Understanding Fluorescent Dyes
Using fluorescent dyes for leak tracing has a variety of benefits. Still, if you are new to using tracer dyes, you might have some concerns about jumping in headfirst without understanding all your options and applications. We’re here to help.
At Kingscote Chemicals, we manufacture a complete line of fluorescent tracer dye products to make your work more efficient and productive. In general, fluorescent dyes offer a greater apparent color contrast than non-fluorescent dyes. Even in the same color family, fluorescent dyes will always be slightly more vivid.
Some other common reasons to choose fluorescent dyes of non-fluorescent options include:
- When fluorometer measures require more precise and quantitative data
- When you are only allowed to add small dye amounts to the body of water
- When lighting is poor and will decrease the visibility of the tracer dyes
Fluorescent Dye Applications
Unlike non-fluorescent dyes, fluorescent tracing dyes can be used for visual, ultraviolet, and fluorometric inspections. For water that is opaque, fuzzy, or yellowed due to algae growth, a fluorescent dye is beneficial in helping to ensure you can visually see any issues and correct them as soon as possible.
Some of the most common dye tracing applications include:
- Checking for illegal tapping
- Pipe tracing or plumbing tracing
- Pollution studies
- Water tracing
- Stormwater drainage and sewer analysis
- Water flow analysis
- Flow, dilution, dispersion rate studies
- Pipeline hydro testing
- Trace cross-connections
- Short-circuiting
- Fluorometric dye tests
- And more
Fluorescent Dye Product Features
Not all fluorescent dyes are created equally. By understanding the characteristics you should be looking for when it comes to fluorescent dyes, you can ensure you make the right choice from the start. We realize that when it comes to water tracing, efficiency is vital. Water conservation efforts are critical and time is of the essence.
At Kingscote Chemicals, we manufacture fluorescent dyes in various forms to best accommodate your specific needs.
For small amounts of water, the Bright Dyes® tablets are clean and easy to use. And for added convenience, no measuring is required to use them. Ideal for smaller bodies of water, one tablet will provide strong visuals in 60 gallons of water. These fluorescent dyes may be dropped or flushed directly into a drain, sewer, septic system, etc., where they dissolve in about 3-5 minutes. Or, they may be dissolved in a small amount of water first.
For larger bodies of water, Bright Dyes® powder or Bright Dyes® liquid concentrate may be more suitable for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, one pint of liquid fluorescent dye will provide a strong visual in 10,000 gallons of water.
In the situation of a long-term flow study, Bright Dyes® wax products such as cakes, cones, or donuts may be appropriate. One pound of powder fluorescent dye will provide strong visuals in 120,000 gallons of water.
Kingscote Chemicals Bright Dyes® Color Options
When it comes to choosing the right color for your fluorescent dyes, Kingscote Chemicals has you covered. Our tablets, liquids, powders, and wax dyes all come in several color options to help you get the best and most vivid water studies.
Color options for our Bright Dyes® products include:
Ready to start using fluorescent dyes? Trust Kingscote Chemicals to be your primary source for safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable options that meet all EPA standards.