Servomex Gas Analysis Solutions

Extract up to 5% More Profit: Utilising Trace Nitrogen Analysis to Optimise ASU Argon Yield

Dr Stephen Firth, Servomex.

Servomex Gas Analysis Solutions

MultiExact% O2 Purity

MultiExact% O2 Purity

MultiExact% O2 Purity

MultiExactTrace O2

MultiExactTrace O2

k2001Trace N2

k4000Trace

Impurities

k4000Trace

Impurities

MultiExact% O2

MultiExactTrace O2

k2001Trace N2

MultiExact% O2

MultiExact% O2 Purity

k4000Trace HC

MultiExactTrace CO2

TraceMoisture

SERVOPRO FID

MultiExactTrace N2O

MultiExactTrace CO2

TraceMoisture

MultiExact% O2 Purity

MultiExact% O2 Purity

MultiExact% O2 Purity

MultiExactTrace O2

MultiExact/ DeltaF 310Trace O2

PlasmaTrace N2

ChromaTrace

Impurities

ChromaTrace

Impurities

MultiExact% O2

ChromaTrace N2 TCD

MultiExactTrace O2

PlasmaTrace N2

MultiExact% O2

MultiExact% O2 Purity

Chroma/FIDTrace HC

MultiExactTrace CO2

TraceMoisture

SERVOPRO FID

MultiExactTrace N2O

MultiExactTrace CO2

TraceMoisture

MultiExact/ DeltaF 310Trace O2

MultiExactTrace HC

ASU Sample Stream – Typical Measurements

Argon Extraction In Cryogenic ASU

• Ar draw off point traditionally based on a percentage O2 measurement

• Indirect measurement with limited resolution

• Crude Ar yield compromised so that safe operation can be guaranteed.

Argon Purifier

• To optimize process for argon extraction, the draw-off O2/Ar from O2 LP column can be tuned to keep N2 < 2000ppm with measurement of N2 in Crude Ar

• If column concentration profile too low, high N2 produced- N2 can block condenser of crude Ar column eliminating reflux- Causes a drop in Ar and O2 concentrations in LP

column- Production is lost and can take hours to restart process

• If column concentration profile is too high, high O2 produced- loss of Ar in waste N2- excess O2 enters crude Ar column

Description of Process

Solution

• SERVOPRO Chroma (K4000) to measure N2 in Crude Ar with Plasma Emission Detector

• SERVOPRO Chroma (K4000) with H-Cut Injection and O2 Trap permits interence free measurement of N2 in Ar with up to 90% O2 present

• Provides tighter process control than O2 measurement allowing a higher concentration of Ar taken from LP column without compromising process or damaging Crude Ar Column

SERVOPRO Chroma Trace Gas Analyser

• Gas Chromatograph (GC) technology

• Configurable for the sub ppm analysis of N2 in Crude Ar

• Multipoint analysis provides valuable continuous data from across the separation process

• Each peak reported on screen with a process value (i.e. percentage, ppm or ppb).

SERVOPRO Chroma Trace Gas Analyser

• Chroma configured for the sub ppm analysis of N2 in Crude Ar

• Measurement unobtainable by Trace N2 in Ar analysers due to O2 interference….

• Or thermal conductivity detectors due to low level sensitivity requirement

MultiExact % O2

SERVOPRO Chroma Trace N2

Servomex Gas Analysis Solutions for Cryogenic ASUTypical LP Column Concentration Profile

Recovery can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a yearIncrease yield between 3-5%

Servomex Gas Analysis Solutions for Cryogenic ASUReal Results: Cryogenic ASU with 1700 m3/H capacity

Average output of argon product pre-Chroma: 1700m3/H

Control by Oxygen Analysis

N2 in Ar side column feed measured by the Trace N2 Analyser at 500ppm N2 at draw-off point.

Average output of argon product post-Chroma: 1750m3/H

Argon yield increase circa. 3%.

Typical Payback & Return on Investment

Return on Investment & Payback Results

Plant Operation Variables

Current Ar Output / M3/H 1700

Increase in Output / % 1 2 3

Current Ar Output / M3/H 1717 1734 1751

Additional Output / hour 17 34 51

Additional Output / Month 12240 24480 36720

Monthly Value of Additional Output / Euro

6,120 12,240 18,360

Payback Time / Months 5.7 2.9 1.9

ROI (IRR-1 Year) / % 13.8 33.9 52.1

Summary: ASU Optimization for Argon Extraction

Challenge

Most plants run inefficiently in order to run safely as they do not have effective means to monitor N2 level in draw-off from O2 LP column

Solution

• SERVOPRO Chroma (k4000) configured to measure trace N2 in Ar and O2

• 0-200ppm, 0-2000ppm• Argon recovery can be improved by up to 5%• Payback < 1 year

Servomex Innovation - Ambient Oxygen Gas Detection

• Ambient monitoring in • ASU’s• Bottling Plants• Laboratories

• Non-depleting and highly stable measurement technology

• No sensor replacement• No shelf life issues• long calibration intervals.• No false alarms, Increased Safety

• Servomex paramagnetic technology

• paracube®micro sensor never needs replacing • saving $400 a year / per Oxygen Point

Electrochemical sensor replacement costs per year

• Reduced maintenance

• No loss of reliability means no false alarms• potentially saving $10,000 or more a year

False alarm evacuations per year, lost time and production

JUST LAUNCHED

Summary: ASU Optimization for Argon Extraction

Challenge

Most plants run inefficiently in order to run safely as they do not have effective means to monitor N2 level in draw-off from O2 LP column

Solution

• SERVOPRO Chroma (k4000) configured to measure trace N2 in Ar and O2

• 0-200ppm, 0-2000ppm• Argon recovery can be improved by up to 5%• Payback < 1 year