Interchangeable tip-open cell fluorometer

A method of fluorometrically detecting fluorophores present in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a fluorometer, the fluorometer comprising
• a housing and a fluorometric probe tip interchangeably connected to the housing, the probe tip including a probe tip housing defining an open cell and enclosing a probe optical arrangement, the probe optical arrangement including an excitation source and a fluorescence detector wherein the excitation source is aimed at the fluorescence detector such that a sample in the open cell can be fluorometrically detected;
• b) providing one or more samples derived from a natural or industrial process stream;
• c) using the fluorometer to detect the fluorescent signals of the fluorophores in the samples;
• and
• d) operating a controller in such a way that the fluorescent signals detected by the fluorometer are used by the controller to monitor and/or control the natural or industrial process from which the samples are taken.