Keith McLeroy
Ecolyse, USA
Title: Confirming Drinking Water Quality and Improving Distribution System Monitoring: Appraisal of an Enhanced Portable Instrument for Scale and Bio-Film Forming Analytes
Biography
Biography: Keith McLeroy
Abstract
The Global Petroleum Research Institute (GPRI) at Texas A&M University is distinguished for its high-level assessments of innovative analytical instrumentation and laboratory testing protocols for the chemistry and microbiological examination on various matrices of waters. A Phase 1 laboratory appraisal was performed on the RETEGO TTR-1© Detector portable instrument and on the RETEGO© test assay vial sets categorized as “wet-chemistry”. GPRI evaluated the complete TTR-1 unit, each analyte’s detection ranges, the straightforwardness of written protocols and the quality control/assurance robustness of the software generated data. The test vial sets for hardness/alkalinity, scaling salts, free/total chlorine, iron, and pH were investigated. Laboratory assessments were conducted employing high quality known standards for all analytes. The RETEGO platform utilizes advanced detection and chemical processes that were originally established to provide near real time results for complex matrix industrial water re-use purposes. Liquid samples are added to designated assay testing vials. Each vial contains a stable matrix of chemicals to conduct the colorimetric, turbidimetric or fluorescence test for the analyte. The results of each vial were measured on the TTR-1. The TTR-1 quantifies by conducting a multivariate analysis of a data set obtained through frequencyâ€modulated colorimetric and fluorescence measurements. This quantification is obtained from multiple laser (and other light emitting) diodes having distinctive wavelengths. This presentation will describe the assessments conducted, provide noted outcomes of the protocols, exhibit the assaying results, and detail the QA/QC statistics. The presentation will offer an overall conclusive opinion on both the RETEGO TTR-1 Detector and its wet-chemistry vial sets. Furthermore, discussion about its possible functions for the monitoring and optimization of drinking water distribution systems will also follow and reviewing the use of the TTR-1 as part of a water utility’s infrastructure management program to prevent line scaling, which can lead to possible formation of bacterial bio-filming.