Q: What About Corrosive Material? Does it Matter with a Custom Flow Cell?

No problem.  With a long history of designing custom probes and flow cells to meet specific or unique customer applications and challenges, the toughest (and most expensive) flow cell ever built by Process Insights was recently released. The reason for the high price is that it is made from B2 Hastelloy^®, a rare material used only for the most severe chemical processes. Hastelloy, a nickel alloy, is a more exotic and expensive material than stainless steel typically used for standard flow cell body construction. Hastelloy is usually the best alternative when dealing with an extremely corrosive process stream, and stainless steel is deemed unsuitable for the process.

Q: Are Pyrophoric Fires a Concern? 

For most customers, our innovative, first in the industry, built-in cleaning port is a welcomed feature of our flow cell. It allows the cell’s sapphire windows to be cleaned by simply removing a clean-out plug. This direct access to the windows without disconnecting process lines or fiber optic cables is convenient and makes maintenance easier and more cost effective. However, a recent customer came to us with a pyrophoric process. Their process cannot tolerate the possibility of the flow cell cleaning port being accidentally opened, exposing the stream to outside air. As a result, we designed a new flow cell without the window to relieve safety concerns and to remove the “what ifs?”

Whether standard or custom designs, many of our probes can be optimized for the UV, Visible or NIR spectral regions or supplied with custom fiber diameters and connectors to match a variety of optical requirements. We also supply probes manufactured in compliance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or Canadian Registration Number (CRN) pressure vessel standards.

Q: CRN Certified Probes for Process Spectroscopy

As of October 2019, we have submitted more than 3,500 different design configurations for our probes and flow cells for 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 us 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, we 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 sales include hydrotest and x-ray test results.

Q: I’m not using a Process Insights NIR UV VIS analyzer.  Is the SST probe compatible with my Bruker analyzer?

Not using one of our analyzers is no problem. Our probe and flow cells are compatible with most analyzers on the market.

Q: Do you have a Large Variety of Compatible Probes and Flow Cells?

Process Insights offers a variety of probes, flow cells and fiber optic cables that meet the harsh demands of the process environment. Several have auxiliary features and are compatible with all our analyzers as well as other fiber optic-based analyzers manufactured by different companies. Examples are; ANALECT™, ABB, Bruker and Yokogawa. If we do not have a probe or flow cell that meets your precise needs, we will look at your application, judge its feasibility, and make recommendations on how to proceed. With over 30 years of probe design experience, we are ready for the challenge! Please contact us with your sample interface questions or requirements.

Q: What are some Hastelloy B2 Characteristics?

• Great resistance to stress corrosion cracking and pitting
• Significant resistance to reducing conditions like hydrogen chloride, sulfuric, acetic and phosphoric acids
• Resistance to hydrochloric acid at all concentrations and temperatures