Promaxion Process Mass Spectrometry Offers On-Line Monitoring of BTEX and Other Ambient Air
PITTSBURGH, PA - Industries that produce or use hazardous substances in their processes are required to monitor the environment in and around their plants and facilities to ensure that concentrations of known pollutants remain below acceptable limits of exposure.
Of particular concern is a class of compounds known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes and are referred to collectively as BTEX. Also included are such highly reactive VOCs as ethylene, propylene, 1-3 butadiene and butanes. The BTEX chemicals are used as solvents or intermediates and occur together in gasoline as well as other petroleum products. All have some acute and long-term effects to human health, while benzene in particular is a known carcinogen.
The ProMaxion® process mass spectrometer from AMETEK Process Instruments provides fast on-line monitoring of VOCs in ambient air in a reliable, easy-to-use instrument. It comes equipped with a membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MIMS) that provides data at 10 to 15 seconds per sample stream and is between 10 and 50 times faster than most GC methods that require separation prior to analysis.
At the heart of the ProMaxion mass spectrometer is a dimethylsilicone membrane inlet coupled directly to its ion source. A sub-atmospheric sampling system draws a sample into the analyzer. The membrane selectively extracts analyte and delivers a highly enriched sample directly to the ion source. The extreme sensitivity of the ProMaxion allows it to detect very low levels of VOC emissions.
The speed of the ProMaxion facilitates the analysis of multiple streams. Up to 80 inlet ports are available providing the option of a centrally located, high stream count, multiple sample point configuration. Another approach is to have fewer sample points to minimize the length of the sample lines and provide the earliest advance notice of contamination. System design depends on plant layout and user preferences.
The proprietary software provides for easy set-up, operation and calibration together with advanced alarm and automation capabilities. Self-diagnostics and a modular design ensure ease of maintenance, and modem support is available for additional factory diagnosis and troubleshooting. Data can be exported using all common industrial protocols as well as dedicated analogue lines to bring the data to a common point for collection. Alarms are available for every stream, and a mathematical package allows data to be presented in various ways.
Mass spectrometry offers direct quantification of the species of interest, as well as a total reading. A single mass ion can be chosen specific to each compound and these masses can be continuously monitored. If a total concentration is required, the mass spectrometer can survey all VOCs or BTEX, total them within the software, and output realtime concentration. This technique also avoids sounding false alarms.
The analyser can periodically scan for mass intensities across the operating range and can detect abnormal conditions such as leaks or other problems. Another advantage of the ProMaxion is its ability to provide rapid measurement of multiple components on the same sample stream. Different calibration and analysis methods can be assigned to each inlet port.
The ProMaxion draws on AMETEK's 20 years of experience in mass spectrometer design and manufacture and more than 30 years experience in the design and development of sophisticated process analyzers.
AMETEK Process Instruments is a unit of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electric motors.
For more information on use of the ProMaxion process mass spectrometer for analysis of volatile organic compounds, contact
AMETEK Process Instruments,
150 Freeport Road,
Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Phone: (412) 828-9040.
Fax: (412) 826-0399.
Web site: www.ametekpi.com
