HORIBA Advanced Techno Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “HORIBA Advanced Techno”) is pleased to announce the launch of the HC-200N Ammonia･Nitrate Nitrogen Meter on October 1, further strengthening its portfolio of industrial water quality monitoring systems. HC-200N is a product used in water quality control at wastewater treatment plants and excreta treatment plants, and is capable of continuous real-time measurement of ammonia nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen concentration in wastewater.This enables precise optimization of the aeration amount*1 in biological reaction tanks*2 and chemical dosing in treatment processes, contributing to reduced power consumption and operational costs through improved operational efficiency of wastewater treatment equipment.
Massive electric power consumption for wastewater treatment is an issue at water treatment facilities including wastewater treatment plants, creating a demand for energy saving solutions. In particular, controlling the aeration amount in microbial purification processes greatly affects the amount of electric power consumption. Therefore, the level of ammonia nitrogen, one of the substances that need to be removed, is an important index to be monitored.
The newly developed nitrate nitrogen sensor incorporates HORIBA’s proprietary double-layer protective film, shielding the electrodes from corrosion caused by sludge and microorganisms and ensuring outstanding durability. Additionally, optimizing the constituents of the electrode fill solution maintains sensor stability for approximately six months*3. The automatic ultrasonic cleaner, an optional accessory, enables continuous sensor cleaning. Sensors equipped with a deterioration diagnosis function*4 constantly monitor the state of deterioration of electrodes, helping to lessen the maintenance burden.
Kentaro Inoue, the business owner of the water business at HORIBA Advanced Techno, says, “Since launching our first ammonia nitrogen meter in 2016, our excellent durable and stable monitoring systems have achieved top market share*5 in the Japanese industrial water quality analytical instruments market and expanded to overseas water treatment facilities. In recent years, with the growing interest in environmental impact and cost reduction, there is an increasing demand for sensing a wider variety of nitrogen contents in wastewater with higher accuracy. In order to address such needs, we have developed the new HC-200N that can measure not only ammonia nitrogen, but also simultaneously measure nitrate-nitrogen, which is generated by nitrification*6 of ammonia nitrogen. Through the water and liquid measurement technology that the HORIBA group has cultivated over the past 70 years, we will continue to respond to a diversified and broadened range of needs in the future development of wastewater treatment technology.”
*1 Amount of air or oxygen pumped into water. This is done to supply oxygen, so that the microorganisms in the biological reaction tanks can efficiently break down organic matter.
*2 Equipment to purity wastewater and excreta using microorganisms
*3 Results of verification when wiping maintenance is performed once a month. Results may differ depending on usage and conditions.
*4 The deterioration diagnosis function is only available in ammonia nitrogen sensors.
*5 As of September 2025 (according to internal sources)
*6 Nitrification/denitrification: nitrification is the oxidization of ammonia-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen carried out with the participation of microorganisms. After nitrification, the nitrate-nitrogen is decomposed (denitrification) into harmless nitrogen gas, again by microorganisms, and is released into the atmosphere.
