The GUIDED WAVE™ Process Probes and Flow Cells are engineered to provide the critical connection between your process and your analyzer. Designed for online NIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, these rugged fiber optic sample interfaces deliver accurate, real-time measurements in demanding industrial environments while maximizing analyzer performance and minimizing maintenance.

Whether monitoring liquids, gases, slurries, vapors, or corrosive chemicals, GUIDED WAVE insertion probes and flow cells provide exceptional optical efficiency, stable measurements, and long-term reliability for continuous process monitoring. Compatible with GUIDED WAVE analyzers and many third-party spectrometers, these sample interfaces support a wide range of industrial spectroscopy applications.

Why the Sample Interface Matters

Even the most advanced spectrometer depends on the quality of the sample interface.

Proper probe and flow cell selection helps:

• Improve analytical accuracy
• Increase signal-to-noise ratio
• Reduce maintenance
• Improve calibration stability
• Extend analyzer life
• Minimize process interruptions
• Reduce sampling errors
• Improve long-term measurement repeatability

A properly engineered sample interface delivers cleaner spectral data, resulting in more reliable chemometric models and better process control.

Complete Portfolio of Process Sample Interfaces

GUIDED WAVE offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive selections of inline spectroscopy sample interfaces.

Insertion Probes

Ideal for direct installation into:

• Process pipelines
• Reactors
• Mix tanks
• Pressure vessels
• Laboratory vessels

Benefits include:

• Eliminate sample loops
• Real-time measurements
• Minimal maintenance
• Excellent optical efficiency
• Factory-aligned optics
• Rugged industrial construction

Process Flow Cells

Designed for applications where direct insertion is not practical.

Available configurations include:

• Multi-Purpose Flow Cells
• High Safety Flow Cells
• Gas Flow Cells
• Heated Flow Cells
• Axial Flow Cells
• Turbidity Flow Cells
• Teflon Flow Cells
• PFA/PEEK Flow Cells

These designs support process safety, sample conditioning, maintenance access, and corrosive service.

Fiber Optic Cables

High-performance fiber optic cables provide:

• Remote analyzer installation
• Low optical loss
• High signal stability
• Reduced electrical hazards
• Flexible installation
• Long-distance measurements

Fiber optic sampling enables analyzers to remain in protected environments while probes operate directly within harsh process conditions.

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Transmission Probes

Inline probes eliminate costly and problematic fast loops and sample systems. Insertion probes can be directly dipped into a laboratory beaker or inserted into a process pipe or reactor, so that the light is truly brought to the sample. There are many types of insertion probes for FT-NIR and UV-VIS process monitoring applications, and just as many companies who manufacture them, such as, Axiom, Bruker, Guided Wave and Hellma. These companies and others manufacture a variety of process analytical insertion probes with different design features and optional accessories to solve a variety of real-world measurement problems.

Insertion Probe Exceptional Light Transmission

The SST, O-SST, Turbidity and the LAB SST and Turbidity Probes all have optics that are permanently aligned at the factory. There is no need for optical adjustments at the time of installation, nor ever any chance for misalignment or varying pathlengths. All the probes reviewed here have exceptional optical performance as well, which means more signal, lower measurement noise, and lower limits of detection. Typically, peak transmission exceeds 40% for the SST and the O-SST. The LAB SST Probe has a typical average transmission that exceeds 30% and the Turbidity Probe exceeds 25%.

Process-Resistant Probe Construction

The SST and O-SST probe houses incoming and outgoing optical-fibers side-by-side in a single 3/4-inch, or 1 inch stainless steel body. This unique, compact design (U.S. Patent #6,043,895) means true transmission which translates to more signal, less noise, better measurements. The process-resistant probe body construction is designed to withstand harsh process conditions.

A Simple, Serviceable Probe Design

The design features of all the probes listed here meet the harsh demands of the process environment. The body of the probes are built from 316L stainless steel or, by special order, other corrosion resistant materials. The Probe’s sapphire optical windows are sealed to the probe body with proprietary gold alloy brazing. These materials are unaffected by most hydrocarbons and polymers. Additionally, our special construction techniques also make the probe insensitive to most process pipe vibrations.

Flexible Designs for Diverse Applications

We offer a wide range of customizable sample interfaces tailored to your specific process needs. Our probes and flow cells can be configured to meet unique requirements such as:

• High/low temperature and pressure conditions
• Compatibility with liquids, gases, and slurries
• Easy installation and low-maintenance operation

Whether your application is in chemical manufacturing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, or food and beverage processing, our probes and flow cells are designed to maximize efficiency and measurement accuracy. Contact us today.

SAMPLE INTERFACES

Our GUIDED WAVE sample interfaces, including probes and flow cells, are used in a variety of applications across multiple industries. They are commonly used for in-line process measurements in the chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries.

In the chemical industry, these interfaces are used for process monitoring and control, including the measurement of reaction kinetics and product quality. In the oil and gas industry, they are used for the measurement properties, such as density, viscosity, and other physical/chemical properties.

In the food and beverage industry, the interfaces are used for quality control, including the measurement of moisture, fat, protein, and sugar content. In the pharmaceutical industry, they are used for drug development, process monitoring, and quality control.

In the environmental industry, the interfaces are used for water quality monitoring, including the measurement of organic compounds and nutrients in wastewater treatment plants. They are also used for air quality monitoring, including the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other air pollutants.

CRN CERTIFIED PROBES FOR PROCESS SPECTROSCOPY

Several GUIDED WAVE probes and flow cells have Canadian Registration Number (CRN) certification. A CRN is a number issued to the design of a pressure vessel or fitting by each province or territory of Canada. The CRN identifies that the design has been accepted and registered for safe installation and use. CRN certified probes and flow cells are engineered by Guided Wave to meet the strict safety and application requirements for the Canadian petrochemical, refining, and polymer markets. By coupling these probes with certified (CSA, ATEX, IECEX) process analyzers, GUIDED WAVE can offer complete process monitoring solutions to Canadian customers. Guided Wave currently has CRN registered designs for Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. However, complete process monitoring solutions for all provinces can be implemented – contact us for more information. All CRN probe designs include hydrotest and x-ray test results.

Flow Cells For FT-NIR and UV-VIS Process Monitoring Applications

Analytical process measurement manufacturers have developed a variety of flow cells to address all types of application challenges. From metal intolerance, corrosive sample streams, to those involving extremely hazardous materials, there is a flow cell that has been specifically engineered to meet these requirements.

Exceptional Flow Cell Light Transmission

All the flow cells listed here have exceptional optical performance. This means more signal and lower measurement noise translating to lower limits of detection.

Transmission for Teflon Flow Cells

The peak transmission for the standard Teflon Flow Cell exceeds 50% and the Teflon PFA/PEEK Flow Cell is guaranteed to exceed 45%. Typically, the longer the path length the lower the transmission. However, where the Axial Flow Cell is concerned, its peak transmission exceeds 30% which is considerably higher than it’s competition.

Transmission for Metal Flow Cells

Like the other optical flow cells listed the metal flow cells all provide exceptional optical performance. Both the Multi-Purpose Flow Cell and the Heated version provide exceptional optical performance, typically exceeding peak transmissions of 50%. Where the Axial Flow Cell is concerned, its peak transmission exceeds 30% which is considerably higher than other brands on the market.

Teflon Flow Cell vs. Metal Flow Cell Construction

The Metal Flow Cells comes standard in 316L stainless steel but other alloys are available. Suitable o-ring materials must be specified to meet your process chemistry and safety requirements. Common materials, such as Viton, Kalrez®, EPDM, etc., are readily available.

Regarding the Teflon Flow Cells, since no metal parts come in contact with the liquid stream, the design is ideal for processes where even parts per billion levels of metals contamination can create serious problems as in semiconductor fabrication etching and cleaning steps.

A Simple, Serviceable Flow Cell Design

The flow cells listed here provide a convenient, compact, rugged sample interface, that is easy to install and even easier to service. The flow cell’s sapphire windows can be cleaned by simply removing a clean-out plug for direct access to the windows without disconnecting process lines or fiber optic cables.

If necessary, the flow cells can be completely disassembled for inspection or deep cleaning. The reassemble step is easily accomplished without changing the critical pathlength, an important feature when working with established NIR calibration models.

Common Integration with Most Spectrometers

Fiber optic systems configured with SMA 905 connectors can be fully integrated with any of the flow cells listed. Connecting the flow cell with fibers having a core diameter of 400 to 600 micron to the NIR analyzer will provide the best optical performance. Also for the best optimal performance, optically match the sample interface to both the spectrometer and the fiber optic cable when possible.

All flow cells recommended below are compatible with FT-NIR and dispersive analyzers. They have been manufactured to facilitate full integration with any fiber-optic spectrophotometer manufacturer. They are compatible with Guided Wave’s instruments, Bruker’s Matrix FT-NIR analyzer, ABB’s full line of FT-NIR spectrometers, and AIT’s optical analyzers.

Types of Teflon Flow Cells

For example, the Teflon Flow Cell, along with the PFA/PEEK Teflon Flow Cell and the Axial Teflon Flow Cell were all designed for sample streams that are either extremely corrosive or intolerant to metal contamination, as none of the cell’s wetted parts are constructed of metal.

• Teflon Flow Cell
• PFA/PEEK Teflon Flow Cell
• Axial Teflon Flow Cell

Types of Metal Flow Cells

Whether you need to maintain the temperature of a preconditioned sample, have a process involving extremely hazardous materials, or need to achieve low levels of detection there is a metal flow cell to do the job. The high optical throughput and exceptional stability of the Multi-Purpose Flow Cell, Axial Flow Cell and High Safety Flow Cell can solve the toughest measurement issues when a flow cell is required.

• Multi-Purpose Flow Cell
• Heated Multi-Purpose Flow Cell
• High Safety Flow Cell
• Axial Flow Cell