By Rich Merritt, Senior Technical Editor
The newest standards in the process analyzer world are NeSSI and PAT. The NeSSI Initiative/ANSI/ISA76-99.02 (2002) standard defines modular sampling systems that make it extremely easy to set up the manifolds, valves, tubing, piping and sample conditioning systems needed to bring process samples to analyzers. It also defines a 1.5 x 3 x 3-in. format for plugging analyzers onto a NeSSI board.
The Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Initiative recommends procedures for improving manufacturing of food and drugs through measurements of materials and processes. It uses NeSSI and ISA-76 to help define procedures that will simplify measurements and reduce the costs of analyzers and components.
Except for one single product in the roundup that follows, manufacturers seem to be avoiding these standards and recommendations like the plague. NeSSI components cost a bit more than standard sampling systems, so we suspect manufacturers are trying to avoid increasing prices in these difficult economic times. Instead of developing products that might not sell because of price, they spend what little R&D monies available on enhancements, ports, software and interfaces.
Robert Sherman, industry specialist at CIRCOR Instrumentation Technologies said that such instrumentation is on the way. “Analysis elements currently commercially available on the NeSSI format are limited to ppm oxygen and ppm moisture,” he said. “As soon as volume increases, one of the NIR or Raman probe manufacturers will machine a probe in this format. Complete spectrophotometers and gas chromatographs currently are under active development.”
Even if they are ignoring the standard, the enhancements to standard analyzers are downright impressive. Analyzers are getting easier to configure and connect to control systems, they operate much closer to real-time than ever before, and they are getting more rugged so you can install them closer to the process.
Standard features often include Windows-based HMI, configuration and data analysis software, color displays, touch screens, built-in data loggers, and standard interfaces such as wireless, 4-20 mA, USB, and infrared to PDAs and Pocket PCs. Nary an IEEE-488 interface–the old instrumentation standard--can be found these days in new analyzers.
For the present time, process analyzers appear to be immune to the “China Syndrome” that afflicts so many other control devices: i.e., companies in the Far East copying designs, and then making and selling products at extremely low prices. Process analyzers are bit too complex to be stolen … er, emulated in such a manner, so North American, Japanese and European vendors continue to dominate the market.
The analyzers we list in the round-up that follows have so many new features and functions, you may want to go to ControlGlobal.com to view all the product information we have on several of them. Curious? Go to ControlGlobal.com and look for the round-up section under “Site Highlights.”
PRODUCT ROUNDUP:
Process Analyzers and Components
Moisture Analyzer Monitors Itself
The rack-mounted Model 3050-RM Moisture Analyzer has an internal moisture generator allows users to confirm analyzer performance on schedule or on demand. The on-line verification system verifies the zero point of the sensor’s calibration by comparing sensor and system operation to a conditioned sample gas that contains a known amount of moisture. The analyzer is suitable for applications that require continuous measurement of ppmv moisture in gases and vapor. Ametek Process Instruments; 800/222-6789; www.ametkpi.com
Wireless pH Transmitter
The OM-CP-RFPH101A measures pH and temperature, transmits readings back to a host computer via wireless, and logs readings in its memory. A slide switch allows the transmitter to be turned on or off without affecting operation of the device. Windows software makes a PC into a real-time strip chart recorder, prints data in graphical or tabular format, and exports data to a text or Microsoft Excel file. Price: $449. Omega Engineering; 203/359-1660; www.omega.com
Dual Analyzer Monitors and Controls
The UDA2182 Universal Dual Analyzer monitors and controls pH, ORP, conductivity/resistivity, concentration or dissolved oxygen. It has a graphic backlit LCD display providing continuous readout of process variables, alarm and diagnostic status, infrared communications for configuration via a Pocket PC, laptop or desktop computer using Process Instrument Explorer software. The analyzer has dual 4-20 mA current outputs and dual relay outputs for control. Honeywell; 215/641-3798; www.acs.honeywell.com
Humidity Transmitter Warms to the Task
The HMT330 Humicap Series includes six models covering humidity measurements from 0–100 %RH, temperature ranges between -70 and +180 °C, and pressure ranges between 0 and 100 bar, depending on the model. In very humid or chemically harsh conditions, a warmed probe and chemical purge help maintain measurement reliability. Outputs include a numerical and graphical display with multilingual user interface, three analog outputs, serial interfaces and alarm relays. Vaisala; 781/933-4500 X1063; www.vaisala.com
Gas Chromatograph Plays a New Standard
An ASTM designation has been assigned to the PGC2007 Gas Chromatograph: ASTM D7041-04, “Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Motor Fuels, and Oils by Online Gas Chromatography with Flame Photometric Detection.” The test method covers the determination of total sulfur in liquid hydrocarbons with a final boiling point less than 450° C by gas chromatography using a flame photometric detector. ABB; 304/647-1761; www.us.abb.com
Spectrometer Goes Low
The QE65000 Spectrometer can achieve up to 90% quantum efficiency with high signal-to-noise and rapid signal processing, making it suitable for low-light level applications such as fluorescence, DNA sequencing, astronomy and Raman spectroscopy. It has a Hamamatsu back-thinned detector with a 2-D arrangement of pixels (1044 horizontal x 64 vertical) that is responsive from 200–1100 nm. Price is $9,999. More info at controlglobal.com. Ocean Optics; 727/733-2447; www.oceanoptics.com
Sample Handling Goes Modular
Modular platform components and configurator software make it easier to develop and assemble ANSI/ISA 76.00.02-compliant process analyzer and sample-handling systems. Modular platform components consist of surface mounts, including shut-off, needle, metering, toggle and check valves, as well as filters, substrates and manifolds. The configurator identifies all the flow connectors that are necessary to build the fluid system and generates a bill of materials and assembly diagram. Swagelok; 440/349-5934; www.swagelok.com
Better than Average Oxygen Analyzer
The O2mation model AV550 multichannel averaging oxygen analyzer has a 5.7-in. color touch screen, trend graph functions and process diagnostic tools. The display can show shows average data, single detectors or all detector gas concentrations. The analyzer can accept inputs from eight oxygen detectors, making it suitable for power boiler oxygen trim and combustion control in large utility boilers or various industrial furnaces. Yokogawa; 770/254-0400; www.yokogawa.com
Probes Plug-and-Play
Sensors for pH, ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity are plug-and-play with the SC100 Digital Controller; that is, the controller accepts any two sensors without special cabling, configuration or software. The controller has a built-in data logger that stores readings from the sensors for up to six months, along with calibration and verification data points, alarm history, and instrument setup changes in CSV format. Hach; 800/227-4224; www.hach.com
Oxygen Analyzer Handles High Temps
The Oxymitter oxygen transmitter operates in temperatures up to 1,300ï‚° F, making it suitable for making in-situ measurements during the annealing of cold rolled metal products. It measures oxygen levels from 0.05– 0.1% with accuracy of 0.05%. Because it can be inserted directly into a furnace, it needs no sampling system. Emerson/Rosemount Analytical; 330/684-4579; www.emersonprocess.com
Sulfur Analyzer Responds Quickly
The SOLA II Sulfur Analyzer responds to a change in total sulfur concentration immediately following sample injection, typically every 30 seconds, providing the user a rapid indication of the rate of total sulfur concentration change. Using pulsed ultraviolet fluorescence spectrometry (PUVF), it delivers total sulfur measurements from 2 ppm to 25 ppb in liquid phase petroleum fractions with end boiling points less than 400° C. Thermo Electron; 713/272-4516; www.thermo.com
Digital pH Sensor
The Memosens digital pH sensors have digital memory functions that save measuring point data, the site, operating hours, calibration data, and minimum and maximum pH values. The sensor can be precalibrated in the lab under optimum conditions and then simply replaced at the measuring point. Endress+Hauser; 888/end-dress; www.us.endress.com
ORP and pH Sensor Differentiates
WDS Series sensors have a differential measurement technique that uses two electrodes, one for the process measurement and the other for the reference measurement. Each electrode is measured differentially with respect to a third metal electrode. If the glass reference solution becomes contaminated, or the salt bridge becomes clogged, it is easily replaced. The glass electrode is not prone to chemical attack. Walchem; 508-429-1110; www.walchem.com
Conductivity Probe Tests Ultra Pure Water
The InLab 740 compensates for the change in conductivity in a solution as temperature increases or decreases through use of an integrated temperature sensor, making it suitable for lab use. It ships with a test certificate stating the actual cell constant of each individual sensor. Mettler Toledo; 614/438-4853; www.mt.com
