Thermo Electron Corporation announces a new carbon dioxide analyser for the natural gas industry, known as the AutoCO2, to maintain natural gas quality control at delivery points
Thermo Electron Corporation, an industry leading producer of process instrumentation for the oil and gas industries, announced today its new carbon dioxide analyser for the natural gas industry known as the AutoCO2. The AutoCO2 measures carbon dioxide concentrations in natural gas to maintain gas quality control at delivery points. With natural gas prices at all-time highs, limits on CO2 levels are being set at specific delivery points and exceeding these limits can result in fines or lost production.

To ensure compliance with the limits, the Thermo AutoCO2, used in conjunction with Thermo Autopilot or Automate gas flow computers, provides well and pipeline control to the producer, gathering station operator or transmission line technician.

Furthermore, multiple AutoCO2 units can be installed on several incoming lines to monitor, blend or restrict certain production runs to the gathering station.

'The AutoCO2 is a smart and affordable way to monitor carbon dioxide at the wellsite or gathering station - for a fraction of the cost of gas chromatography,' noted Margo Myers, the Thermo petroleum market manager.

The Thermo AutoCO2 detects CO2 in natural gas using non-dispersive infrared technology (NDIR).

The basic principle of operation is to detect the amount of energy at a specific wavelength that is absorbed by passing natural gas between the infrared optics and sensor.

The amount of energy absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of the simple target and the path length for the energy.

Also, the 'intelligence' to log data, alarm and control well functions stay in the flow computer and is not duplicated in the sensor, allowing a very cost-effective monitoring method.

Effectively controlling the CO2 concentration on individual lines may prevent shutting in the entire station.

The AutoCO2 is easily installed at the meter run by utilising a sample probe with regulator.

With the flow-through design, a scant 0.5 litres-per-minute of natural gas can be vented to the atmosphere or can be used by another analyser.

Key product features.

* Flow-through style.

* Range 0-10 percent.

* 4-20 mA output.

* Accuracy +/-5 percent relative or +/-0.2 percent, whichever is greater.

* Repeatability +/-0.1 percent CO2 concentration.

* Class 1, Div 2, (Group C, D) UL, cUL (approvals pending).

For more information on the AutoCO2 please visit the website.

With a background in chemistry and 17 years working with ICI in sales, marketing and business management, Dr Linda Bell is Managing Director of Servomex Group Limited, a Spectris company.
With a background in chemistry and 17 years working with ICI in sales, marketing and business management, Dr Linda Bell has been Managing Director of Servomex Group Limited, a Spectris company, since 2001. Here she outlines the technical, economic and regulatory challenges facing the global gas analysis industry. 'Our operations are divided up into three regions: Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME); the Americas; and Asia-Pacific.

Turnover in these three is approximately 45 per cent, 35 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively.

But even within each of these regions, there can be huge variations in the markets, typically due to legislative requirements relating to health and safety and environmental protection, plus local demand often varies in response to economic conditions.

Market requirements therefore vary considerably from one geographic region to the next, and it is a constant challenge to keep pace.

On the up side, however, while the market in Western Europe is now mature and growing relatively slowly, as a global company, we are in a strong position to take advantage of the markets that are expanding more quickly - such as South America, Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic and Russia, for instance), China, India and Japan - which had been flat, but are now starting to improve again.

As the EU undergoes enlargement, there is a great deal of work being done to bring compliance within the new member states up to the same standard as in the existing member states.

Furthermore, Eastern European plants, generally speaking, do not operate as efficiently as their counterparts in the West, so plant operators are having to play 'catch-up' in order to remain competitive in an open market.

Similarly, as the Russian market opens up, we are seeing operators striving to improve their performance.

With new customers and new applications where we believe our instruments could make a big impact, we will loan gas analysers so that plant operators can establish for themselves the benefits that can be achieved.

For example, a number of trials have been running in the power generation industry recently, many of which have taken the form of head-to-head comparisons with competitive systems.

As a result, plant operators have proved to themselves - and the market - that our instruments are consistently more reliable and deliver a better performance.

In power stations, incinerators and similar applications, gas analysers are used in a dual role: partly to comply with continuous emission monitoring (CEM) requirements and partly to optimise the operating parameters.

Because of the efficiency gains that can be achieved, it is not unusual to see payback periods of a matter of months.

So having had a trial unit on loan, the operators are coming back and placing orders for multiple units, as they are usually required for several locations throughout a plant.

From the plant operator perspective, the best possible investment is one where the up-front cost can be recouped in the same accounting period - which is exactly what they are achieving with these gas analysers.

Rapid payback is attractive where it can be achieved but, elsewhere, total cost of ownership is often a more pressing issue.

Customers who are major multinational companies certainly understand the true value of reliable instruments that can operate for relatively long periods without significant downtime.

We have customers that have been with us for 30 or 40 years and have gained enough experience of our products to be more than aware of the long-term benefits.

Others are prepared to invest a little more in equipment that they are confident will not let them down; after all, if a less reliable instrument is installed in a process plant and its failure leads to an accident, the costs to the plant operator can be orders of magnitude greater than the purchase price of the instrument.

There is also another group of customers that tend to look at the total cost of ownership more than the initial purchase: those with centralised instrumentation specialists.

These generally take a more global view (literally and metaphorically) than site specific instrumentation engineers who are more focused on keeping a plant operating on a day-to-day basis.

Looking to the future Into the future, the main drivers continue to be safety, quality and efficiency.

Inevitably customers are demanding improved performance, which is why there are analysers available today that are capable of measuring in the parts per billion (ppb) range.

Nonetheless, you are normally concerned with particularly toxic or dangerous gases to be interested in ppb levels, and generally the instruments capable of working at these levels today are laboratory units to which a sample must be taken, with the associated risk of contamination and concern for safety.

This means that currently they cannot easily be used for on-line measurements as part of a real-time feedback loop for process optimisation.

In contrast, our customers frequently use their analysers to control critical processes and so improved performance in their eyes is improved reliability, ease of use or communications to facilitate integration with the rest of their plant.

To this end we have already launched some exciting new products in 2005 and there are more in the pipeline for launch in 2006.

Although the company started out specialising in oxygen measurement using paramagnetic technology, which tends to be used to control inerting or oxidation processes, the range of additional technologies now available - such as zirconia, photometric and thick film - means that a wide range of gases can be measured in a phenomenally wide range of applications.

Nonetheless, the company will remain a specialist, rather than a generalist supplier of gas analysis equipment.

The next exciting development will be with lasers.

These can be used to look for specific infrared absorption lines, so they are particularly useful for gases such as hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride that are difficult to detect with other technologies.

But you have to bear in mind that lasers currently can only be used for monitoring, not accurate analysis.

In other words, they can tell you if a specific gas is present and give an approximate level, but at ppm levels they cannot accurately tell you how much of it is there.

Gas analysis is a very exciting market to be in at the moment.

As well as new technologies, there are huge opportunities available in an incredibly wide range of industry sectors.

Indeed, one of the biggest challenges that we face as a company is where to focus our efforts.

We will continue to serve our existing customers so that we can bring them value and benefits by leveraging our existing skills, but, at the same time, we employ rigorous processes to identify the future opportunities with the greatest potential.

Other challenges facing the gas analysis industry are the same as elsewhere.

For example, the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, 2002/96/EC) recently came into force, and the RoHS Directive (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances, 2002/95/EC) will be implemented next year.

As a company, we are fully prepared for these.

While some commentators have complained bitterly about the costs of compliance with such regulations, there is another side to this coin.

Officially these directives are intended to protect the environment, but there is no denying that they also act as a barrier to entry from competitors elsewhere in the world.

For instance, the Chinese market is growing rapidly and there are already Chinese manufacturers of gas analysers (though these are largely reliant on technology licensed from Western companies - something that Servomex has made a positive decision not to do as we do not believe it to be in our best long-term interests).

At some point in the future these companies will almost certainly start to export systems to Europe, but they first need to comply with Directives such as WEEE, RoHS and ATEX - which is neither simple nor low-cost.

For the future, there is a continual substantial investment in R and D, involving new technologies as well as the miniaturisation of existing technologies.

In addition, we are striving to build strong global teams and help our own people understand the dynamics of a business that is evolving to meet changing market needs.

Many of our customers are global players, so we have to ensure that our internal communications meet the needs of this type of customer.

We are also responding to the market in every way possible, which has an impact on almost all aspects of the business, from initial enquiries through manufacturing to long-term support.

Our products are in use in over 70 countries around the world, with support provided from a network of local offices and distribution partners.

Where appropriate we will open new offices, as we did in China earlier this year, in order to deliver the level of support required and demonstrate our commitment to particular geographical markets.

Our goal is to be able to offer customers a better value proposition for the future, and we believe we are achieving this'.

A UK based company, TDL Sensors, have launched a new process tunable diode laser spectrometer, designed primarily for the in-situ measurement of gases
A Manchester UK based company TDL Sensors have launched a new process tunable diode laser spectrometer. This product is designed primarily for the in-situ measurement of gases such as O2, CO, CO2, H2O, HCl, HF and NH3 from ambient temperatures up to 1500 degrees C. Both cross duct and single access point configurations are available.

Further information is available via the website, or alternatively contact the product manager Richard Hughes.

Toxic or flammable gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane can be easily monitored from multiple locations with the new Crowcon PGSi Programmable Monitoring System
Toxic or flammable gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane can be easily monitored from multiple locations with the new Crowcon PGSi Programmable Monitoring System. Monitoring up to four different gases at once, from up to 32 individual sampling points, the PGSi is ideal for applications such as carbon monoxide monitoring in car parks and tunnels, carbon dioxide monitoring in breweries and distilleries, or monitoring methane leaks from the heating systems of buildings. By doing away with the need for multiple fixed detectors, the sampling system significantly reduces installation and maintenance costs.

Each sample line can be up to 1km in length and sample times for each monitoring point are individually adjustable and can be sequenced in any order.

A dual pump arrangement ensures that samples reach the gas sensors as quickly as possible.

Filters, flow-fail devices, internal gas leak detectors and flame arrestors are all fitted as standard to ensure safe and reliable operation at all times.

The system is controlled by a PC using Windows XP-based software.

A screen displays individual sample locations, gas levels and alarms.

It operates up to 32 relays (which activate alarm devices or send a signal to external control equipment) and provides comprehensive data-logging facilities, with gas data displayed either in tabular or graphical formats.

The PC can be monitored remotely via an optional modem, allowing status checks and the uploading of datalog files.

The system can be supplied with a PC or can operate with a PC supplied by the user.

With a two-year lifespan and guaranteed repair-free during that time, the new Draeger X-am 1700 is one of a new generation of gas detectors specifically designed for personal monitoring applications
With a two-year lifespan and guaranteed to be repair-free during that time, the new Draeger X-am 1700 is one of a new generation of one-to-four gas detectors specifically designed for personal monitoring applications. Ideal for use in any industry where explosive gases and vapours as well as O2, CO and H2S may pose a threat to health, it provides a low cost solution to fast and reliable air monitoring. No larger than a mobile phone, this lightweight, ergonomically designed instrument is easy to use and features the latest miniaturised XXS generation of powerful electrochemical DraegerSensors.

For improved safety when facing unknown hazards, the catalytic Ex sensor, calibrated to methane, responds quickly to explosive gases.

Offering a high level of sensitivity to combustible organic vapours it also ensures dependable warnings in the event of explosive hazards.

With a practical two-button control panel and straightforward menu guidance system, the X-am 1700 benefits from a large liquid crystal display which provides all readings at a glance.

Fitted with a crocodile clip for secure attachment to clothing, it also incorporates gas inlets on both the top and front to ensure that, even if it is accidentally placed in a jacket pocket, it will still provide a reliable warning against gas hazards.

In alarm situations, the X-am 1700 provides three different types of warning.

The audible multi-tone alarm is impossible to miss, whilst a visual 180-degree alarm helps to ensure that the warning is not ignored, as does the built-in vibrational alarm.

Dust and water-resistant to IP67, this rugged instrument remains fully functional and ready for use even after being dropped in water.

The integrated rubber protection and shockproof sensors provide additional resistance to impact and vibration and the unit is also able to withstand electromagnetic interference.

The X-am 1700 can be used with either the standard alkaline or optional NINH batteries.

In addition it can be fitted with a T4 battery which can be recharged in the workshop or in a vehicle, whilst still inside the instrument.

Equipped with a data logger as standard, the unit allows data such as alarms, errors and the results of function tests to be transmitted via infrared interface to a PC.

The data can then be analysed using the DraegerGas Vision software.

A variety of options are also available such as the Draeger E-Cal automatic test and calibration station, the Draeger Bump Test Station and optional user registration via the Draeger CC-Vision software.

Edinburgh Instruments are now manufacturing an expanded range of low cost high performance infra-red carbon dioxide sensors
Edinburgh Instruments are now manufacturing an expanded range of low cost high performance infra-red carbon dioxide sensors. Designated the GasCheck family of products they feature high accuracy, long term stability, negligible cross sensitivity, small size and low power requirements. The GasCheck sensor products are available in three ranges: 0-3000 ppm, 0-3% and 0-10% by volume with a 0 to 1V non-linear output.

A linearisation board can be added as an option to give a linear 4 to 20mA output.

Some models are available with the option of a 'self referencing' facility, which alerts users to check calibration parameters.

This option offers self referencing against source variation, warning when calibration may be necessary.

Gascheck sensors are available with a diffusion - aspirated sensor head as an alternative to the standard pumped - aspiration format.

Operating temperature is 0- 45C with a power consumption of 0.9W and output signal of 0-1V (non linear), 4-20mA (linear version).

These innovative products have many uses, with applications including measurement of CO2 in biological incubators, personal safety, gas combustion and delivery, process control, horticulture, plant physiology, heating and ventilating, medical / veterinary applications.

Univar NV, a world leader in chemical distribution, has announced the agreement of a pan-European partnership with market-leading enzyme producer, Novozymes A/S
Univar NV, a world leader in chemical distribution, has announced the agreement of a pan-European partnership with market-leading enzyme producer, Novozymes A/S. This link-up marks a significant step for both companies because the extent of geographical coverage gives Univar its widest, one supplier distribution contract to date, whilst Novozymes moves from numerous distributor agreements to consolidation via Univar. Already operational in 14 countries, including Iberia, France, Benelux, Italy, the Nordic region, UK, Ireland and Poland, plans are well under way for continued roll-out into Germany and Switzerland throughout 2006.

The agreement sees Univar as the Novozymes main European distributor for enzyme solutions in the detergent industry and for textile formulators in selected market segments.

According to Andreas Dietrich, Novozymes Commercial Director Europe: 'Univar fits our current distribution needs and also has the infrastructure in-place to evolve with our future growth.

As a specialist supplier to the detergent industry and textile formulators it is already present in these target market segments across Europe'.

'Local customer knowledge, contact and infrastructure, full technical support and existing market penetration are critical deliverables: Univar also impressed us with its clear commitment to driving this partnership forward - By simplifying the supply chain we benefit from a single dedicated management team which ensures cost-efficient product delivery, co-ordinated pan-European product launches and access to valuable technical resources.

With almost 80% of the roll-out now complete, the transfer has been well received and we are confident of its long-term success and growth,' says Dietrich.

'As part of our regular strategic review, we identified enzymes as a gap in our product portfolio,' says Guy Monteil, Univar Vice President Marketing.

'We have now successfully resolved that issue through a pan-European partnership with the world leader in enzyme technology.

This demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with the broadest choice of raw materials from world-class producers.

'Our agreement with Novozymes gives customers the opportunity to simplify the procurement process, as well as access our specialist knowledge and market understanding.

We are already seeing positive results from the transfer, with business retained or growing in all key markets.

Univar is an extremely strong proposition for chemical producers looking to consolidate their distribution channels in Europe and we will continue to establish partnerships in order to expand and strengthen our offering to customers'.

In addition to the Univar agreement covering the detergent industry and textile formulators, Fiske, the Univar dedicated food ingredients distribution brand, will act as the main distributor for Novozymes in key European food and beverage sectors.

Univar helps specialised coatings manufacturer Castellano reshape its product portfolio to eliminate the 'risk provisions' on their data sheets, by supplying a safer match of raw materials
Univar, a world leader in chemical distribution, has again demonstrated its ability to deliver first class technical service to industry customers. The company assisted Castellano, a privately owned, Marseilles-based French manufacturer of highly specialised marine and aviation paint systems, to overcome the technical challenge involved in reshaping and re-supplying its product portfolio. 'All Castellano marine and aviation coatings result from our own R and D,' says Castellano Managing Director, Bernard Giovannoni: 'A short time ago we had an urgent need to reshape some of our formulae in a way that would enable us to remove the risk provisions from our data sheets.

Our objective was to upgrade our products without actually reformulating them, otherwise we would have had to ask our customers for revised product specifications and that would have presented many difficulties, both for us and them.

Working with the technical support of Univar France, we were able to identify and obtain an ideal, safer match of raw materials for our products, without changing either the specifications of the coatings or the formulations themselves.

This allowed us to eliminate the risks associated with earlier materials and, therefore, the need to state them in our technical literature.

We appreciate the service from Univar, its team is very responsive to our needs and we value the professionalism of their technical advice,' adds Giovannoni.

According to Nicolas Lehmann, Commercial Director of Univar France: 'In order to serve customers like Castellano well, one needs to be able to supply more than just a broad portfolio of chemicals.

It's only when you really understand your customer's markets and requirements that you can fully support them with the specific advice they need to develop niche products'.

Castellano was founded in 1850 and has been a supplier of marine coatings from the outset.

Over the years the marine market became progressively dominated by large multinational companies producing standard marine paints at very low cost.

This made it increasingly difficult for smaller suppliers to compete in the marketplace.

To combat this challenge Castellano opted to pursue business growth through the production of the highly specialised coatings required for applications in niche markets.

'In the early years many of our products were based on classical ingredients such as tar,' explains Bernard Giovannoni.

'However, over time our product line-up has advanced considerably and today we are active with a wide range of highly technical niche products, such as anti-skid coatings, radar absorbing paints, electromagnetic conductible coatings and special anti-fouling paints.

These increasingly sophisticated products are essential in the construction of today's naval vessels.

One of the most exotic products in our portfolio is probably an anti-fouling coating specially developed for submarines for the rubber tile cladding that absorbs sonar pulses.

This is truly a niche product but with a global market, with customers as far away as Australia and Singapore.' In addition to marine coatings, Castellano also supplies specialised paints for aviation applications.

'The aviation industry is as technically challenging as the marine sector and with many similar requirements that can be met by Castellano's complementary experience and expertise,' says Giovannoni.

Confirming this, for leading European helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter Castellano has developed a high gloss paint system deliverable in a complete spectrum of colours.

Apart from durability, these coatings must exhibit a complex of other properties, such as heat resistance, and resistance to oils, fuels and lubricants, as well as the toughness necessary to protect the airframe from extremes of weather and other forms of environmental degradation.

The Russian Federation joint committee for protection measures in foreign trade made a decision to remove all the entrance duties on imported manufacturing equipment
The Russian Federation government plans to remove import duties on imported manufacturing equipment. Yesterday, the RF joint committee for protection measures in foreign trade made a decision to remove all the entrance duties on imported manufacturing equipment that is not produced in Russia. The decision to abolish the duties is to be effective from February 1, 2006, when the Government decree is issued.

But the decision will be valid for 9 months only.

After that, the issue will be reviewed again.

635 out of 1000 commodity items are exempted from import duties.

The decision on the entire 'duties list' will be made at the end of the year.

Thousands of Russian companies across various sectors that purchase state-of-the-art foreign equipment to upgrade their facilities will be able to save additional payments and increase their competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

Chemical control measures in the EU are soon to be dramatically revised: this new Rapra Report describes the key facts of the existing measures and the objectives of the future chemicals policy, REACH
Chemical control measures in the EU are soon to be dramatically revised, and this new Rapra Review Report, entitled 'EU Regulation of Chemicals: REACH', sets the scene by describing the key facts of the existing measures and the objectives of the future chemicals policy: REACH. REACH is the 'Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals': it will place a duty on companies that manufacture, import and use chemicals in the EU to assess the risks arising from their use and manage any risks identified. With industry concerns about the cost of compliance in terms of testing, in-house management, scientific and regulatory advice and consultancy, this Rapra Review Report presents the essential details of the objectives and timescales involved with the legislation.

The objective of the new legislation is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment whilst maintaining an efficient internal market, innovation and competitiveness in the chemical industry.

The author covers the main points, with abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library identifying the sources for further reading on this subject.

EU Regulation of Chemicals: REACH is essential reading for chemical and material manufacturers and suppliers.

It describes clearly the forthcoming fundamental changes to chemical control in the EU.

The report is written by Derek Knight, the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Safepharm Laboratories.

He is an expert in regulatory requirements, providing advice on testing and document submission to regulatory authorities.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the British Institute of Regulatory Affairs: he has published extensively on regulatory issues, alternatives to animal testing, food contact materials and biocides.

Invensys Process Systems executives, along with leaders from other major companies, participated in the Chemical Week recent Annual Executive Roundtable conference held in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Invensys Process Systems executives, along with leaders from other major companies, participated in the Chemical Week recent Annual Executive Roundtable conference held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The forum brought South American CEOs, presidents, and managers together to discuss issues facing the global chemical industry. Roundtable discussions included the competitiveness of the Brazilian chemical and petrochemical industry, supply chain management realities, and dealing with global uncertainties such as management of natural disasters, terrorism, business collapses, and operational excellence.

This, the second in the Chemical Week series of round-tables, was held on 8 December 2005.

Executives from the Invensys Brazilian organisation participating in the roundtable included Francisco Casulli, Managing Director, Luiz Sussumu, Commercial Director, and Mauricio Kurcgant, Technical Director.

Univar, a world leader in chemical distribution, today announced the establishment of two new subsidiaries in the increasingly dynamic Eastern European region
Univar advances European growth strategy with further expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. Univar, a world leader in chemical distribution, today announced the establishment of two new subsidiaries in the increasingly dynamic Eastern European region. The new businesses, Univar Czech, located in Prague, and Univar Hungary, situated in Budapest, became officially operational on 1 February 2006, and are the latest developments in Univar planned growth in Europe.

This is the next step in extending its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, and follows an earlier move which saw the establishment of distribution operations through Univar Poland and its Mapol business.

Heinrich Kluewer, Univar General Manager, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), commented, 'Through our new companies in the Czech Republic and Hungary, we will provide additional platforms for the expansion of our industry-focused chemical, food ingredients and industrial consumables businesses.

This should lend itself to deepening our supplier relationships and attracting new ones, as well as providing local customers access to an alternative stream of products and brands through our global supplier network'.

Univar sees this growth as adding further value to the supply chain.

'As a company, we have built a world-class sales and service organisation,' John Phillpotts, President - Univar Europe, explains: 'This, coupled with our drive to maintain a high degree of professionalism and to be a leader within our industry in matters of safety, health and the environment, contributes to our goal of being the first choice distribution partner for chemical producers and the first choice in product supply and related services for customers.'

The world's first in situ, zirconium oxide-based oxygen transmitter for flue gas measurement is now even more versatile as a "split architecture" instrument
The world's first in situ, zirconium oxide-based oxygen transmitter for flue gas measurement is now even more versatile as a "split architecture" instrument. Emerson Process Management has made available the option to separate the Rosemount Analytical Oxymitter 4000 control unit from the analysis section to provide remote monitoring and programming flexibility for flue gas measurements. The Oxymitter 4000 integrates an oxygen probe, field electronics and fully automatic calibrator into a single, compact package, or this can now be separated for mounting flexibility.

The probe inserts directly into a flue gas duct to measure oxygen in combustion processes with no sampling system required.

The flue gas measurements are used in a control system or by boiler operators to fine-tune burner fuel/air ratios for maximum efficiency, and for achieving the lowest NOx levels.

"The remote electronics option provides users with more flexibility for those installations where the ambient temperatures at the probe location may be higher than 85C."

said Stephane Canadas, Rosemount Analytical Combustion Product Specialist with Emerson.

"Combined with PlantWeb digital plant architecture, operators can observe data and perform system maintenance at the unit or remotely".

Through the HART protocol, the Oxymitter 4000 provides oxygen measurement functionality to PlantWeb digital plant architecture, powering PlantWeb to perform diagnostics and information delivery to plant operators and maintenance personnel.

This functionality results in superior control performance, optimisation of plant assets, increased plant availability and reduced maintenance costs.

Service diagnostics and calibrations can be performed remotely with a HART handheld communicator or a personal computer equipped with AMS Suite: Intelligent Device Manager software.

To take the guesswork out of calibration, the Oxymitter 4000 provides an on-line diagnostic that determines when calibration is needed.

The Oxymitter electronics initiate an on-line impedance measurement of the sensing cell once every hour, which directly correlates to cell accuracy.

This feature can trigger a fully automatic calibration via the SPS 4000, ensuring that the analyser is always accurate.

Also, many needless calibrations based on "time in service" are eliminated.

In addition, the Oxymitter 4000 is fully field-repairable, as the probe design provides convenient access to internal components so technicians can service the unit in-house.

The cell and heater/thermocouple are fully field-replaceable.

Adaptable to any existing oxygen probe installation, the Oxymitter is ideal for large and small combustion processes like industrial boilers, process heaters, kilns and reheat furnaces.

Probes are available in lengths from 0.45 to 3.6 metres, and optional accessories for the Oxymitter 4000 include accessories for use in flue gases up to 1000C.

A second generation CCD-based instrument, the ARL Quantris, can now support copper base applications: their precise and accurate determination allows maximum savings
Thermo Electron Corporation announces that its second generation CCD-based instrument, the ARL Quantris, can now support copper base applications. The analysis of major elements is a key factor in the copper matrix, as their precise and accurate determination allows maximum savings on the expensive copper. First launched in spring 2003, the ARL Quantris already supported the iron and aluminium matrices.

The ARL Quantris is designed to provide customers with quantitative as well as qualitative analysis for operation in challenging environments such as foundries or for industrial quality control in recycling plants, metals handlers, processors or transformers where flexibility is required.

The reproducibility and accuracy achieved on all major elements using the ARL Quantris - and especially Aluminium (Al), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn) and Zinc (Zn) - are superior to those recorded on equivalent conventional PMT based instruments.

For example, a relative standard deviation of less than 0.3 % is achieved on Zinc (Zn) at 40 %.

Excellent detection limits and reproducibility are also achieved on traces and on undesirable elements in alloys like Aluminium (Al), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb) and Sulphur (S).

With a growing number of ARL Quantris installations, feedback received from customers is very positive, with analytical results exceeding expectations.

The instrument's stability and autonomy are also excellent - drift corrections and instrument stand maintenance no more than once a week - leading to lower operation costs.

A collaboration between gas analysis experts Servomex and engineers at ExxonMobil Chemicals at Mossmorran in Fife has solved the problem of measuring the presence of water in the Sulfinol process
A collaboration between gas analysis experts Servomex and engineers at ExxonMobil Chemicals at Mossmorran in Fife has solved the problem of measuring the presence of water in sulfinol as used in the Sulfinol process. ExxonMobil Chemicals operates an ethylene plant at Mossmorran in which Servomex gas analysers have been installed for routine process analysis for several years. The feedstock of ethane, propane and butane used for the production of ethylene comes from an adjacent natural gas processing plant and this feedstock inevitably contains levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which are corrosive and capable of causing damage to the ethylene liquefaction plant.

These corrosive gases are removed using the Sulfinol process.

This is a widely applied gas treatment process, which has been in use since the 1960s and for which some 200 installations have been licensed worldwide.

H2S and CO2 are removed using an absorbtion medium called Sulfinol, an organic solvent mixture made up of Sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene) and alkanolamines in an aqueous mixture.

The feedstock is subjected to absorption, regeneration, heat exchange and recycling and simultaneous physical and chemical absorption of the acid gases occurs under conditions of elevated pressure and moderate pressure.

This reduces the water content of the feedstock, and its water content after processing provides a quality indicator of the efficiency with which the process is operating.

ExxonMobil had been checking the water content of the processed feedstock using off-line laboratory gas chromatograph techniques, but decided that they wanted simple on-line continuous monitoring of the water content so as to have an immediate indication if the water level increased.

The Servomex Customer Applications team asked ExxonMobil to let them have some samples of Sulfinol containing various known levels of water.

Detailed analyses at Servomex using laboratory Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated that a measurement of water content at near infrared wavelengths was realistically possible at useful water concentrations.

Based on the laboratory spectroscopic data and its previous experience of Servomex infrared gas analysers, ExxonMobil installed a Servomex 2500 analyser to monitor its Sulfinol process on a continuous basis.

Servomex also designed and built a custom-made sampling system and enclosure, suitable for hazardous areas.

Experience has shown that the new system has enabled the operators to control the absorption of water more efficiently, with consequent cost savings.

The on-line analysis has also reduced the foaming of the Sulfinol, which can cause production problems downstream of the analyser.

In many other applications, the 2500 infrared gas analyser and its sampling system successfully monitor the presence of water from trace level (0-50ppm wt) to 0-50% wt in various organic solvents and liquids.

The 2500 provides reliable and accurate performance with excellent long-term stability and is certified for use in hazardous areas.

The Uson Qualichek 196 portable electronic gas leak detector has been developed to provide precise and accurate yet fast location of leaks in any location, saving costs by reducing materials waste
The Uson Qualichek 196 portable electronic gas leak detector has been developed to provide precise and accurate yet fast location of leaks in any location, saving costs by reducing materials waste, increasing safety and improving product quality by identifying defects. A special ergonomic and compact design gives ease of use in a static or portable mode. A detachable probe allows access to even the most difficult sites, with the convenience of one-handed operation and 'at-a-glance' readings taken from an easily interpreted display, while an audio facility further aids positive leak location.

The unit has high sensitivity, with a response time of less than 1sec, using helium as a trace gas.

Robust construction allows use on production lines and plant equipment as well as in laboratories and hospitals.

Control is via a membrane keypad and a selection of preset sensitivity factors is offered.

Sensitivity automatically adjusts to leak rate.

Maximum leak rates are recorded and displayed in a choice of user-selectable units.

Carrying case is 8.5 x 26 x 36cm and operating time is up to 9 hours from one PP3 dry cell or a rechargeable battery.

Special application versions are available, for the detection of both specific gases and tasks.

The new Det-Tronics Eclipse OPECL open path gas detection system delivers reliable infrared combustible gas detection for protection of oil/gas and other industrial facilities, and is low cost
The new Det-Tronics Eclipse OPECL open path gas detection system delivers reliable infrared combustible gas detection for protection of oil/gas and other industrial facilities, optimised for low maintenance, low cost and exceptional performance in challenging environmental conditions. With a sensing path of up to 60m and a response time of under 3 seconds to 90% of full scale, it features stainless steel construction, redundant dual xenon flashlamp technology, unequalled ease of installation and alignment, multiple communication protocols and a 3-year warranty. Especially useful for perimeter monitoring and applications where leaks can occur over a widely dispersed area, the system detects most flammable hydrocarbon gases and vapours.

Selectable gas settings include methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, butane and propylene.

A linear 4-20mA current source indicates 0 to 5 LEL-meters gas concentration, with +/-0.1 LEL-meters repeatability.

Lower output levels indicate calibration or blocked beam/fault condition.

RS-485 Modbus communication protocol is provided, and HART communication will be available by Q4 of 2003.

A unique xenon flashlamp configuration provides exceptional system service life, while also providing redundant bulb operation.

If either flashlamp fails, the back-up lamp takes over normal operation with no loss of protection or sensitivity.

A signal is generated that notifies operations that the system is operating on a single lamp.

The failed lamp may be replaced when time allows.

System diagnostics information is provided by an on-board, tri-colour LED, as well as analogue signal levels.

Optional relay outputs include two programmable alarm relays and one general fault relay.

Alarm thresholds are set using Modbus communication, which also provides viewing of system history logs.

Installation is simplified through the use of indicating laser.

The system also delivers exceptional misalignment tolerance of +/-0.5deg.

The system is housed in flameproof enclosures approved for use in Class 1, Division 1 or CENELEC Zone 1 hazardous areas and having ingress protection to IP66, NEMA 4X.

On-board heaters in both the transmitter and receiver modules melt snow and ice, enabling unattended and uninterrupted operation in inclement weather.

New video smoke detection company, Detector Technologies (D-TEC) launches 'VSD-IP' a TCP/IP product for local, remote or web based video camera based detection of fire
Formed recently as a joint venture between Intelligent Security Limited (ISL) and Anglo Design Holdings (ADH), Detector Technologies (D-Tec) has been created to develop and market a network capable, camera based, smoke detection system for the fire industry. ISL developed the world's first video camera based, smoke detection system (VSD) and has a vast amount of experience in this technology. Using standard CCTV cameras as sensors, the VSD-IP system uses extensive image processing detection algorithms to identify the distinctive characteristics of smoke and flame patterns.

The result being a visual indication highlighted for the operator to quickly determine the source of the fire.

As the system takes the detection to the fire by using line-of-sight devices, the VSD-IP will detect a fire far quicker than conventional methods as it doesn't have to wait for the smoke to reach the detector, if in fact it ever will (eg externally or large warehouses/hangars).

This, combined with the fact that the operator knows the exact place and extent of the fire, gives the VSD-IP unrivalled speed of response to potential fires.

Supported by ADH embedded software and hardware platform using TCP/IP, the new network based product, VSD-IP, gives the capability of monitoring any number of areas in any number of sites around the World by any number of users.

Apart from the previously mentioned advantages of the detection and display technology, the flexibility of IP based systems allows the use of existing networks that can lead to lower costs over hard-wired layouts and strong integration possibilities.

VSD technology is now well established and has won many recent awards including The Queen's Award for Enterprise for Innovation.

Major installations are already in use in power stations, offshore platforms, rail depots and paper mills.