MISCO Digital Handheld Refractometer

Refractometer for Salt Brine, Liquid Road Deicer, Anti-icer, and Pre-Treat

Safe application depends on knowing the concentration or freezing point of liquid road deicer.

In regions that experience low temperatures, the prevention and removal of snow and ice from road surfaces is an essential safety measure. Treatment of road surfaces with solid sodium chloride (road salt) continues to be the predominant method for deicing and anti-icing roads. There has been a trend towards applying a liquid salt brine solution, or liquid road deicer, to roadways for deicing, anti-icing, and pre-treatment in more recent years.

The popularity and success of liquid road deicers continue to increase. However, if the salt brine solution’s concentration is too low, it may do more harm than good. A quick test with a MISCO digital refractometer will instantly and accurately measure concentration, saturation, or freezing point. If you are mixing or applying liquid salt brine to roads, a refractometer represents the best method of ensuring the proper concentration for safe application.

Pre-Configured Refractometers

Easy Order: Here are a few of the most popular Scale Combinations and Refractometer Models. If you require different programming, you can mix and match scales through the Flexible Custom Programming section below, or call customer service for assistance:

Flexible Custom Programming Options

MISCO Palm Abbe Digital Refractometers can be custom-programmed with up to 5 scales to your exact specifications. There are two easy online options to create your customized units from hundreds of measurement scales:

“Build Your Own” Tool

  1. Use the Industry, Application and Fluid filters to quickly find your scales.
  2. Click scale boxes to add scales to your device.
  3. Select Accessories
  4. Add To Cart

Order Refractometer by Scale#

  1. Browse the refractometer scale options in the dropdown tabs below and record the scale numbers you want.
  2. Type in your scale numbers on the Order by Scale# page.
  3. Select Accessories
  4. Add To Cart

Calcium Chloride Freeze °C

Scale# 083
UoM: Freeze Point °C
Range: 0 to -54
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Calcium Chloride Freeze °F

Scale# 082
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: +32 to -65
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Calcium Chloride g/100 grams

Scale# 085
UoM: g/100 grams
Range: 0 to 40
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Calcium Chloride % w/w

Scale# 080
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 40
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Calcium Chloride (D20/20)

Scale# 081
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20)
Range: 1.000 to 1.3957
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Calcium Chloride (ppt)

Scale# 084
UoM: Parts Per Thousands (ppt)
Range: 0 to 400
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 1

Magnesium Chloride % w/w

Scale# 086
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 30
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Magnesium Chloride (D20/20)

Scale# 087
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20)
Range: 1.000 to 1.276
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Magnesium Chloride (ppt)

Scale# 090
UoM: Parts Per Thousands (ppt)
Range: 0 to 300
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 1

Magnesium Chloride Freeze °C

Scale# 089
UoM: Freeze Point °C
Range: 0 to -33
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Magnesium Chloride Freeze °F

Scale# 088
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: +32 to -27.4
Resolution: 1
Precision: 2

Magnesium Chloride g/100 grams

Scale# 091
UoM: g/100 grams
Range: 0 to 30g
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Sodium Chloride % Saturation

Scale# 168
UoM: % Saturation
Range: 0 to 100
Resolution: 1
Precision: 0.5

Sodium Chloride %w/w

Scale# 074
UoM: %w/w
Range: 0 to 26
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Sodium Chloride (D20/20)

Scale# 075
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20)
Range: 1.000 to 1.208
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sodium Chloride (g/cm3)

Scale# 163
UoM: Density (g/cm3)
Range: 0.998 to 1.202
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sodium Chloride (ppt)

Scale# 078
UoM: Parts Per Thousands (ppt)
Range: 0 to 26.4
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 1

Sodium Chloride Baume (20°C)

Scale# 702
UoM: Baume (20°C)
Range: 0 to 25
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: .1

Sodium Chloride Freeze °C

Scale# 077
UoM: Freeze Point °C
Range: 0 to -21
Resolution: 1
Precision: 0.5

Sodium Chloride Freeze °F

Scale# 076
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: 32 to -6
Resolution: 1
Precision: .5

Sodium Chloride g/100 grams

Scale# 079
UoM: g/100 grams
Range: 0 to 26.4
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Selected Resource

Measuring Sodium Chloride Salt Brine Solutions with a Refractometer.

Download Our FREE Guide

Refractometer Platform Choices

Inline-Process Refractometer:

The above scales are also available on any MISCO inline process refractometer or concentration sensors. They are made for continuous concentration measurement of process fluids.

MISCO Handheld Digital Refractometer:

MISCO has the most extensive refractometer scale library on the planet. Don't see what you want? Browse by handheld refractometer model or by refractometer application. Or give us a call. We can help!

From our Q&A Forum

Deicing (5)

What are all the different salt scales used for? I need to measure salinity content but don’t know what scale I need.

Chemically, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. There are several varieties of salts containing chlorides, acetates, fluorides, and sulfates. The most common salt is sodium chloride (NaCl) or regular table salt. Although we have a refractometer scale that will measure most common salts, we also have an extensive list of scales for sodium chloride. You may select from scales for measuring sodium chloride concentration in percent by weight, specific gravity, freeze point, parts per thousand (ppt), g/100g, density, percent saturation, and even Baume. The most common units of measure are percent by weight, percent saturation, and freeze point. The scale that is correct for you depend on what unit of measure you are most interested in. Multiple salt scales can be programed into the MISCO Palm Abbe digital refractometer so you can just change between different units of measure as your needs change. MISCO also has scales available for the salinity of seawater.

I am looking for an refractometer to measure & control concentration of salt brine preparation for road deicing (at 23.3 %). Is your refractometer applicable to this service?

We have two options for your brine maker. First, is the Palm Abbe digital refractometer with scales for sodium chloride (NaCl). Scales are available for salt concentration as percent by weight, parts per thousand (ppt), or percent (%) saturation. There are also scales available for testing the freeze point of your brine solution. We also have scales available for measuring calcium chloride, urea, and magnesium chloride as well. The Palm Abbe can have up to five different scales so one refractometer can measure the concentration of all your deicing fluids. The second option, would be installing an inline refractometer on your brinemaker to monitor salt brine concentration in real-time. A 4 to 20 mA on the inline can be wired to a PLC and can open or close valves to draw off salt brine when it is at the proper concentration. The inline unit can measure sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride.

Sodium Chloride Salt Brine Refractometer Salomete-; Sodium Chloride Salt Brine-Percent Saturation- Freeze Point in °C – MISCO Digital Refractometer

Sodium Chloride Salt Brine Refractometer Salometer- Sodium Chloride Salt Brine- Percent Saturation- Freeze Point in °F -MISCO Digital Refractometer

Full question

We just purchased a MISCO digital salometer for measuring sodium chloride concentration. We have a process that needs to mix DI water with Sodium Chloride (NaCl) to 100% saturation. I am hoping that the meter I have bought is the correct version for this job?

The MISCO Digital Salometer is a refractometer that measures the percent saturation of sodium chloride (NaCl) salt in water. The refractometer will display the percent saturation of sodium chloride from 0 to 100% as well as display the freeze point of the solution in either Fahrenheit or Celsius (model dependent). A digital Salometer overcomes many of the problems associated with traditional analog Salometers. Traditional Salometers are cumbersome to use and time consuming. They are simply a glass or plastic hydrometer with a special scale that displays degrees SAL instead of specific gravity. In use, the traditional Salometer is floated in a graduated cylinder containing salt brine. The reading is taken at the point at which the surface of the fluid crosses the analog scale divisions; the temperature must then be read with a thermometer, followed by a manual temperature correction of the reading.

There is no method for field calibrating the apparatus; it is difficult to resolve the tiny scale divisions; it must be thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent salt residue from influencing subsequent readings; and it is easily broken. The MISCO Digital Salometer is much easier to use and much more accurate. Simply place a couple of drops of sodium chloride solution on the measuring surface, close the evaporation cover, and press the button to initiate the readings. The percent saturation is displayed nearly instantly on the large LCD display.

Products

Sodium Chloride Salt Brine Refractometer Salometer,  Sodium Chloride Salt Brine , Percent Saturation , Freeze Point in °C

Sodium Chloride Salt Brine Refractometer Salometer,; Sodium Chloride Salt Brine,; Percent Saturation Freeze Point in °F

 

We have a pool with 18% salt (a mixture of NaCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2). Is there a digital device [refractometer] that can measure the % of salt in the water?

I have some concerns about your ability to measure percent salt in a multi-component mixture with a refractometer. You see, refractometers are very good at measuring binary (two-part) mixtures such as sodium chloride and water, where the refractive index value of water is a constant (static or known) and sodium chloride is the variable. However, when there are many different components in a solution, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2), it is difficult to tell what the contribution is that each component makes to the total refractive index.

So, if the refractive index changes, it is impossible to say, with any certainty, which of the component parts has changed. Since a refractometer only measures the total refractive index of a solution and cannot selectively read the refractive index of one particular component. All water soluble fluids look the same to the refractometer. Therefore it will be impossible to get a reading that is meaningful.

The Palm Abbe refractometer does have scales for binary solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2), but cannot measure a mixture of all three.

I’m interested in testing calcium chloride (CaCl2) at a 30% concentration. This would be to verify identity of totes. Is this possible with a refractometer?

The MISCO Palm Abbe digital refractometer can be programmed to measure calcium chloride. In fact there are several calcium chloride scales that can be programmed into the Palm Abbe refractometer to measure calcium chloride percent by weight, grams/ 100 grams, ppt, density, specific gravity, and freeze point in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. All of the Calcium Chloride scales can measure the equivalent of 0 to 40% w/w, with the exception of the freeze point scales which measure to the maximum freeze point.

Categories: Chemicals, Deicing