Sulphuric acid and oleum monitoring.

Conventional monitoring of sulfuric acid and oleum is carried out in many production facilities with manual sampling. These samples are then analysed in the laboratory and a result is available a few hours later. In production, fast and accurate monitoring of the concentration is of great importance, as this influences the quality. It is precisely this determination of the concentration that can be ideally realized by means of sonic velocity with very high measuring accuracy. 

It is a challenge for many users that although sulfuric acid and oleum occur in the same part of the plant, identification with a physical quantity alone is not possible. Therefore, empirical values have to be used, which can lead to major problems in case of a wrong decision. For this reason, the combination of two physical measurands for product identification has proven to be advantageous.

By using a feature specially developed for this requirement, switching between the areas is fully automated with the LiquiSonic® measuring system from SensoTech GmbH. The concentrations are determined with a specially developed calculation model, displayed and, if desired, passed on to a process control system. Compared to the separate inline measurement of both components, the simultaneous inline measurement has clear advantages. While the respective calculation model must be selected for individual measurements, this work step is completely omitted. This has the advantage that the concentrations, especially around the switchover point, can be determined exactly at any time and in a matter of seconds. Manual identification and switching are no longer necessary.

If necessary, the maintenance-free measuring system LiquiSonic® offers the possibility of adjusting the calculation model to emerging additional components, gas bubbles and other disturbing factors. The device can thus be used very flexibly and adapted to changing process conditions.

The simultaneous monitoring of sulfuric acid and oleum with LiquiSonic® thus revolutionises the workflow in production plants. By saving time-consuming and inaccurate sampling with the help of simultaneous inline measurement, an increase in efficiency is possible immediately after installation of the measuring system.

#SensoTech @PresseBox #PAuto 

First transmitter-style gas chromatograph.

Emerson’s Rosemount 700XA gas chromatograph reduces costs by as much as 50% and footprint by as much as 40% for natural gas applications

The Rosemount™ 700XA gas chromatograph (GC) from Emerson,  is the industry’s first single-analyser solution to provide measurement of sulphur compounds as well as energy content of natural gas, delivering a cost-effective approach to meet gas quality and heating value requirements for pipeline distribution, processing of liquified natural gas (LNG), mixed and high-purity natural gas liquids (NGLs), as well as international LNG commerce. It also satisfies operational and safety standards that protect pipelines, processing facilities, distribution systems and workers using a single, compact, transmitter-style GC.

While previous generations of gas chromatographs have required the purchase of separate analysers for sulphur measurement and heating value analysis, the new Rosemount 700XA gas chromatograph is equipped with a micro flame photometric detector (FPD) allowing customers to reduce initial equipment cost by as much as 50% and footprint requirements by up to 40%.

The field-mountable and transmitter-type configuration of the Rosemount 700XA makes it a far more flexible gas chromatograph because it allows close-to-tap mounting, reducing sample lines and delivering faster response. In addition, the 700XA is a Class 1, Division 1, explosion-proof, ATEX/IECEX safety-rated analyser, eliminating instrument air requirements for purging or the need for additional protection. This enhances the analyser’s safety profile and allows it to fit in challenging, space-constrained environments without costly infrastructure, delivering significant installation and operational savings.

“It is critical to measure hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and other mercaptans to meet quality specifications in natural gas purity applications, protect pipelines from corrosion and meet contractual agreements. Any uncontrolled variance can have costly impacts for the suppliers and processing plants, including shutdowns,” said Asad Tahir, product management director for Rosemount gas chromatographs at Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. “Using traditional H2S analysers that rely on lead acetate tape with mechanical systems and short-lived sensors requires a great deal of maintenance, cost and proper handling of lead. In addition, needing two standalone analysers to measure the sulphur and provide heating value analysis separately is a wasteful strategy for operators. That’s why Emerson is providing customers with what they need – a single, compact, cost-effective solution that measures both.”

The Rosemount 700XA GC is not only a practical solution to hydrogen sulphide and energy content measurement, it can also provide hydrocarbon dew point calculations for accurate energy content reporting in two-phase gas flow streams, as well as deliver speciation and quantification of total sulphur compounds to trace levels. This allows operators to replace up to four analysers with one gas chromatograph in specific applications, simplifying the scope of analysers and reducing overall cost and footprint.

@EMR_Automation @Rosemount_News @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis #PAuto 

Safe sulphur recovery.

A dedicated sulfur recovery unit webpage has been launched by Applied Analytics™ [AAI], to provide clients with a clear picture of the solutions we can provide. The webpage includes a process flow diagram of the sulfur recovery unit and calls out the measurement points of interest with descriptions and pictures of our equipment.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a byproduct of processing natural gas and high-sulphur crude oil. At low concentrations, H₂S has an odor much like rotten eggs, is corrosive and fatal at concentrations greater than 500 ppmvl. This extremely dangerous byproduct must be closely monitored and the amount of H₂S released to the atmosphere must be minimised.

A Sulfur Recovery Plant serves to convert H₂S in an incoming gas stream into elemental sulphur where it can be stored or repurposed. Sulphur recovery plants are required to recover 95 to 99.99% of the total sulfur that is introduced into the plant. Emissions regulations are becoming more stringent with each year that passes, which is why high-quality industrial analysis equipment in Sulphur Recovery Plants is of major importance. Applied Analytics Inc. manufactures analytical solutions used to control and optimize the operation of the sulfur recovery unit including measurements in the sour/acid gas inlet, Claus tail gas, tail gas treatment unit (TGTU) and sulphur pit.

@AAInc #PAuto