………10
DISCUSSION .......................................................................................................................... 11
5.1 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 11
CHAPTER 6: ........................................................................................................................... 11
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................. 11
6.1 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 11
6.2 Future Recommendation.................................................................................................. 11

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REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 12

iv
 LIST OF
TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

Table 1.4 Costing 5

LIST OF FIGURESRES
TABLE TITLE PAGE
Figure 1 Circuit diagrams 5
Figure 2 Block diagram 6

Figure Source code 6-7

Figure 4.1 Result in Water 10

Figure 4.2 Set of Results in water 10
sample
Figure 4.3 Set of results in Milk 11
Figure 4.4 Set of Results in Lemon 11
water

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CHAPTER:1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The concept of the pH measurement as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration
was first published in 1909 by Soren Sorensen of the Carlsberg Laboratory of Copenhagen. 100
years later, the glass pH electrode is still the most prevalent online composition measurement in
the process industry [1] .The pH can control the availability of nutrients, biological functions,
microbial activity, and the behavior of chemicals. There are two methods for measuring pH:
colorimetric methods using indicator solutions or papers or pH strips, and the more accurate
electrochemical methods using electrodes and a mill voltmeter (pH meter). The development of
the glass electrode, which is convenient to use in a variety of environments, and the development
of the pH meter have enabled the widespread application of pH measurement and control to take
place. The determination, and hence the control of pH, is of great importance in the food
industry. Now, pH plays a very important role in our lives and it is used in various applications.
The product of the hydrogen and hydroxyl ion concentration in a water solution depends upon
the water dissociation constant (pKw) [2]

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1.2 Aims and Objectives

In this project we have made Arduino based pH meter with the help of basic materials like
Arduino, Gravity analog sensor and PH signal conversion module etc. The basic purpose to
use gravity Analog pH Sensor is specifically to measure the pH of the solution and reflect the
acidity or alkalinity. The gravity analog pH sensor is used in various applications such as
aquaculture, and environmental water testing. This sensor looks like a rod usually made of a
glass material having a tip called “Glass membrane”. This membrane is filled with a buffer
solution of known pH. This electrode design ensures an environment with the constant binding
of H+ ions on the inside of the glass membrane. When the probe is dipped into the solution to
be tested, hydrogen ions in the test solution start exchanging with other positively charged ions
on the glass membrane, which creates an electrochemical potential across the membrane which
is fed to the electronic amplifier module which measures the potential between both electrodes
and converts it to pH units.

The Arduino based pH meter can be checked pH values by gravity pHsensor with pH electrode.
A 16x2 LCD is used to show the pH.

1.3 Components
 Arduino Uno
 16*2 Alphanumeric LCD
 12C Module for LCD
 Gravity Analog pH sensor
 Connecting wires
 Breadboard
 pH signal conversion board

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS:

Arduino Uno

Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software.

Arduino boards are able to read inputs light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message
and turn it into an output activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. The
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 board is equipped with sets of digital and analog input/output (I/O) pins that may be interfaced to
various expansion boards (shields) and other circuits. The board has 14 digital I/O pins. The whole
circuit can be powered using USB or via Vin pin.

16*2 Alphanumeric LCD

An 16*2 LCD is an electronic display module that uses liquid crystal to produce a visible image. The
16×2 LCD display is a very basic module commonly used in DIYs and circuits. The 16×2 translates
o a display 16 characters per line in 2 such lines. In this LCD each character is displayed in a 5×7
pixel matrix. Most commonly LCD has two registers, Command register and a Data register.

12C Module for LCD

I2C Module has a inbuilt PCF8574 I2C chip that converts I2C serial data to parallel data for the LCD
display. These modules are currently supplied with a default I2C address of either 0x27 or 0x3F. To
determine which version you have check the black I2C adaptor board on the underside of the module.

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The advantage of an I2C LCD is that the wiring is very simple. You only need two data pins to control
the LCD.

Gravity Analog pH sensor:

Gravity Analog pH Sensor is specifically designed to measure the pH of the solution and reflect the
acidity or alkalinity. The gravity analog pH sensor is used in various applications such as aquaculture,
and environmental water testing.

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1.4. Total Cost

COST ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED LEG DESIGN

Components Quantity Prices (Rs.)

Arduino Uno 1 650 /-

pHAnalog Gravity meter 1 1400 /-

Alphanumeric LCD 1 800 /-

Connecting Wires 20 60 /-

Cable 1 70 /-

TOTAL 2980/-

Table 1: Costing

1.5. Circuit Diagram

Figure 1: Circuit Diagram

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 Figure: 2: Block diagram

Source code for Arduino:

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 CHAPTER 2:
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Problem Statement

In the past a rough indication of pH can be obtained using pH papers or indicators, which change color
as the pH level varies. These indicators have limitations on their accuracy, and can be difficult to
interpret correctly in colored or murky samples at that time, scientists could easily tell if a substance was
acidic, but not how acidic or basic it was. More accurate pH measurements are needed for certain
sensitive task in which accurate pH is needed so to obtain that a pH meter was invented.

2.2 Empirical Studies

Nowadays research on the review of current material and techniques for the selection of best
combination among the pH sensitive materials related to pH detection methods and sensors are
studied. Researchers have studied various pH sensitive polymers, chemicals and found that few
measurement techniques do not have enough accuracy to observe the pH when salt is present and this
has been examined further. Ph-electrodes are constructed from a special composition glass which
senses the hydrogen ion concentration. This glass is typically composed of alkali metal ions. The
alkali metal ions of the glass and the hydrogen ions in solution undergo an ion exchange reaction,
generating a potential difference. In many cases, a combinatorial approach of two pH sensitive
materials or sensors seems to be more effective with better real time response, sensitivity, sensor
resolution and operational stability in place of the common standard techniques. The measurement of
pH is the most widely employed test for (bio-) chemical lab. Since the first use of glass electrode to
detect pH, new techniques and methods have broaden the scope of pH detection.

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 CHAPTER 3:
MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1 Methodology
pH Sensor and Meter depends upon the exchange of ions from sample solution to the inner solution
(pH 7 buffer) of glass electrode through the glass membrane. pH meter is used to determine the
pH of different solutions. A pH meter contains a probe that passes the electrical signals to the pH
meter ad pH meter displays the pH value of the solution.
The glass of pH probe contains two electrodes. A sensor electrode and a reference electrode. These
electrode are in form of glass tubes one contains pH 7 buffer and other contain saturated potassium
chloride solution .The sensor electrode bulb is made up of porous glass or permeable glass
membrane coated with silica and metal salts.
A silver wire coated with silver chloride is immersed in the saturated potassium chloride solution
in reference electrode. When the probe is placed in a solution to measure the pH, hydrogen ion
accumulate around the bulb and replace the metal ions from the bulb this exchange of ions
generates some electric flow that's captured by the silver wire.
The voltage of this electric flow is measured by the pH meter by converting it into pH value by
comparing the generated voltage with the reference electrode.
Conventionally, increase in acidity if the solution has a greater concentration of hydrogen ions that
increases the voltage. This increases voltage decreases the pH reading in the pH meter.
In the same manner, an increase in alkalinity decreases the hydrogen ions or increase in hydroxyl
ions concentration also decreases the voltage and increases the pH value in pH meter.

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CHAPTER 4:
RESULTS
4.1 Inputs And Outputs Of The pH Meter:
Different solutions are used to test the accuracy of the pH meter

Figure 4.1: Result in water

Figure 4.2: Results in sample water

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Figure4.3: Results in milk Solution

Figure4.4: Results in lemon water

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IMPLICATION STRATEGY:

 pH calibration : Its better if we calibrate it to at least two points ,it means we have to choose
two calibration points to define the range of the PH of the samples being measured
 Ensure that the glass bulb of the electrode is hydrated before performing a calibration because
if we calibrate the dry PH electrode it will result in the need for frequent calibration
 We have to use an adequate amount of PH buffer to fully submerge the bulb and the reference
junction and slightly shake the container containing the sample to ensure flow of reference
electrolyte into the sample this is crucial for fast electrode response and for stable electrode
readings
 We always have to use fresh buffer solution for calibration , this ensures buffer being used is
not contaminated
 Be aware of the offset which has the significant impact on PH meter’s electrode, the offset
should not exceed ± 30 mV, if there is an offset outside this range it means there is a clogged
junction or the probe requires cleaning so if this occurs try soaking the probe in cleaning
solution [3], rehydrate the bulb and repeat the process of checking offset .by following these
few simple tips we can obtain accurate calibrations and pH measurements.

LIMITATIONS:
 More frequent calibration is recommended when measuring in heavily contaminated, low-ion,
strongly acidic, and high-temperature solutions.
 Deposits on the electrode membrane can interrupt the processes so frequent washing of
pHelectrode is mandatory otherwise it will result in wrong results as well as contamination of the
fluid.
 The special buffer solution is required to calibrate it and one downside to using a pH meter is that
the cost of the meter is significantly higher than using test strips.
 The pH calibration may be influenced by temperature and carbon dioxide absorption.

MAINTENANCE:

Because of the sensitivity of the electrodes to contaminants, cleanliness of the probes is essential
for accuracy and precision. Probes are generally kept moist when not in use with a medium
appropriate for the particular probe, which is typically an aqueous solution available from probe
manufacturers.

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CHAPTER 5:
DISCUSSION

5.1 Discussion
With numerous readings we conferred that our pH meter is functional and is capable of testing
various solutions. The profound thing that we learnt while observing the results was the readings
of the solution was not consistent up to 2 significant figures; but is capable of delivering general
pH of the sample solution. The following assumptions are made for the slight inaccuracies that
for delivering cost effective product we chose cheap product but to optimize accuracy for
delivering we should follow up regular cleaning after testing of electrolytes is done to remove
noises that have caused inaccuracy and stirring of the electrolytic solution is appreciated. Overall
conduction of ions was made by the Analog gravity pH meter and strategy is successful.

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 CHAPTER 6:
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Conclusion
Once the code is uploaded and the all the components are fixed, the LCD display will start showing
the value of pH upon dipping the pH electrode in different solutions, each solution with different
levels of acidity or basicity will give different values of pH because the difference in the potentials
of the pH and reference electrodes provides a milli volt signal proportional to pH.

6.2 Future Recommendation

In recent years, there have been remarkable advances in nanotechnology and biotechnology. In
parallel with the trends, the pH measurement technology is also required to develop.
New approaches and procedures have broadened the area of pH detection since the first use of a glas
s electrode to monitor pH. Metal/metal oxide, ion sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFET), fiber-
optical techniques, Nano techniques, and conducting polymer techniques have all seen significant
advancements.
A relatively recent development in pH measurement is the introduction of ion-sensitive field effect
transistors (ISFET) technology as an alternative to the glass electrode. The glass-less and small-sized
sensor has led to the development of inexpensive, battery powered, pocket-sized pH measurement
system. Many reviews have been given to introduce ISFET-based pH sensor.

REFERENCES

REFERENCES
1. L R.G. Bates, Determination of pH Theory and Practice, John Wiley, 1964

2. N. Starostin, “New Trend in pH-Technology, Processing Magazine”, April 2008

3. C. C. Westcott, pH Measurements, Academic Press Inc.,1978

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