Inline chloramine detection via redox potential measurement in water systems
A sensor-based approach for rapid, inline detection and quantification of chloramine in water using redox potential measurements. Enables real-time monitoring without chemical reagents, with potential applications in dialysis solutions and other water treatment systems where chloramine monitoring is critical.
Overview
This solution offers a method for inline detection and quantitation of chloramine in water based on measurements of redox potential. Chloramine and other disinfectants cause predictable and discernible changes in the redox potential of ambient water, enabling rapid and reliable identification without the need for chemical reagents or laboratory analysis. The approach is particularly relevant for medical applications such as dialysis solutions, as well as broader water treatment and disinfection monitoring contexts.
Technical specifications
- Measurement principle: Redox potential shifts caused by chloramine are distinct from those produced by other species such as dissolved oxygen, enabling selective detection
- Speed and cost: Measurements are rapid, inexpensive, and require no added chemicals
- Sensor format: Compatible with miniaturized sensors suitable for inline deployment
- Validated parameters: Prior experimental work has confirmed consistent redox potential responses across varying chloramine concentrations, pH levels, and contact times
- Theoretical basis: Results align with equilibrium models describing chloramine formation and interactions with other redox-active species
Technology readiness level
The approach is supported by prior experimental data and theoretical modeling that demonstrate the relationship between chloramine concentration and redox potential under varied conditions. Future validation will focus on water compositions representative of target systems, with rigorous quantification of measurement sensitivity and repeatability. Additional development will address sensor miniaturization and long-term stability to enable practical deployment in real-world water monitoring applications.
About University of Washington
The University of Washington is a large public research university with campuses in Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma, known for a broad portfolio from fundamental discovery to applied innovation. Industry partners engage through a South Lake Union research campus adjacent to a major life sciences district and through collaboration programs that place faculty and students alongside corporate R&D. The university’s integration with a major academic health system enables clinical translation and large-scale trials. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NIH, NSF, DOE, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup incubation with prototyping resources.
delivered to your inbox.