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Measurement and Testing
Te Secrets of Gas Analysis with Tunable Diode Lasers
The ability to determine the moisture concentration and other problem gases in process streams has become increasingly vital to plant safety, improving process efficiency and to preserve plant assets in refineries and chemical processing industries. Among the most significant of the technologies to advance such detection and measurement is the tunable diode laser (TDL) based absorption spectroscopy gas analysers.
Reader Reply Card No 209
A company can now offer the UK market a system which has seen a rapid growth in the natural gas industry in the USA. The development of today's extractive TDL is the culmination of sophisticated research by NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory for use on Mars. The use of TDL technology makes it possible to greatly alleviate the problems of using older technologies.
It is an optical system that uses a laser to produce a specific wavelength of light tuned to an absorption line, the known light frequency of the "target" gas. This technique produces an analyser with a fast response speed, where the laser light stimulates vibrations and rotation in the molecule, resulting in energy absorption, thereby enabling the sensing of water vapour and other gases. Gas concentration is calculated by measuring the difference in the amount of light received via the tunable diode laser (TDL) analyser's built-in detector.
IMA Limited (UK) represent SpectraSensors (USA) in the UK and Paul Stockwell, MD of IMA Ltd, says “We have seen an improvement in user confidence since these analysers were introduced by SpectraSensors a few years ago. We believe that their fast, accurate response and low maintenance has contributed significantly to the rapid growth in market share we have seen in recent years”.
Essentially, the TDL analyser system design uses an extractive type sample system.
With its condensed design, the extractive TDL analyser is small enough to permit convenient installation virtually anywhere in a plant. The long optical path of the cell enables highly sensitive measurements of trace gases in small volumes. The advantage of the extractive TDL is its ability to measure trace levels for process control where fast response enables control not previously possible.
Reader Reply Card No Portable Infrared Analyser Provides Fast, Easy Low Level Biodiesel Detection
Wilks Enterprise (USA) is pleased to announce the availability of the InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer, with a new flow-through sample system, for accurate on-site measurement of biodiesel in diesel fuel down to 100 ppm in less than five minutes. The Wilks InfraSpec Spectrometer provides an easy and quick check for biodiesel contamination at a price significantly lower than other analytical instruments.
The InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer, Model EB, is able to check for fuel contamination in less than five minutes by an operator with minimal training. It eliminates the need to wait for measurement results from an off-site laboratory. The InfraSpec Spectrometer incorporates a flow-through sample system and integrated syringe pump with automatic software controls for all pumping actions.
Currently, the ASTM Method D 975 allows up to 5% biodiesel in diesel without the requirement for biodiesel content labeling. For some diesel fuel applications, the presence of even a little biodiesel is a major concern. Pipeline operators are concerned that a diesel shipment could unknowingly contain biodiesel and cause ‘trail-back” where trace amounts of biodiesel clinging to the walls of the pipe can end up in future diesel fuel shipments. Emergency diesel generator operators, such as nuclear power plants, who store fuels for long periods, are also concerned that the presence of biodiesel could cause bacterial growth which clogs fuel filters and can shut down a generator just when it is needed most.
The InfraSpec Spectrometer is compact, portable and has a simplified PC interface that gives the user the capability to measure on-site at a pipeline, nuclear power plant, or at a manufacturing facility as well as in the laboratory – anywhere fast, easy biodiesel detection is required.
Reader Reply Card No New Analogue Process Meter
Dwyer Instruments, Inc., (USA) is announcing the release of its new Series APM Analogue Process Meter.
The Series APM has a unique, rugged, NEMA 4X front panel design that makes it nearly impenetrable in typical applications. The weatherproof, UV resistant, large, dual line display allows for more information making it easier to read and simpler to program. The intensity of the display can be adjusted allowing this meter to be utilised in dark rooms as well as outdoors, due to its sunlight readable display. It features up to eight visual alarm set points to trigger certain events and three function keys which can be programmed to provide direct menu access. With up to four relays available, the APM features latching, non-latching, sampling, pump alteration control, and a failsafe action. Offering programmable delay time, this meter prevents recognition of false maximum or minimum reading which may be caused by the start-up or unusual process events. The APM provides three security passwords that restrict modification of programmed settings. This unit has the ability to obtain non-linear input signals and linearise them with simple to use math functions such as square-root extractor, weirs and flumes exponential lineariser, horizontal round tank lineariser or general purpose 32-point lineariser. Unit accepts 0 to 20 mA, 4 to 20 mA, 0 to 5 V, or ±10V inputs and requires 85-265 VAC or 12/24 VDC power supply. Choose from RS-232, RS-422/485 serial communication options or any available expansion modules, accessories, and enclosures.
The APM is a 1/8 DIN digital panel meter specifically designed for displaying flow rate and total from a flow meter with an analogue output such as 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 10V. The APM is particularly well-suited for flow applications and can be programmed for a wide variety of display configurations. The upper line can display either flow rate, total or grand total, and the lower line can display flow rate, total, grand total, or engineering units. sIt is possible to display either flow rate and total at the same time, a very unique feature on a 1/8 DIN digital panel.
Reader Reply Card No Reader Reply Card No 161 162 160 159
Annual Buyers’ Guide 2011
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