Here are a few examples of OEM applications.
Steel Manufacturing – A large steel manufacturer in Pennsylvania hired SpectraSensors to help with process control issue in a large decarburization plant. The process in the furnaces depended on the water content in the furnace which contained mostly hydrocarbon gases and nitrogen. Hot pipes penetrated the furnace walls to bring gas to the sensor area. The analyzer detected very high levels of moisture with dew points up to 70°C, and the sensor head and sample lines had to be maintained above the Dew Point at roughly 75°C. The laser source and detectors were connected to the sample cell with fiber optics so that the laser/detector and control electronics could be mounted in a safe, remotely located area.
Petroleum Refinery – Ammonia is added to petroleum refinery process streams to quench nitrous oxides (NOX) which are harmful to the environment. The technique is called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The EPA has implemented laws that say that refineries must now monitor the ammonia emissions in the effluent of their smoke stacks in addition to NOx. SpectraSensors was contracted by an analytical instrument manufacturer specializing in this industry to manufacture an optical sensor for this application. The sensor had an open path (non-extractive) and detected ammonia is the effluent background which mostly consists of air, water and carbon dioxide.
Emissions Monitoring – EPA Laws regulate the combustion emissions of power plants, refineries, smelting, as well as ships on the sea that are above a certain tonnage. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) methods have been used as a means of testing for nitric oxide (NO) and other compounds. SpectraSensors was approached by an FTIR company to build an analyzer system to quantify moisture in the gas in order to improve their spectrum analyses for NO and CO. The requirement was special in that the gas had a very high content of moisture and the measurement was relatively course and the device was relatively low-cost.
Semiconductor – Semiconductor processes involve very pure and tightly controlled gas processes. SpectraSensors designed and manufactured a sensor for a very large consumer products semiconductor manufacturer. The measurements were taken at various processing steps to detect ppb levels of water in high purity process gases such as HBr, NF3, HCL, and C12. The data rate requirement was 10Hz which is relatively unique, but well within the capabilities of SpectraSensors electronics’ capabilities.
Other Industries where SpectraSensors products can serve: Combustion Control and Continuous Emission Monitoring for Petrochemical Processing, Aluminum Smelting, Breweries, Paper Pulp, Landfills, and many more.
