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Part 2-Choosing - The - Right - Gas - Analyzer - Ebook
Part 2-Choosing - The - Right - Gas - Analyzer - Ebook
the Right Gas Analyzer:
Part 2, Additional Considerations
Evaluating and achieving your process gas analysis needs
can sometimes be a daunting exercise. Whether the
Engineering Project Team includes team members from
various departments or it boils down to one or two key
personnel, as decision makers you will be looking to gather
as much information as possible to find the right off‐gas
analysis equipment that fits your Engineering specifications
while also maintaining budget constraints and project
timeline.
Assuming that the vendor’s offer meets the basic
requirements of the engineering specification for gas
analysis, the final choice is often made based on:
Previous experience: are they still relevant for my need?
Best price
Quickest delivery
These considerations however, should be just the starting
point of the discussion. Filtering out vendors based only
on price, lead time or familiarity may omit from the
conversation other important considerations such as plant
integration; equipment up‐time, and long‐term reliability.
Each of these factors will affect the “buy‐in” of plant
operators and maintenance staff and whether the
equipment will be viewed as a help or a hindrance.
This eBook will touch upon the top 7 additional
considerations in your search for reliable process off‐gas
analysis. These additional considerations will help you build
confidence in finding a reputable off‐gas analysis solution
provider who can add fresh perspective and create value
for your process operation for years to come.
1. Open Communication with Project Team: what is the advantage of
utilizing the “expert” supplier early on in the process?
2. Flexibility of Solution: is a standard, customized or configured
solution required?
3. Ease of Use: is the equipment easily adoptable at all levels within the
organization?
4. Established Durability: is the design and build going to meet my
expectation?
5. Ease of Service: can corrective action be achieved in house, and with
minimal intervention from the supplier?
6. Reputation and Brand: what are the merits of considering niche,
mid‐size and multi‐national suppliers?
7. Considering value vs. price: are the true differences in value proposition
between each vendor clear to all stakeholders?
Let’s discuss these additional considerations in more detail.
While off‐gas analysis does not have to be This is where the gas analysis
excessively complex, it should be viewed provider can bring real value to the dis‐
as more than just basic instrumentation cussion. Having that authoritative voice
and not considered as just another piece on the subject matter will not only assist
of equipment that needs to be purchased. to build confidence in the decision
There must be consensus among the making process, but it will also provide
Project Team as to why off‐gas analysis is valuable insight for those “what to do if”
required. scenarios that may arise.
The following list of objectives should be The off‐gas analysis supplier should be
evaluated to ensure that the right able to strike a balance between off‐the‐
equipment will meet the needs shelf solutions and any special needs of
addressed: the customer. For the customer, the
to improve fuel economy buying process becomes less about
buying a device, and more about
to improve plant productivity
collaboration and building partnership.
to improve safety for workers who
interface with fuel burning equipment
to improve process quality
to reduce process scrap
to reduce process maintenance times
to detect, report or reduce undesirable
exhaust emissions such as carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides and particulate matter
Or, other objectives that are unique to the
application or location
Project Managers have to meet project Ultimately, if operators or plant
demands (time/budget) and thus, want management become frustrated with
“plug in” equipment that works out of an analyzer that is prone to failure or is
the box and may not be as concerned difficult to repair, they may choose to
with the operational features. The by‐pass the unit or turn it off. This
reality is that the Engineering Project outcome will negate the original
Team will have moved on from the reasons for installing the equipment in
project just as the operations and the first place.
maintenance team is beginning to learn
about the equipment.
An intelligent supplier offer will include
equipment that plant engineering,
From an Operators’ viewpoint, off‐gas operators, and maintenance will easily
analysis equipment should be as accept and adopt into their daily,
straightforward to understand and use weekly and monthly routines. This will
as possible. Operators will develop ensure that the gas analysis equipment
either an “adopt or avoid” mentality, is maintained for optimal performance.
especially if they perceive the equipment
to be a “black box” that requires special
training or special tools to repair. The While an experienced off‐gas analysis
harder it is to operate, the more likely supplier will acknowledge that
the equipment will be viewed as a analytical equipment is not
hindrance rather than a solution. indestructible, they will also be able to
speak to these issues up front with
authoritative customer dialogue, valid
field experience, and innovative
approaches to product support. Such
suppliers can offer a more intelligent
and realistic conversation.
Are there features or capabilities to Are there features or capabilities to protect
prevent intrusion of corrosive gases or the gas sensors or sample conditioning in
dust from entering the cabinet during the event that there is an unanticipated or
operation or even when the equipment is undeclared process upset condition?
turned off and /or not yet installed? This could include flow alarm, automatic
These might include cabinet purge pump shut‐off in the event that the filters
systems for hazardous environments or become clogged pre‐maturely, automatic
cabinet positive pressure systems for non‐ sensor by‐pass or refresh to prevent sen‐
hazardous environments. sors from being poisoned, or redundant
sensors to give additional protection
Are there features or capabilities to
against unintentional damage.
protect the gas analyzer components in
the event that the operator or Does the gas analyzer provide the plant
maintenance is unable to perform even the operations team with feedback on the
most basic preventative maintenance health of the analyzer with some
activities? suggestions for preventive maintenance?
These might include electronics that have This may include on‐board sensor
been either potted or coated to prevent diagnostics that might detect when a
corrosion, the use of stainless steel or sensor may be compromised, or
PTFE components, automatic cabinet preventative maintenance alerts that send
heater shut‐off, or exposure alarms in the a signal to the control room that a filter,
event that the cabinet is left open for too sensor or pump diaphragm need to be
long. changed.
By taking a proactive line of inquiry,
the Engineering Project Team will be in
a better position to evaluate the
quality and completeness of the offer
from the gas analyzer supplier.
Valuable insight may also be gained
into the expected long‐term reliability
and durability of the gas analysis
solution.
‘Black Box’ Architecture While this approach can be convenient, it will
Many off‐gas analysis suppliers will provide require a reasonable level of technical capabil‐
equipment whereby filters and consumable ity, specifically in the area of electronics and
components can be easily sourced. However, gas sensors.
when more complicated issues occur,
information about how to troubleshoot and ‘Hybrid Open’ Architecture
fix the analyzer may be limited or unavailable. In recent years gas analyzer suppliers have
In some cases, special tools and skills may be shifted towards designing the gas analyzer to
required to determine the problem area. allow for various levels of interrogation,
troubleshooting, service, and repair. For
Added cost and lost time will result if the operators with limited skill sets, these
equipment needs to be returned to the suppliers will offer a “swap and go” approach
supplier/OEM. If a service technician with to solving technical problems. In this way,
special skills and specialized tools needs to be failed parts or modules are easily identified,
called onsite, an even higher repair bill may extracted, and quickly exchanged to get the
result. equipment back up and running.
For more sophisticated operators, a higher
‘Open Box’ Architecture level of access to the inner workings of the
Off‐gas analysis suppliers that offer this type gas analyzer is offered, usually by connecting
of equipment will provide relevant instruction a laptop to the gas analyzer, whereby photos,
manuals to encourage the customer to take troubleshooting guides and spare parts lists
the equipment apart and do all manner of can be accessed.
troubleshooting at their own pace/time.
Replacement parts will either be readily By evaluating which style of architecture
available and or can be obtained from local is best suited for your need, it will enable
suppliers. you to choose the vendor that will be in
the best position to fulfill your off‐gas
analysis needs.
With the abundance of information available on the world wide web, customers are
arming themselves with knowledge and are becoming increasingly more discerning in
their purchasing practices. But without an experienced gas analysis supplier to bring
direction, additional information can also bring additional confusion. A live
representative who is willing to take the time to understand your process will result
in a much more intelligent exchange of information. When the right questions are
asked, the right solutions can be proposed and the end value to your business is a
more relevant solution for your need.
A true expert in the area of off‐gas analysis should be able to address other important
needs such as versatile product features, durability & reliability, service & delivery
capabilities, your return on investment, and their ongoing pursuit to be innovative.
Considering these elements will result in choosing an off‐gas analysis supplier that is a
valuable partner who measures your success as their success, and grows with you and
your business in the years to come.
When it comes to dependable off‐gas analysis for your process, you will want to ensure
that you are partnering with a supplier who can think out of the box for optimal
process performance.
Nova’s approach to customer service and quality of product has been built on 40 years
of durable and rugged analyzers manufactured on a modular platform. Our turn key
solutions are based on trusted technology for a range of industrial applications with the
goal to keeping you up and running with reliable equipment, expert service and value
for your dollar.
This is our guarantee and promise to you. If you are looking for an off‐gas analysis
supplier that can bring harmony to your project team and to your process, contact us
today for further information on how our philosophy on customer service and our
DuraNOVA product line can assist you to reach your goal.
For further guidance on the technical considerations when specifying and selecting a
gas analyzer, please consult our related eBook "How to Choose a Gas Analyzer That is
Right for You", available at www.nova‐gas.com.