Friday, July 07, 2006

Portable hygrometers supplied to Chernobyl

Dewpoint instruments manufactured by Michell Instruments have been supplied to engineers working at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union
Dewpoint instruments manufactured by Michell Instruments have been supplied to engineers working at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union. Two Cermax portable dewpointmeters have been supplied via the Michell Instruments Russian distributors 'Regular Co'. One of the Cermax instruments will be used to monitor and log the dewpoint (moisture content) of instrument air, with a dewpoint of -60C.

The other instrument is to be used to monitor argon with a dewpoint of -80C.

The argon is to be used for welding and the moisture content is critical to achieve the extremely high standard of welding required in the reconstruction of a nuclear power station.

After the explosion of one of the nuclear reactors in April 1986, the policy of the authorities was to source all equipment from local (Ukrainian or Russian) equipment.

However the required specification and quality of the Cermax cannot be matched by local equipment so special dispensation was given to Regular Co, which allowed them to quote Cermax as part of the tender process, in which they were eventually successful.

The Cermax utilises the Michell Instruments Ceramic Sensor to provide accurate and stable measurement of moisture of most commonly used gases.

Features include data logging, pressure compensation and fast response.

For hazardous areas and explosive gases the Cermax IS is available, which is ATEX, FM and CSA certified.