ABB launches equipment to enhance industrial water monitoring
What happens when water quality ceases to be just a technical parameter and becomes a critical factor for industrial operations?
New technologies are emerging to address this challenge with greater precision and control.
In many industrial operations, water quality directly impacts process safety, equipment longevity, and production continuity. In this context, ABB has announced the launch of two solutions for continuous water analysis: the AeroStar™ family of dissolved oxygen sensors and the AWT424 transmitter, designed to improve the measurement and monitoring of this vital resource in industrial environments.
Both technological solutions focus on delivering accurate and stable measurements, with lower maintenance requirements and enhanced digital integration capabilities, enabling more consistent oversight of water quality in complex industrial processes.
Technology for Precise Measurement
The AeroStar™ sensor family was developed as an alternative to traditional electrochemical sensors, which typically require frequent calibration and periodic replacement.
According to the company, these sensors provide continuous dissolved oxygen measurement with greater stability, even under demanding industrial conditions, helping reduce operational interruptions and maintenance-related costs.
The sensors are targeted at industrial sectors such as energy, process steam, semiconductors, and food & beverage, where even trace amounts of dissolved oxygen can affect system performance or cause corrosion.
The AeroStar ULTRA model measures concentrations up to 4 parts per billion (ppb), while the AeroStar ULTRA TRACE can detect levels below 1 part per billion. The luminescence quenching optical design enables rapid response times and extends the sensor cap’s lifespan up to two years, reducing maintenance efforts compared to conventional technologies.
David Martins, Technical Product Manager for Continuous Water Analysis, ABB Measurement & Analytics division, states:
“The new sensors provide ultra-low dissolved oxygen measurement with unmatched accuracy and reliability. Their robust design and digital connectivity make them ideal for corrosion control in steam water systems and ultrapure water applications. This allows users to trust the process while significantly reducing maintenance requirements.”
Integration and Predictive Maintenance
AeroStar sensors integrate with the AWT424 transmitter via ABB’s EZLink™ digital platform, enabling predictive maintenance alerts through the EZLink Connect app. Constructed in stainless steel with a hygienic finish, they are suitable for food and beverage applications.
The AWT424 transmitter consolidates and manages continuous water analysis data. It is designed to connect and monitor up to four sensors simultaneously, providing a unified view of multiple water quality parameters such as pH/ORP, conductivity, turbidity, chlorine, and dissolved oxygen.
Comprehensive Water Management
The AWT424’s modular design allows sensors and communication modules to be added or replaced according to operational needs, simplifying spare parts management. The color TFT display and Bluetooth™ connectivity enable real-time access via the EZLink Connect app, allowing remote monitoring and configuration. It also supports MODBUS TCP communication for integration with plant control systems.
Martin Binney, Global Product Manager for CWA Transmitters, ABB Measurement & Analytics division, explains:
“The AWT424 transmitter meets our customers’ need to measure a wide variety of water parameters simultaneously in a single device that is easy to configure, operate, and maintain. This new solution provides a holistic view of water quality, essential for process control in complex industrial operations.”
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