#178 - Nova Analyzers from the Field – Episode 6

In the 'Analyzers from the Field' series, we normally post a couple of pictures and write a brief summary of an instrument that has turned up in our Service Department. The older instruments always seem to have some kind of story around them which can be informative and interesting.

In this episode, we feature some equipment that has just recently been installed into the field at a Direct Reduced Iron plant in the southern USA. The DRI process directly reduces iron ore to iron. The produced product is iron pellets that have flexible options for transport or direct use in steelmaking.

Mass spectroscopy is used by some steel makers to obtain analysis of the process gases in and around the DRI reactor. The main advantage of this technique is that it is versatile in terms of analytical capability. Numerous types of gases may be measured by a mass spectrometer. However, mass spec technology can be complex. The sample conditioning requirements are stringent. It is therefore sensible to have a back-up plan in case of unexpected interruptions in the gas analysis data.

These Nova analyzers were installed as a robust back-up to the mass spec for the key gases being analyzed in the DRI reaction. There were four points in the process considered important enough to have back-up analyzers on.

Continuous gas analysis on these units is as follows:

0-20.0 % CO2

0-40.0 % CH4

0-60.0 % H2

- Cabinet temperature management for installation out-doors in -5°C to 48°C.

- Hazardous Area Cabinet for installation in Class 1 Division 2 Group B rated area.

The sample gas contained metallic dust and was typically under pressure (6.2-10.8Barg / 90-160psig). This required filtration at the extraction point along with regulation down to usable pressures. A sample extraction assembly was provided at each sample point.

The plant is still under construction at this time. However, the analyzer installation was well-executed and we are confident that the systems will function as expected. Here is a link to these analyzers in our catalog.

Episode 1 - old portable flue gas with dual CO channel
Episode 2 - portable ppm H2 analyzer for university metallurgical lab
Episode 3 - ex-proof H2 analyzer in South Africa
Episode 4 - 14yr old continuous CO/H2 analyzer on heat treat furnace
Episode 5 - 3 channel CO2 analyzer for fire suppression apps

If a system like this is of interest to you, contact Nova for details.

1-800-295-3771

sales at nova-gas dot com

websales at nova-gas dot com

http://www.nova-gas.com/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

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