VOC emissions analyser for standard.

As a developer and manufacturer of gas analysers, Signal Group follows the emergence of international Standards very closely. This is because Standards ensure that monitors are fit for purpose, and also because regulators require operators to employ suitably certified equipment.

Signal Group confirms that the latest version of its portable FID analyser, the 3010 MINIFID PURE is being submitted to TÜV for QAL1 testing. This is a procedure to demonstrate that the instrument is suitable for its intended purpose, and meets required performance standards and the uncertainty allowances specified in EU Directives.

Previous versions of this instrument were certified in Britain according to the MCERTS requirements. However, performance requirements have since been unified in Europe, and at the same time product development work has enhanced the capabilities of this product line, so the time has come for us to seek certification to the latest Standards.

Which Standards apply to the discontinuous measurement of TOC emissions?
There are two European standards that apply to the use of portable FID analysers. BS EN 15267-4:2017 specifies the performance levels and test procedures for automated measuring systems used for discontinuous (periodic) measurements of stationary source emissions. It applies to testing based on techniques specified by a standard reference method (SRM) or an alternative method.

BS EN 12619:2013 specifies the flame ionisation detector (FID) method, and is intended for use as a SRM for the measurement of the mass concentration of gaseous and vaporous organic substances in stationary source emissions up to 1,000 mg/m³. This Standard specifies the requirements for a FID instrument with results expressed in mg/m³ as total carbon (TVOC).

Why monitor the emissions of organic compounds?
A wide variety of industrial processes produce emissions that contain organic carbon. For example, volatile organic carbon compounds (VOCs) are a common constituent in the emissions of processes that involve petrochemicals, paints, coatings, adhesives and cleaning chemicals. In many of these processes, solvents play a major role and the release of VOCs represents a risk to health and the environment. Similarly, combustion processes give rise to VOC emissions, particularly where combustion involves the use of an organic fuel. This includes fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel and oil, as well as wastes and biofuels. Organic carbon can exist in emissions as a gas or a vapour; the latter being characterised as a substance that is a mixture of two phases - gaseous and liquid.

By monitoring total organic carbon (TOC) concentration in emissions, process operators can demonstrate compliance with relevant legislation, as well as provide insights for process optimisation, because the presence of organic compounds is an indicator of incomplete combustion. In addition, it is common practice to monitor TOC in order to measure the effectiveness of abatement processes.

Transportable Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (T-CEMs) are generally employed for regulatory monitoring; verifying and calibrating installed CEMs, according to the requirements of BS EN 14181, and for providing temporary back-up when permanent CEMs are not operating.

How to monitor TOC emissions
As a Standard Reference Method, TOC measurement with a FID is generally preferred. However, where there is a potential for the emission of particularly toxic VOCs, the site permit may include a requirement for the monitoring of individual organic compounds, which means that a monitoring technology capable of speciation will be necessary. Alternatively, it may be necessary for the monitoring activity to distinguish between methane and non-methane VOCs. Where speciation is required, technology such as Gas Chromatography, FTIR or Mass Spectrometry may be necessary. However, if speciation is required, a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) will almost always be necessary.

Choosing the right instrument
If monitoring is being undertaken for compliance purposes, the environmental permit will indicate the certification required for the emissions monitoring equipment. This will limit the number of suitable suppliers, but a number of other issues will need to be addressed when choosing the most appropriate instrument.

If a transportable instrument is required: is it suitably robust? and has it been designed for portability? Keep in mind that it may be necessary to transport the equipment from site to site, and to carry the instrument up ladders in potentially inclement weather.

Price is of course a major consideration, but it is best to compare lifetime costs that take operational costs into account as well as the purchase price. So, issues such as calibration and service requirements will need to be addressed. It is also advisable to examine the supplier’s reputation – do they have support capability? do they have longstanding experience in the supply of portable FIDs? and what has been the experience of previous users?

With over 40 years of experience in the development and manufacture of FIDs, Signal Group can claim to score very highly in such comparisons with the well proven and competitively priced Model 3010 MiniFid. Once this transportable FID has passed through the QAL1 process, Signal’s SOLAR Series IV permanently installed FID will also be submitted for certification.

The prospect of the latest FID technology with TÜV certification for QAL 1 of EN 14181 will be of major interest to stack testers and process operators with a requirement to monitor TOC emissions.

 @GasAnalysers @_Enviro_News #Environment 

Certification Body under the CB Scheme.

Emitech has had its own international certification service called Emitech Certification since 2014. It has now been recognized as an NCB (National Certification Body).

Pascal Bonnenfant - Emitech Certification

As an ISO 17065-accredited product certification body, Emitech Certification has initially become a Notified Body for CE marking. As such, it issues certificates of conformity under the RED 2014/53/EU directive for radio communication equipment, and the EMC 2014/30/EU (electromagnetic compatibility) directive. This involves assessing the conformity of a product for which there are not yet any harmonised standards, extending the validity of a test report to an entire range of products, validating the integration of sub-assemblies by partial tests or a voluntary approach by a manufacturer.

Emitech Certification supports manufacturers who want to market their products internationally. It takes care of the technical and administrative formalities, arranges for local tests to be carried out if necessary to obtain approval, and chooses the most suitable procedure. The CB Scheme (CB Scheme) is thus the most efficient way to approach export markets in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Within the framework of the CB Scheme, Emitech's international certification service has just been recognised as an NCB (National Certification Body). It can now manage its network of CBTLs (Certification Body Testing Laboratories), and deliver, based on their reports, the CB certificates recognized in the member countries.

The CB scheme, a process of mutual recognition of test results between participating countries
The CB scheme is an international certification program for the exchange and acceptance of product test results from recognized participating laboratories, "CBTLs", and National Certification Bodies, "NCBs" in more than 50 countries around the world. The goal of the CB Scheme is to constantly harmonize electrical product safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements at international level, while also taking national deviations into account.

Thanks to mutual recognition of CB certificates between countries, the tests performed are recognised in these member countries. This makes it easier to place products on the market abroad and opens the way for manufacturers to obtain certification marks (NF, etc.).

Within this context, four of Emitech's laboratories have already been recognized for several years as CBTLs in the categories for medical, laboratory, multimedia and information processing equipment. A CBTL has to depend on a single NCB. Since April 2020, Emitech's certification service has been recognized as a National Certification Body under the NCB scheme. This means that this service can now issue CB certificates from its own CBTL laboratories.

Emitech supports its customers in a global approach to marketing their products abroad. As this process is fully controlled under the framework of the CB Scheme it is largely autonomous and its reactivity is augmented. This recognition is part of the strategy to internationalise Emitech's service offering, established when Emitech created its certification service.

@EMITECH_SA #MEPax#PAuto #TandM 

Essential pressure transmitters.

A new range of pressure transmitters designed to meet key requirements in most manufacturing and production industries has been launched by ABB. The PxS100 range is suitable for use in the water, wastewater, metals, mining, pulp and paper, cement, and power ancillary sectors.

Rugged, resilient and easy to configure, the PxS100 range will fulfil all routine requirements for pressure measurement. Unique features include QR codes for easy access to online operational instructions and advice; abrasive resistant technology to protect the metallic diaphragm and extend working life; and ABB’s H-shield to protect against monatomic hydrogen and ensure measurement accuracy.

Eugenio Volonterio, Global Product Line Manager for Pressure Products at ABB, said: “The PxS100 range offers abundant features and functionality in a flexible and adaptable design that is easy to configure and quickly available. It sits alongside our more specialised 266 series which can be engineered for specific applications.”

Using ABB’s range of adaptable connectors and flanges, the PxS100 series can be rapidly configured to accommodate hundreds of mountings, spans, and certification-equivalent options. The simple HMI (Human Machine Interface), rotates for visibility from any angle, features ‘through the glass’ configuration capabilities and can be ordered with easily accessible backlight for low light environments.

In compact and robust stainless-steel housing, the PxS100 range offers IP66, IP67, IP68 and IP69K protection for operability in high humidity or where there are high levels of dust concentration. The ingress protection makes it suitable for clean-in-place applications in the food and beverage sector.

In alignment with specifications requested by its reference market, the PxS100 provides base accuracy of 0.25% of span, with the option of improvement to 0.1%. It is available in both Gauge and Absolute sensor variants and offers five different measurement ranges, covering applications from 40 mbar (16in H2O) up to 100 bar (1450 psi) thanks to its 10:1 turndown capability and full rangeability.

@ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement #PAuto 

Strong player in flame & gas detection.

A new company, Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection, has been established under the Teledyne banner following Teledyne’s acquisition of 3M’s gas and flame detection business. The business has a long and successful track record spanning more than 100 years, supporting a wide range of industries and customers with their gas and flame detection needs. So, the big question is will Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection bring differentiation to this competitive marketplace?

With the formation of Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection, the market can indeed expect a major USP that sets it apart from existing players: the company has become the specialized brand in gas and flame detection, offering wide product knowledge and expertise in this niche area. A proven and extensive range of measurement, detection and wireless technologies, set alongside the unrivalled skills and innovation of employees who have been with the business for many years, can meet the needs of customers in all market segments. Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection is adopting a dedicated, one-stop supplier strategy that delivers the optimum solution for the application, every time.

Teledyne is not unfamiliar with this blueprint, as the Gas and Flame Detection business utilizes similar technology, which compliments its portfolio of environmental instrumentation products and services supplied to related markets and have proven to be highly successful for many years.

The high-quality products of Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection comprise both fixed and portable instruments designed for demanding applications in sectors such as oil & gas, food & beverage, marine and public utilities. These rugged yet reliable and precise gas and flame detection solutions offer fast response times, durability and intrinsically safe instrumentation, while satisfying multiple international certification standards.

Based on a culture of safety, the company has pledged to bring stability to the established brands of Oldham Simtronics, Gas Measurement Instruments (GMI), Detcon and the former Scott Safety gas detection range, which together have amassed over 100 years of experience across a wide range of standard and customized products, solutions and services.

Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection unifies these four industry leaders, creating a strategic insight that provides smart, first-in-class solutions with a future focus. Teledyne Detcon, for example, is a leader in fixed gas detection and innovative wireless solutions for use in harsh environments, while the Teledyne Oldham Simtronics brand specializes in high-end gas and flame detection solutions using advanced technologies and multi-market, cost-effective fixed gas detection solutions. The former Scott Safety gas and flame portfolio, now under the Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection brand, is rooted in the safety of people and plants in an industrial setting, and completing the picture Teledyne GMI is an expert in portable gas detection and a market leader in the gas distribution/utilities sector.

Every second of every day, the dependable Gas and Flame Detection systems and portable gas monitors manufactured under these brand names are making workplaces safer around the world. For this reason, Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection has introduced a new global tagline that captures the capabilities of the business: ‘Always sensing safety, every where you look’™.

Despite the company’s comprehensive and proprietary portfolio of innovative solutions, one size does not always fit all. If a standard solution cannot be identified, the Application Engineering group within Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection can provide a bespoke offering based on complete end-to-end consulting that embraces design, equipment specification, installation, maintenance and service. The in-house team, which comprises a global network of professionals with more than 50 years’ combined experience in fixed gas detection and integration consulting, has the capability to assess hazardous environments anywhere in the world. Working alongside client teams in a consultative approach, the expert perspective offered by the Application Engineering group ensures that custom solutions are according to specific requirements such as advanced technology within nuclear research and space exploration. As part of this customer-first strategy, projects are kept on track using proactive analysis that harnesses the benefits of advanced technologies such as 3D simulations, custom wireless solutions and gas-plume modeling.

Importantly, Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection can leverage its global network of distributors offering sales and service expertise – alongside its manufacturing excellence and custom engineering – to provide turnkey gas and flame detection solutions for a vast range of hazards. With an industry-leading, comprehensive portfolio of products and services, its commitment to cross-platform integration is purpose-designed to provide protection for today and confidence for tomorrow.

#Teledyne #PAuto #Safety

Voltage sensors.

The DVC 1000 series of voltage sensors for insulated nominal voltage measurements in rail traction and industrial applications has been introduced by LEM.

The DVC 1000 series offers panel mounted voltage measurement in a compact package, measuring only 29 x 51 x 89 mm, giving a total volume of only 131.6 cm3.

Designed to measure a nominal voltage of 1000 VRMS, the DVC 1000 series uses an isolating amplifier, providing very high levels of isolation with a safety insulation voltage of 4.2 kV. The use of an isolating amplifier offers significant space savings over other sensors of similar capacity, which use bulky galvanic insulation.

As well as being highly robust, the DVC 1000 series also offers high levels of accuracy and temperature stability. An optional DIN rail mounting adaptor makes it easy to integrate into users’ own applications.

LEM developed the DVC 1000 to be fully compliant with the International Railway Industry Standards (IRIS). Engineers in the railway industry working with both rolling stock and sub-stations can use these versatile new sensors to measure DC links, the output voltages of inverters, the input voltage of 4 quadrant converters, or the battery voltage of Light Rail Vehicles. The features of the DVC 1000 voltage sensors also make them ideal for a broad range of small-to-medium voltage measurements in industrial markets such as DC power supply monitoring, EV chargers and battery storage applications.

DVC 1000 sensors measure voltages by a direct connection on their primary sides, through an internal resistor network and other components designed to feed the signal to an isolation amplifier.

An isolated signal is recovered and then conditioned in order to supply a voltage or a current at the sensor’s output connections, which is an exact representation of the primary voltage. No additional components are needed – the connections are simply connected between the voltage to be measured and the control device.

The DVC 1000 family can supply instantaneous +/- 30 mA current output (DVC 1000) or +/- 10 volt voltage output (DVC 1000-B) at +/- 1500 volt peak. The DVC 1000-UI model supplies a unipolar instantaneous 4-20 mA current output at 0…+1000 Volt DC (Unipolar DC Voltage measurement only).

All models deliver excellent overall accuracy, of +/- 1 % at +25°C with a high stability in temperature, leading to an overall accuracy of +/- 1.7% with an operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C.

Measurement frequency bandwidth (-3dB point) is 35 kHz and the DVC 1000 models consume only 12 to 22 mA at no primary voltage, depending on the model and the power supply used - from +/- 15 to +/- 24 volt for the DVC 1000 and DVC 1000-B models and from a unipolar +15 to +24 V power supply for the DVC 1000-UI model.

With their compact size and weighing only 57g, the DVC 1000 series is unique on the market. Other key features include compliance to a range of internationally recognised safety standards in addition to their adherence to IRIS specifications. They also exhibit a fast response time of 12 to 17 µs at 90% of nominal voltage.

Designed by LEM in accordance with the latest standards applicable for traction and industry, the DVC 1000 models use materials that comply with all relevant fire and smoke requirements (EN 45545), mandatory in railway applications. They are CE marked and are supplied with a five-year warranty, as are all LEM sensors.

@LEM_Inc @NapierPR #PAuto 

Mini-strain sensors.

The miniature-format strain sensors DST20 complement the Baumer portfolio by adding a compact and cost-efficient solution for measuring large forces above 10,000 N even in confined spaces. With their dimensions of 28x12x10 mm, the DST20 miniature strain sensors offer space savings that are unmatched by any other screw-on strain sensor on the market. At the same time, their stainless steel housing and a certification for the IP 65 degree of protection make them excellently suited for use in rough production environments and for a large range of applications, such as mechanical and equipment engineering as well as process automation.

The DST20 strain sensor can be integrated into a machine with minimum engineering effort and offers a lasting solution that can serially replace cold bonded strain gauges in limited installation spaces, based on initial tests in the experimental laboratory.

Similar to other strain sensors in the Baumer portfolio, the compact DST20 sensors are based on the strain gauge technology with a strain gauge and a strain body. The soft geometry on the inside minimizes hardening of the structure to be measured. This makes the miniature strain sensor suitable for static as well as dynamic applications. Thin structures can also be monitored because of the limited reaction forces on the screws.

Ex factory the strain is typically measured with an output signal of around 1.0 mV/V, which frequently eliminates the need for calibration with a separate force sensor. This allows users to benefit from simple and quick commissioning coupled with high measurement accuracy in the micrometer range, which saves valuable time in the case of emergencies.

The sensors come in two measurement ranges: 500 and 1,000 µm/m, for different customer requirements in terms of the expected strains and permitted mechanical tension, depending on the steel quality. This way, a single sensor can be used to cover a large number of applications, allowing users to reduce costs and warehouse space.

With the DST20, Baumer rounds off its strong portfolio for force measurement with force and strain sensors. In addition to robust strain sensors for outdoor and industrial applications, Baumer has thus combined robustness and precision with exceptionally compact dimensions, effectively enhancing the scope of application of strain sensors. Users can now also optimize their process safety and quality in areas where the smallest dimensions matter.

#Baumer #PAuto #MEpax

Handheld temperature and pressure.

RS Components (RS) stocks the new DPI 705E family of handheld pressure and temperature indicators from Druck, a world leader in piezo-resistive sensors and test and calibration instruments.

The range comprises two versions – the DPI 705E for use in safe areas and the DPI 705E-IS (Intrinsically Safe) for use in hazardous areas. These models combine a tough, durable design and build on and replace the highly regarded DPI 705 family. The instruments are designed for single-handed use and introduce new and improved features to ensure even greater accuracy and reliable pressure or temperature monitoring during commissioning, fault finding, and system testing, including leak testing.

A key advantage of the DPI 705E family is its enhanced accuracy, providing 12-month uncertainty up to 0.05% full scale (FS) over a temperature range of -10°C to +50°C. An extensive pressure range is covered – from 25mbar to 1400bar in Absolute, Gauge or Differential configurations.

The DPI 705E and DPI 705E-IS both have integrated pressure sensors and are designed to interface directly with external remote pressure or optional remote plug-and-play Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors, providing even more flexibility whilst out in the field. Each pressure sensor holds integral calibration data, meaning a single DPI 705E can be used with multiple remote sensors, allowing various ranges to be measured in seconds. The sensors hold a record of the calibration date, which is relayed to the operator through the ‘calibration due’ countdown shown on the pressure indicator's display.

The leak test function is rapidly configurable between one, three or five minutes. The power-efficient design means that the indicators can be used for eight hours per day, six days per week for one year using a single set of batteries.

DPI 705E products are rugged, simple to use and suitable for widespread applications in industries such as utilities, HVAC, medical equipment, metrological laboratories and clean rooms, as well as for service and maintenance.

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS #PAuto #TandM