SIGNAL

AMBITECH Data Sheet

AMBIRAK Analysis Techniques

The module determines the ozone concentration in the sample by

UV Photometric - for Ozone measuring the attenuation of UV radiation due to the presence of ozone in
the absorption cell at a wavelength of 254 nanometers.

Signal to µC The sample gas to be measured is drawn into the analyser by a diaphragm
pump and passes through a particulate filter before passing directly or via a
catalytic converter to the absorption cell. The converter selectively
changes the ozone in the sample to oxygen thereby generating an ozone
free reference gas. The reference gas and sample gas are sequentially
introduced onto the absorption cell by the operation of a solenoid valve.
The gas is drawn through the absorption cell and is exposed to a beam of
UV light generated by a lamp at one end and whose light intensity is detected
Source at the other. When the refence gas passes through the cell a "zero" light
intensity reading (IO) is established which is stored as reference value by a
Sample
microprocessor. When the sample gas has displaced the reference gas
Detector the sample gas light intensity measurement (I) is made. The ratio I/IO is a
measure of the light absorbed and is directly related to the concentration of
Absorption cell ozone in the sample. The quantity of light absorbed by the gas is
Catalytic
Calibration proportional to the mass of ozone contained in the absorption cell. Since
Converter the microprocessor output signal is required to be proportional to the
gas
volume of ozone within the cell, it is necessary to compensate for the
Reference gas temperature and pressure of the gas in the cell. Temperature and
pressure transducers are used for this purpose.
Calibration
An internal ozone generator is used to generate a known concentration of
ozone to allow the module response to be checked. Zero grade air
produced by an internally mounted scrubber, passes into a cell containing
a UV lamp. This converts a small quality of oxygen to ozone. The amount
of ozone generated depends upon the intensity of the UV light.

Sample is burnt in a small hydrogen flame, leading to the formation of ions

Flame Ionisation Detection (FID) - for from organics present. By applying a potential between the flame and a
Methane/Non-Methane /Total Hydrocarbons collector electrode, an ion current is set up which is essentially
proportional to the carbon and hydrogen content of the species present.
Ionisation current
This low current output is then fed into a microcontroller. The flame is
signal to µC ignited by a glo-plug mounted in the detector, and operated via the control
Detector
computer. The detector is mounted within a heated module to eliminate
Vent FID
Detector
condensation and subsequent corrosion problems.
Anode

Converter NC
AIR/
COM Cathode
The methane/non-methane hydrocarbon module operates on a cyclic
Sample
Pump
NO
NO
basis using a reactive hydrocarbon scubber to remove non-methane
Span
COM
hydrocarbons and determine methane concentration. The methane
NC
concentration is subtracted from the total hydrocarbon providing 3
continuous outputs for total hydrocarbons, methane and non-methane
Furnace hydrocarbons.
Bypass
Vent Calibration
The module is supplied with solenoid valves. These permit span gas to
be introduced into the analyser for calibration. Zero gas and detector air
are produced internally by a catalytic furnace
Fuel

Converter option

Chemiluminescence - for NO, NO2, NOx The module is based on the chemiluminescence reaction between nitric
oxide (NO) and ozone.
(NH3 optional)
NO + O3 → NO2* + O2 NO2* → NO2 + hv
Clean,
dry air The NO produced in the reaction is an electronically excited state which
quickly decays giving a light output hv proportional to NO concentration.
O3 Generator
This is detected using a photomultiplier tube. Measurement of NOX is
accomplished by means of a molybdenum catalytic converter which
Reaction Chamber converts NO2 to NO prior to reaction with ozone. The ozone required for
the reaction is generated internally within the instrument. The
chemiluminescence signal from the reaction chamber is detected and
Photomultiplier amplified by the photomultiplier tube and fed into the microcontroller. The
tube (PMT) module is operated with a pump on the reaction chamber exhaust
producing a chamber vacuum of 530mm Hg.
NO2, NO Signal By installing an additional stainless steel converter both NOx and NH3 may
Converter to µC be measured. The NH3 contained in the sample gas is converted by
catalytic oxidation to NO, viz: 2NH3 + 2½O2 → 2NO + 3H2O
To vent
O3 Calibration
Scrubber The module is supplied with two solenoid valves which permit zero and
Pump span gases to be introduced into the analyser for calibration. As an option
the unit can be fitted with an internal span check permeation calibrator.
Sample

Signal Group Ltd, Ambitech Division, Regal Way, Faringdon, Oxon. England SN7 7BX Specifications subject to change without notice.
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1367 242660 All trademarks acknowledged
Fax: + 44 (0) 1367 242700
Email: ambitech@signal-group.com Publication reference: DS20
Web: http://www.signal-group.com Date of Issue: 08/00
SIGNAL
AMBITECH Data Sheet
Sample gas is drawn into a fluorescence chamber where it is exposed to UV
UV Fluorescence - for SO2 light. The UV light is chopped, filtered and focused into the fluorescence
(H2S optional) chamber where it excites the SO2 molecules into a higher energy state. As
this energy decays the excited SO2 modules emit a characteristic radiation. A
second filter allows only radiation at the characteristic wave length to reach
the photomultiplier tube (D1) which converts the radiation into electrical
impulses. These impulses are filtered, amplified and scaled by analyser
Signal to µC electronics to provide a signal to a microcontroller.

A photodetector (D2) at the end of the chamber automatically provides

compensation for fluctuations in lamp output.

D1 Restrictor Sample gas is drawn into the module by the diaphragm pump. It passes
Chopper through a particulate filter and a hydrocarbon "kicker". This latter device
removes aromatic hydrocarbons from the sample to prevent interference of
UV Fluorescence the SO2 measurement. It operates on a selective permeation principle,
allowing only hydrocarbon molecules to pass through the inner tube wall
Chamber
across which there is a differential pressure. A vacuum pressure indicator is
D2 used to monitor the differential pressure of the kicker which is held at
UV Source
approximately 250mm Hg.

H2S measurement
HCs Kicker By installing an H2S convertor module within the analyser both H2S and SO2
PI may be measured. This optional module is installed in the sample inlet line
Sample just upstream of the hydrocarbon kicker. The H2S contained in the sample
gas is converted by catalytic oxidation to SO2 viz:
Zero

Span 2H2S + 3O2 → 2SO2 + 2H2O

Vent The microcontroller controls the operation of the solenoid operated three way
valve so that the sample bypasses the converter on a cyclic basis. The
analyser then measures SO2 and total sulphur with H2S concentration being
computed from the difference.
Calibration
The module is supplied with two solenoid valves. These permit zero and
span gases to be introduced into the analyser for calibration. As an option
the unit can be fitted with an internal span check permation calibrator.

This module utilises the infra red absorption characteristics of gaseous

species to measure concentration and operates on the sample switching
Dual Beam NDIR - for CO basis for enhanced sensitivity. An infra red source generates broad band
radiation, which is modulated by a mechanical chopper designed to produce
two parallel synchronous beams. These are transmitted through two parallel
cells, viz a reference cell and a sample cell containing flowing gas sample.
Energy transmitted through the two cells reaches the detector which is a
CO/CO2 mass flow type with two parallel chambers fitted with the gaseous species to
SV1 Converter SV2
be measured. Infra red energy reaching the detector chamber heats the gas
To vent causing expansion due to a specific infra-red absorption. A small flowpath
between the two chambers contains a microflow sensor. If there is no
measured species in the sample gas, the energy reaching both sides of the
mass flow detector is identical. Therefore, no flow develops between the two
chambers.
Chopper
When the sample contains the measured species, the specific absorption of
Reference the species causes a reduction in the energy transmitted through the sample
cell, hence reducing the expansion in the sample side of the detector. This
IR produces an oscillating flow between the chambers, which is related in
Source frequency to the chopper speed, and in amplitude to the concentration of the
Sample
species in the cell. Sample gas drawn from the atmosphere is split into
separate sample and reference flow paths. Reference gas for the reference
cell is generated internally by a catalytic CO/CO2 converter which oxidises all
the CO to CO2. The measurement is therefore made on a different basis,
eliminating the effects of potential interfering species. Additionally every 50
seconds solenoid valves SV2, SV3 switch over the functions of the two cells,
Span gas which provide automatic compensation for zero drift. The signal from the flow
sensor is fed into the microcontroller.

SV4 SV3
Sample

Options

The NOx and SO2 analysers can be fitted with a permeation bench for daily calibration checks. Span gas is generated by means of a permation device
containing either SO2 or NO2 held liquid under its own vapour pressure. A membrane releases SO2 or NO2 vapour by permeation at a mass emission rate
dependent only on temperature. The device is maintained in a temperature controlled chamber. The SO2 or NO2 generated is diluted when required by
scrubbed ambient air, drawn by the analyser sample pump. The small mass flow emission of the device is therefore diluted to a concentration of SO2 or NO2
in air within the range of the analyser, allowing response checks to be carried out.

The span gas concentration from the permeation device is certified for each unit. Calibration accuracy is ±5%.

Signal Group Ltd, Ambitech Division, Regal Way, Faringdon, Oxon. England SN7 7BX Specifications subject to change without notice.
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1367 242660 All trademarks acknowledged
Fax: + 44 (0) 1367 242700
Email: ambitech@signal-group.com Publication reference: DS20
Web: http://www.signal-group.com Date of Issue: 08/00