1. Product Overview
The Induskey INK324 Self-cleaning Blue-green Algae Sensor is a submersible, fluorescence-based water quality monitoring instrument designed for continuous, long-term online measurement of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in aqueous environments. Developed for industrial and environmental applications, it addresses the critical limitations of traditional manual counting methods—including slow response times, high labor costs, and poor repeatability—by delivering real-time, high-precision data. A core design highlight is the integrated self-cleaning brush system, which mitigates biofouling, bubble interference, and sediment buildup on the optical window. This significantly reduces measurement drift and extends maintenance intervals, making the sensor ideal for unattended, 24/7 operation in demanding conditions. Factory-calibrated with two-point calibration, it supports plug-and-play deployment, enabling early warning systems for harmful algal blooms to support water quality management and public safety.
2. Sensing Technology & Self-Cleaning System
Fluorescence Sensing Technology
The sensor operates on the fluorescence method, targeting phycocyanin—a light-harvesting pigment unique to blue-green algae. The working principle is as follows:
- Excitation: A modulated LED light source emits light at a specific wavelength, exciting phycocyanin molecules in the water sample.
- Emission: Excited phycocyanin emits fluorescence at a longer, distinct wavelength.
- Detection & Conversion: A high-sensitivity photodetector measures the intensity of the emitted fluorescence, which is directly proportional to blue-green algae cell concentration. The raw signal is processed by on-board circuitry and converted to a digital output via the RS-485 interface with MODBUS protocol.
This method requires no sample pre-treatment, enabling continuous, real-time monitoring and avoiding errors and delays from laboratory counting.
Self-Cleaning Brush System
The integrated mechanical cleaning brush is a critical component for long-term stability. The brush periodically wipes the optical window, removing biofilm, sediment, and air bubbles that cause light attenuation and measurement drift. It eliminates contamination interference, cuts frequent manual cleaning, and extends maintenance cycles. It consumes 0.2W in standby mode and 0.6W during wiping, matching low-power demands for remote and battery-powered scenarios.
3. Key Features & Competitive Advantages
This sensor adopts phycocyanin-specific fluorescence detection to achieve rapid and accurate blue-green algae concentration measurement. It surpasses manual counting in speed, stability and cost performance, and needs no laboratory analysis.
Built-in integrated self-cleaning brush effectively resists dirt adhesion, bubble interference and sediment accumulation, greatly lowering measurement drift and reducing later maintenance and labor costs.
It is equipped with standard RS-485 and MODBUS industrial communication, realizing stable real-time data transmission and seamless connection with SCADA, PLC and IoT monitoring platforms.
It supports direct monitoring of raw water without any sample pre-treatment, realizing fully automatic online unattended monitoring.
Complete two-point factory calibration ensures plug-and-play use, simplifying on-site installation and avoiding field calibration errors.
With linearity over R²＞0.999 and 1 cells/mL high resolution, it provides stable and credible data for algal bloom early warning and environmental compliance supervision.
Adopting 316L(Ti) stainless steel housing and IP68 submersible rating, it can work steadily up to 30 meters underwater, adapting to fresh water and mildly corrosive water environments.
Low power consumption and 5–12V DC wide voltage supply support solar and battery power supply, suitable for remote monitoring stations.
Multiple measurement ranges are optional, covering conventional and high eutrophication water bodies, meeting diverse monitoring needs of different water environments.
4. Technical Specifications
| Parameter |
Specification |
| Product Name |
Self-cleaning Blue-green Algae Sensor |
| Model |
Induskey INK324 |
| Measurement Principle |
Fluorescence method (phycocyanin detection) |
| Measurement Range |
0–300,000 cells/mL (standard)；0–2,000,000 cells/mL (custom optional) |
| Linearity |
R² > 0.999 |
| Resolution |
1 cells/mL |
| Operating Temperature |
0–50°C |
| Maximum Water Depth |
30 m |
| Ingress Protection |
IP68 |
| Communication Interface |
RS-485, MODBUS protocol |
| Power Supply |
DC 5–12V, >500mA |
| Power Consumption |
0.2W (standby)；0.6W (cleaning) |
| Sensor Dimensions |
Φ45mm × 190.8mm |
| Cable Length |
10m (standard, customizable) |
| Calibration Method |
Two-point Calibration (factory-calibrated) |
| Body Material |
316L(Ti) Stainless Steel |
5. Applications
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Surface Water Quality Monitoring
Suitable for lakes, reservoirs and rivers to track blue-green algae changes and support eutrophication control and algal bloom early warning.
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Drinking Water Intake Protection
Deployed at water plant intakes to monitor sudden algae proliferation, optimize water treatment processes and ensure drinking water safety.
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Wastewater Treatment Plants
Monitors algae in biochemical pools and discharge water to evaluate treatment efficiency and meet environmental discharge standards.
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Aquaculture Operations
Provides real-time algae warning to avoid aquaculture losses caused by toxic cyanobacterial blooms.
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Environmental Research & Monitoring Networks
Supports long-term ecological investigation and water environment dynamic data collection.
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Industrial Process Water Monitoring
Inhibits algae growth in cooling water and industrial circulating water to prevent equipment biofouling.
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Marine & Coastal Monitoring
Applied to estuaries and coastal waters for ecological risk early warning and water environment management.
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Smart City Water Management
Connected to smart water platforms to realize digital management of urban landscape water and public water areas.
