Leak-free Oxygen Sensor.

Design changes have been implimented by Alphasense to its O2-A2 and O2-A3 oxygen sensors which sees both models now being guaranteed 100% leak free. The new leak-free design delivers a step-change in high-temperature and humidity resistance, providing customers with a sensor solution which will not leak, even under the most arduous of applications.

The superior performance of the new sensor designs has been proven through an extensive program of accelerated life testing, during which the new sensor designs outlasted similar sensors from other manufacturers by up to 10 x when tested to destruction.

The benefits of these new zero-failure sensors extend beyond reduced sensor replacement costs but play a critical role in reducing instrument failure rates, a common side-effect of sensor leakage. Negating instrument failures due to leakage reduces instrument downtime, improves site efficiency and removes the need for scheduled replacement in order to tail off potential leakage. With extended life comes reduced environmental impact, lower maintenance costs and instruments which are more likely to be favoured by end users.

Uniquely, the patent pending Alphasense O2-A2 and O2-A3 are fully sealed to prevent leakage, unlike many ‘low-cost’ sensors which incorporate vents in order to manage rather than prevent spills.

The new models presents a superior offering under the same part number, preventing the need for certification, administrative or firmware changes.

@AlphaSenseInc @codacomms #PAuto

Reduce emissions & increasing capacity in polyester plant.

Improving safety at a newly expanded purified terephthalic acid (PTA) facility at Merak (RI).

INEOS Aromatics Indonesia has completed $70 million of upgrades at its facilities in Indonesia, to significantly reduce emissions and increase capacity, which includes the installation of two vent gas analyzer systems from Servomex. These were designed in conjunction with INEOS to deliver enhanced safety and control of the oxidation reactor.

Each gas analyzer system includes a pressure reduction pre-sample conditioner enclosure and a SERVOTOUGH OxyExact 2200 – a high specification O² analyzer which offers an unrivaled combination of precision, flexibility and performance for optimum process and safety control.

Installing the larger oxidation reactor, reconfiguring the reactor’s heat recovery system and revamping the process air compressor train is expected to reduce the site’s CO² emissions per ton by 15 per cent. The move should also increase site capacity by 15 per cent from 500,000 tonnes to 575,000 tonnes per annum.

The project was successfully secured and delivered by Project Manager Ernesto Torres and Design Engineering Lead Cole Harbour.

Shelley Moore, Global Head of Systems at Servomex, said: “Our highly-valued team members of the Systems Engineering group based at Texas ensured the highest quality design and build of the systems and completed the project ahead of schedule to the delight of our customer. With the continued international strategic approach to winning and executing projects, Servomex is on track to continue satisfying customers and achieving our company goals.”

INEOS Aromatics Indonesia president director, Frank Yang added: “This new, multi-million dollar investment shows our commitment to its future growth. Installing the larger oxidation reactor supports INEOS’s commitment to producing essential products while reducing emissions to net-zero by 2050.”

The Merak plant has played an important part in the growth of the Indonesian polyester industry. It became part of INEOS as part of its $5 billion acquisition of the BP Petrochemicals business in January 2021. 

@Servomex @INEOS @codacomms #PAuto #Indonesia

Replacement oxygen sensor selector tool.

Analytical Industries Inc’s new online replacement oxygen sensor selector tool has been updated with a wider range of industrial electrochemical oxygen sensors. The company’s electrochemical oxygen sensors are renowned for their quality and performance, offering excellent accuracy and stability.

They are used by customers around the world to monitor safety, ensure quality and save energy in a host of industrial processes.

As well as providing sensors for their own range of industrial oxygen analyzers, Analytical Industries also produces replacement oxygen sensors for oxygen instrumentation from other manufacturers – such as AMI, Teledyne and GE.

This replacement industrial oxygen sensors selector tool makes it easy to find the correct sensor for analysers, searching either by manufacturer or model number. After selecting the correct sensor model and placing the order, replacement sensors are delivered in days.

@AII_GasAnalysis #Pauto

Safe valves for oxygen.

Valve specialist Goetze is offering its customers a unique safety valve with swivel body outlet for gaseous oxygen and oxygen mixed gases.

Safety valves specially used for applications with oxygen are needed in multiple industries. Particularly in the production of technical gases, medical gases, by compressor manufacturers as well as component manufacturers and plant manufacturers.

Oxygen handling requires extreme care as regards all materials, sealing materials and lubricants used and in contact with oxygen to prevent application risks. Goetze takes account of these requirements: By offering a production process specifically designed for oxygen valves. They are installed in a separate, isolated CLEAN room, which is pressurised with conditioned air at 20 millibar, so that the ingress of particles and contamination from the outside is avoided. Qualified and trained staff, compliance with all relevant codes and regular process monitoring of oil and grease-free cleaning, installation, inspection, packaging and labelling grant customers an oxygen-compliant valve for their applications.

Optimum material selection, the appropriate studies by the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung (BAM, Federal Agency for Materials Research and Testing), as well as inspections by C.T.E. (Air Liquide) exclude all possibilities of an oxygen reaction (burnout). A special property of the Goetze safety valve 492GOX is that it was explicitly inspected and approved for oxygen with adiabatic pressure shocks in a range between 50 bar and 420 bar at 60 °C.

The compact design and the swivelled body outlet allowing for adjusting the valve position even after installation, make the safety valve 492GOX to an innovative gain for the Goetze product portfolio.

#Goetze #PAuto #Medical

Oxygen analysis in boilers.

Michell Instruments has announced the launch of the XZR250 oxygen analyzer for monitoring combustion control in industrial boilers. It was developed to meet customer demand for a cost-effective, easy to operate instrument with a probe designed to cope with the high temperatures in the flue. Effective combustion control has growing importance for operators as it not only helps increase fuel efficiency but also ensures compliance with legislation on allowable emissions.

The XZR250 uses a zirconium-oxide sensor with a life span of up to seven years (depending on the fuel used) to maintenance to a minimum. A key benefit of the sensor is its fast response of less than fifteen seconds to changes in oxygen concentrations of 90% of the range. It is also accurate to less than 0.25% O2  allowing optimum combustion control.

The instrument is easy to install as it requires no specialised tools, it is also very light to handle and has a fast start-up routine. The probe can be inserted directly into boilers up to 700°C and uses the Pitot effect to ensure the sample gas is sufficiently cooled to protect the sensor from damage without the need for complex sample conditioning. As with any process instrument, regular calibration is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the measurements. It can use air as a calibration gas, making calibration highly cost effective and simple to perform.

The robust sensor ensures maintenance is minimal, but when it does need replacing, this can be done with minimal process downtime. The company has extended its popular sensor exchange programme for dew-point transmitters to customers of the XZR250. Under this scheme, operators order a new sensor block from Michell, which arrives ready to fit. Once fitted, the old sensor block can be returned in the same box and the customer receives a credit.

Typical applications for the XZR250 include oil, gas and biomass boilers.

• Michell products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

Trace oxygen analyser.

The XZR400 oxygen analyser from Michell Instruments is designed to measure trace levels of oxygen in pure, inert gases such as nitrogen, argon, helium and carbon dioxide. Capable of detecting oxygen down to 0.01 parts per million, the analyzer is used to ensure the purity of gas produced by cryogenic air separation.

The XZR400 uses Michell’s MSRS zirconium oxide oxygen sensor, which contains a metallic sealed reference and ensures long-term repeatability of measurements. The MSRS means that no reference air is required. The technology is non-depleting which gives the sensors a long life span of over seven years. Calibration is required every three to six months and can be carried out with just one calibration gas saving time and money.

The XZR400 range features four configurations: rack, wall, bench mount and transportable. All models include an intuitive touch-screen interface for quick and easy operation, barometric pressure and digital flow meters as standard. One or two 4-20 mA outputs are available and other options include digital outputs such as Modbus RTU over RS485 protocol, RS232, internal or external sample pumps and process pressure correction.

• Michell Instruments are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

@Michell_Inst #Pauto 

Digital Oxygen analyser.

The SERVOPRO MonoExact DF310E, recently launched by Servomex, is next generation digital oxygen analyzer that combines a highly stable trace-level measurement with enhanced performance and operational benefits.

Jim Belanger, Global Market Sector Manager at Servomex, explains: “Listening to our IG customers, we have developed a next generation platform that delivers the functionality, ease of use, low maintenance and low cost of ownership they require for efficiencies across their operations. Customers benefit from new control and maintenance benefits, while training requirements are minimized, re-testing and requalification problems are avoided and products meet the high standards of global supply agreements.”

Designed into a new platform created specifically for the industrial gas market, which is easy to operate and to integrate across a wide range of systems, the MonoExact DF310E is optimized for the measurement of trace oxygen in various IG applications including nitrogen, argon and hydrogen production, tanker transfilling, specialty gas blending and electronic gases verification. And while the MonoExact DF310E offers a number of cost saving and operational advantages over its predecessor, the DF-310E, a fully-backwards compatible design makes upgrading to the new analyzer simple for existing DF-310E users.

PPM oxygen measurements are delivered through the highly stable and accurate performance of Servomex’s tried and tested Coulometric sensor, delivering the same precise, accurate oxygen measurement as its predecessor in a more user-friendly platform.

Percentage oxygen measurements are made available through Servomex’s patent non-depleting Paramagnetic sensing technology, and the MonoExact DF310E also offers integration with the forthcoming SERVOTOUGH AquaXact 1688 aluminum oxide (Al2O3) moisture sensor. Available early 2017, the AquaXact 1688 enables two simultaneous measurements for oxygen and moisture, giving users even greater application flexibility.

Operation is simple: the MonoExact DF310E utilizes Servomex’s new advanced touchscreen user interface for immediate and responsive hands-on control via the high brightness display. Intuitive to use, the MonoExact DF310E delivers a simple user journey, with the touchscreen GUI making reporting or adjusting control parameters effortless.

Unprecedented operational flexibility is delivered through extensive compatibility and communications options: the MonoExact DF310E is fully backward-compatible with existing DF-310E installations by offering compatible hardware wiring inputs and gas inlets, and complies with existing standards and customer agreements. The introduction of native digital communications, including Ethernet, Modbus TCP/IP and Profibus alongside the standard analog and digital outputs (4-20mA, RS232 and RS485), means all advanced digital protocols are available for an extensive communication capability.

@Servomex  #PAuto

Digital Oxygen analyser.

Servomex, has launched the SERVOPRO MonoExact DF150E: a next generation digital trace oxygen analyser designed for accurate, stable and reliable performance across a wide range of industrial applications.

Combining Servomex’s Coulometric trace-level measurement into Servomex’s advanced next-generation industrial analyser platform, the MonoExact DF150E’s flexible and simple operation makes it ideal for use in applications as diverse as glove boxes, heat treating, solder reflow ovens, laboratory and industrial gas production.

Operation is simple, with the MonoExact DF150E’s touchscreen graphical interface giving users immediate and intuitive control of all control and reporting parameters. The MonoExact DF150E’s measurement performance is optimized through Servomex’s tried and tested Coulometric sensor – delivering the same accurate oxygen measurement as its predecessor in a even more user-friendly platform.

The MonoExact DF150E is also fully backward-compatible with its forerunner, the DF-150E, offering full connectivity with existing hardware wiring inputs and gas inlets, ensuring full compliance with existing standards and customer agreements. Integration into existing systems is equally simple, with optional built-in 4-20mA output and alarm outputs supported by added Relay I/O.

Jim Belanger, Global Market Sector Manager at Servomex, explains: “The MonoExact DF150E advances and standardises a complete, integrated analysis capability through the latest innovations in software and hardware. This delivers what our customers want: effective functionality, ease of use, low maintenance and a low cost of ownership.”

@Servomex #PAuto 

Oxygen moniter achieves SIL Level 2.

Customers using Servomex’s OxyDetect life safety oxygen monitor can now be further assured of its reliability after the hardware attained Safety Integrity Level 2 certification.

Available as a hazardous or safe area version with updated communication relay and MODBUS options, the recently-launched OxyDetect offers a highly accurate oxygen measurement without the sensor deterioration that degrades the performance of traditional electrochemical sensors used in competitor detectors.

The OxyDetect utilizes the market-leading performance of Servomex’s Hummingbird Paracube Paramagnetic sensor, whose industry-leading levels of linearity, accuracy and reliability have ensured its use as a trusted oxygen sensor for the OEM medical market.

Safety Integrity Level (SIL) is a measurement of performance required for a safety instrumented function. It is defined as a relative level of risk-reduction provided by a safety function, or to specify a target level of risk reduction.

Matt Halsey, Product Manager - Process Oxygen, Zirconia & Oxygen Deficiency said: “SIL is an internationally recognised assessment of reliability. The SIL rating corresponds to the probability that a safety function will work when required to do so. SIL 2 tells us that the hardware will be in a functional state if it is required to do its job.

“SIL hardware compliance makes the OxyDetect easier to integrate into a customer's safety system, and allows us to target key applications in the marketplace.

“It offers customers peace of mind that the OxyDetect is safe.”

In the European functional safety standards based on the IEC 61508 standard, four SIL levels are defined. SIL is determined based on a number of quantitative factors in combination with qualitative factors such as development process and safety life cycle management.

@Servomex #PAuto

Process Oxygen gas monitoring.

Quantitech has prepared a comprehensive White Paper on the measurement of Oxygen gas in furnaces and other industrial processes.

Click to download

Quantitech’s Craig Day says: “Oxygen gas concentration measurements are essential for the effective management of many industrial processes, providing an important indicator of combustion performance, fuel usage and process safety. In many processes, oxygen measurement enables process operators to monitor the progress of chemical reactions; thereby enabling optimisation of product yield.”

The White Paper explores the benefits of oxygen monitoring and examines the technologies available for continuous oxygen monitoring. These include Zirconia and Paramagnetic sensors and Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS).

The relative merits of each technology are discussed and a number of applications for oxygen monitoring are discussed. These include: waste incineration, furnace control, sulphuric acid manufacture, process heaters / FCC regenerator off-gas in refineries, and re-heat furnaces and hot rolling mills in the iron & steel industry.

 @Quantitech #PAuto 

Life safety enhanced through analyser upgrade.

Servomex has launched its upgraded SERVOTOUGH OxyDetect life safety oxygen monitor.

Now available as either a hazardous or safe area version with updated communication relay options, the upgraded OxyDetect builds on the success of the original analyzer, offering a high accurate oxygen measurement - without the sensor deterioration that degrades the performance of traditional electrochemical sensors used in competitor detectors.

OxyDetect utilises the market-leading performance of Servomex’s Hummingbird Paracube Micro Paramagnetic sensor, whose industry-leading levels of linearity, accuracy and reliability have ensured its use as a trusted oxygen sensor for the OEM medical market.

As the Paracube Micro sensor utilizes Servomex’s patent Magnetodynamic Paramagnetic technology, the sensor never depletes and the measurement remains accurate. This avoids false readings and false alarms caused by depleted cells, as well as the serious safety risk caused by life safety systems being turned off or ignored because of constant false alarms.

Alongside these safety and performance benefits, the OxyDetect offers users a considerably lower cost of lifetime ownership. The ongoing costs associated with the regular replacement of electrochemical cells, as well as the recognized problems of cell degradation when in use or kept as a stock item, are eliminated. As the OxyDetect's Paramagnetic measurement stability also eliminates the requirement for frequent calibration, users avoid the labor and downtime costs incurred through regular calibration requirements or replacement due to anticipated cell expiration or sudden failure.

As well as significantly reducing the cost of ownership, the OxyDetect utilizes advanced microprocessor diagnostics that are safe, reliable and easy to access via a simple front panel digital interface. With an output range of 0-25% O2, Servomex OxyDetect can be used for indoor environments ranging from 5°C-45°C. Integration is simple using an isolated 4 – 20mA output with linear measurement, and mains-rated relay outputs for instrument fault, low alarm one and low alarm two. An optional Ethernet output is also available.

Two versions of OxyDetect are available: a General Purpose version suitable for safe area environments such as laboratories, pharmaceutical and industrial gas production; and a Hazardous Area version, suitable for hydrocarbon processing environments.

“The OxyDetect is the life safety product that the market has been waiting for: reliable, stable oxygen sensing that keeps on working,” says Rhys Jenkins, Market Sector Manager, Servomex.

“Paramagnetic oxygen sensing finally brings a measurement performance that facilities and operations managers can truly trust, making the safety of people and plant safer, easier and more cost-effective than ever before.”

@Servomex  #PAuto 

Five year long life Oxygen sensor.

The OLCT 10N is a digital detector, from Oldham, which is designed for commercial or industrial use in ATEX zone 2 or 22 areas or in non- hazardous environments.

The new design is lead free and has an operational life of five years. It carries a 4-year warranty and completes the range of our current 2 year life O2 sensors.

Associated with the MX43 controller, the OLCT 10N makes electrical installation easier with a fieldbus network that allows for up to 30 detectors to be connected on the same line!

@Oldham_Gas  #PAuto 

Accuracy in cryogenic air separation.

The Michell Instruments' XZ400TS series oxygen analyzer has proved itself to be a valuable instrument for quality control in cryogenic air separation. A leading European industrial gas company carried out tests with the instrument and it reliably operated at an accuracy of 0.1ppmV using a 10.5ppmV test gas, with the unit displaying exactly 10.5ppmV. Cyrogenic air separation is used to produce high-purity oxygen, nitrogen, Argon and carbon dioxide. Highly accurate oxygen measurements are a crucial part of the quality assurance process. The XZR400 uses Michell’s MSRS zirconium oxide oxygen sensor, which contains a metallic sealed reference and ensures long-term repeatability of measurements as no reference air is required. Unlike electro-chemical sensors, which require regular replacement, the MSRS sensor of the XZR400 should last in excess of 7 years. Calibration is not needed as frequently either (every 3 – 6 months) and can be carried out with just one calibration gas saving time and money. The XZR400 range features three configurations: rack, wall and bench mount. All models include an intuitive touch-screen interface for quick and easy operation, barometric pressure, digital flow meters and a 4-20mA output as standard.  Options include additional outputs such as Modbus RTU over RS485 protocol, RS232 and process pressure correction. • Michell are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

Updated, highly sensitive and completely safe oxygen analysers.

Servomex has updated its industry-leading DF-500 ultra-trace oxygen analyzer range with performance-enhancing new firmware and an improved user interface.

Widely acknowledged as the industry-standard for ultra-trace O₂ analysis, Servomex’s DF-500 analyzers are optimized for semiconductor, LED and speciality gas applications that depend on exceptional ultra high purity (UHP) gas quality. The DF-550E and DF-560E use a unique Coulometric E-sensor to measure down to 200ppt and 45ppt respectively – the latter the very lowest measurement available to the industry.  Offering unprecedented reliability from large analytical headroom, the DF-500 analyzers offer fast measurement response and quick upstep recovery to avoid running blind when process problems occur. And with the solid-state Coulometric sensor delivering a direct O2 measurement, rather than using unwieldy catalytic processes that require flammable hydrogen to function, the DF-500 series delivers a measurement that is not only highly sensitive but completely safe.

The measurement capability of the DF-500 series has been improved even further by brand new firmware that ensures exceptional low-end stability. Specially designed to eliminate the spurious effects of background noise at very low ppb levels, the resultant performance produces a stable measurement that meets the most demanding requirements.

The DF-500 series has also received an operational upgrade with the incorporation of a new graphical menu interface. Designed to make operation easier by making measurement information more easily accessible, the improved interface gives users additional confidence that that their system is delivering optimum performance. All of the performance and graphical user interface improvements are incorporated into a smart and distinctive new housing.

“In semiconductor and speciality gas markets, the DF-500 series is synonymous with exceptional oxygen measurement accuracy,” said Jim Belanger, Global Product Manager – Trace Products, Servomex. “The new upgrades keep the performance of these analyzers even further ahead of the competition, while making operation even easier than ever – enabling our customers to focus on their applications with even great confidence.’

Bench mount oxygen analyser provides cost savings!

The XZR400BM oxygen analyser is a small and light transportable instrument, capable of taking readings of both trace and percentage oxygen levels. It has been introduced to meet the demands of companies that wish to take routine readings from multiple sample points, and is a highly cost-effective solution. The instrument is capable of taking readings on a low flow rate – just 2 l/h – which means less waste of the sample gas from the process. Based on Michell’s MSRS Zirconia oxygen sensor, the XZR400BM gives fast readings – 11 seconds for T90 – saving the operator working time when collecting field readings. As with all Michell’s XZR range, the instrument is highly stable giving reliable results over a long time. A key benefit of the instrument is its low cost of ownership: unlike electro-chemical sensors, which require regular replacement, the MSRS sensor of the XZR400BM should last in excess of 7 years. Calibration is not needed as frequently either (every 3 – 6 months) and can be carried out with just one calibration gas saving time and money.   The instrument also features an intuitive touch-screen interface to enable fast and easy operation without the need to invest in extensive training. This is useful when multiple operators work with the instrument.  It also has a switch-mode power supply, operating from mains power between 90 and 264 V AC with an IEC cable. At just 6 kg, and with a small foot print, the XZR400BM is both easy to move and also takes up minimal bench space. • Michell products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

Oxygen levels for safety and quality in Swedish biogas production

A major Scandinavian producer of Biogas has selected Michell Instruments’ XTP601 oxygen analysers to monitor O2 levels for safety and quality at two sites in Sweden. The XTP601 Oxygen Analyzer is used to continuously provide readings of the levels of O2 in the process. In general, the lower level of oxygen in these applications should be no more than 0.5%, with a danger level of 4%. The XTP601 has alarms to shut down the plant if oxygen levels approach the danger level to ensure safety. One plant produces biogas from sewage and while the other uses food and garden waste, however the biogas from both plants is used as a transport fuel. Despite the different feedstocks, the process of upgrading the gas for use is the same. The biogas must be upgraded to 95% methane, which will give it a high enough calorific value to produce the energy required for transport fuel. It will also make it highly flammable – which is why it is important to keep levels of oxygen low during the process. The XTP601 provides stable, accurate readings and is capable of measuring oxygen from 0-1% up to 0-50% as well as suppressed zero ranges, such as 90-100%. There are three options for configuration: a transmitter; a transmitter with status LEDs or a full display version. All of these options may be rated for either safe or hazardous area use, with hazardous area classifications available for ATEX, IECEx and CCSAUS. The full display version of the XTP601 has a touch screen interface to enable easy operation without needing to remove the lid. This means that users can calibrate, change settings and interrogate the instrument in the hazardous area without the need for a ‘hot permit’ or permission to carry out work. Menus allow easy access to information on oxygen concentration; analyzer status; a graph showing oxygen trends over a user-defined time period; alarm history; minimum and maximum concentrations and other parameters to aid diagnosis of plant conditions. • Michell instreuments are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

Robust oxygen analyser for combustion control monitors its own “heartbeat”

The XZR200 Oxygen Analyzer from Michell Instruments offers users added peace of mind with a built-in early warning system that alerts operators of any faults with the unit. A 3.3 V DC logic output acts as a ‘heartbeat’ and enables operators to check on the health of the sensor preventing incorrect measurements. False oxygen measurements may result in a faulty combustion process causing higher fuel costs, and leading to loss of revenue or penalties. The XZR200 sensor is highly reliable with up to 7 years life expectancy in clean gases and up to 1 year in very aggressive conditions such as coal fired combustion. The performance of the XZR200 is paired with an affordable price. It is capable of measuring percentage oxygen to better than 1% of span (or 0.5% O2) with ranges of 0-25% and 0-100% available. The easy-to-install analyzer offers four configuration options, with two choices of probe length and two temperature ranges (+250°C/+400°C). The lower temperature range (up to +250°C) is suitable for low-temperature applications such as food and drink packaging, while the higher temperature range of up to +400°C serves combustion control. The product has been designed to integrate seamlessly into existing systems, as no specialist software is required and the RS232 output can be accessed via a PC. • Michell Instruments are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

Oxygen Analyser at crematoria in Australia

A key operator of cremators in Australia has installed Michell Oxygen Analysers at their sites around the country, helping to reduce their consumption of natural gas by 40%.

With its fast reaction to changes in conditions in the chamber, the XZR500 enables the process to be run as efficiently as possible, with the minimum of emissions. In Australia no smoke is allowed to issue from a crematorium, and the reduction in emissions makes it easier for the company to comply with this legislation. Although all the exhaust from the cremation chambers is filtered before being released into the atmosphere, minimal emissions eases this process once again saving costs.

There are two reasons for using oxygen analyzers to control oxygen in cremators: the first is to reduce fuel consumption and the second is to keep emissions to a minimum. Cremators often operate up to 15 hours a day, reaching temperatures of up to 1150°C, so fuel efficiency is a crucial part of keeping costs down. Australia’s Carbon Tax is an added tax on fuel use to further encourage businesses to be fuel efficient for the sake of the environment and to conserve natural resources. The 40% reduction in fuel used by the operator means that the cost of cremations can be kept to affordable levels.

The Michell XZR500 analyzers ensure that the level of oxygen in the chamber is kept at the optimum level for combustion. Too little oxygen means that more fuel is needed, while too much oxygen results in a fast burn, but a high level of emissions such as mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).

The atmosphere with a cremation chamber is highly aggressive so a sensor that is capable of withstanding not only high temperatures but also harsh conditions is important. At the start of the cremation process, there is a lot of moisture present in the chamber. Many chemicals are also released including from clothing, replacement joints and mercury fillings. The Zirconia Metallic Sealed Reference Senor (MSRS) in the XZR500 is designed to withstand these conditions for long periods of time. The semi-insitu design allows non-conditioned (or representative) sampling with minimal installation. The Pitot effect in the sampling probe – where the gas is drawn along the probe as through a chimney – negates the need for aspirator air which is a further saving. The Iconel probe is particularly suitable for the aggressive environment. The sensor has a built-in porous ceramic filter to further protect and prolong the life of the sample cell.

• Michell Instruments is marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology Ltd.

Reducing the cost of oxygen analysis in reactor applications

Pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals are typically produced in batches by mixing several components in a reactor. When the ingredients are mixed with solvents, the void between the top of the reactor and the liquid level can be filled with highly flammable vapours. When combined with oxygen and a potential source of ignition, there can be a risk of explosion.

One way of ensuring that the mixture of air and solvent vapours stays below flammable levels is to use a nitrogen purge. By accurately monitoring the oxygen level in the reactor, the nitrogen feed can be shut down when the O2 level is safe. By ensuring that this level is not exceeded, operational costs are reduced while ensuring that safe operation is maintained.

The Michell Instruments XTP601 oxygen sensor is ideal for this application. Based on thermo-paramagnetic sensor technology, it is ideally suited for determining the level of oxygen in a wide range of background gases. The sensor will operate efficiently under various environmental conditions and is insensitive to mechanical shock. It has very good response time characteristics, has no consumable parts and offers excellent accuracy, for example, 0.02% O2 over a range of 0-1%.

The thermo-paramagnetic sensors used in the XTP601 will last the life of the instrument in normal operation. Features include enhancements such as an integrated touch-screen display that makes configuration and calibration easier. This reduces time spent maintaining the unit, further reducing the total cost of ownership.

It has a very low drift and, with no moving parts, maintenance is minimised. While the initial purchase price is slightly higher than sensors based on electrochemical cell technology, life cycle costs are much lower. This makes the XTP601 process oxygen analyser a popular choice for O2 monitoring in reactors.

Michell Instruments is represented in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

Gas analysers for the food sector

AGC Instruments has introduced the Map-Pak family of Gas Analysers. The O2 Series and the Combi Series are the first in its new product line of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) Analysers.

Designed specifically for the Food Industry, Map-Pak O2 measures the Oxygen content within gas flushed food packages. The measurement range is from 0% to 100% with an accuracy of ±1%, and a resolution of 0.1%. This lightweight portable analyzer has a wide variety of features which make it both efficient and easy to use.

The Map-Pak Combi unit provides more flexibility in that it will measure O2, CO2 & N2 (as a balance). Oxygen levels are measured by an electrochemical sensor and the Carbon Dioxide levels are measured by a nondispersive infrared sensor (NDIR). These sophisticated measurement systems allow fast and accurate readings with the inclusion of Nitrogen as a balance gas reading. The Combi gives the user greater flexibility in terms of analysis and offers more in-depth reporting of data for today’s stringent gas flushed food packaging measures.

Sample measurements and results are achieved within seconds and there is a storage capacity of up to 5,000 measurements. Both units can operate for seven hours on one charge and utilize a Power Saver function that shuts down after two minutes of non-use. Alternatively it can be operated whilst running off the Mains AC power. The user can select from and edit five Operator titles and 25 Product titles. These rugged analyzers are manufactured in a water resistant and wipe clean material, as hygiene is of paramount importance.

AGC Instruments has over 45 years of experience within the gas analysis industry and quality and reliability are assured.

AGC Instruments is looking for distributors for this product.