ProAm was formally launched at IWEX 2003
The all new ProAm analyser for the determination of ammoniacal-nitrogen was officially launched at the IWEX exhibition in Birmingham, November 2003. The instrument received considerable interest from prospective end users for its simplicity and the innovative measuring technique which underpins its design.
The instrument has undergone extensive in-house and field testing since its original development earlier in the year. A number of units have already been sold and installed at key customer sites. Based on current feedback we anticipate that this instrument is set to establish itself as the preferred instrument for several UK water companies. The units installed industry applications have also given un-paralleled operational and measurement reliability.
Key advantages include:
- Compact design using a proven technique
- No filtration typically required due to large tubing & pinch valve technology
- Automatic cleaning as standard, improves reliability
- Simple user friendly operation
- Low detection limit (0.05ppm)
- Low capital and running costs
- Minimum maintenance requirements
The analyser comprises of an Ion Selective Electrode (ISE), reaction vessel, peristaltic pump unit and microprocessor controlling electronics.
The sensor is a gas sensitive electrode used to report ammoniacal-nitrogen concentration in liquids. A reagent is added to the sample and the ammonium is converted to ammonia which diffuses through the electrode’s membrane. The electrode potential changes logarithmically according to the level of ammonia in the sample.
The standard instrument can be ranged from 0-1ppm to 0-500ppm as required with special applications up to 1,000ppm. Calibration takes place at two points, low and high. The calibration sequence is used to validate measurement performance and alarm an unacceptable response from the electrode.
The detected concentration is displayed locally on the instrument’s LCD and can also be connected to telemetry. In addition to the analogue 4-20mA output, there are two user programmable alarm set points as well as two utility alarm relays. These may be configured for the loss of sample/calibration/reagent/wash solutions and poor probe sensitivity. A fourth relay can be assigned for either no sample or an off-line alarm (to indicate when the instrument is calibrating or cleaning). Other communication protocols are also being developed.
The instrument is designed to run as an automatic analyser but manual intervention may be initiated from the tactile keypad. The ProAm is typically configured for continuous measurement but intermittent analysis may also be programmed to further conserve reagents.
Typically, the analyser is installed to sample from a fast sample loop without the need for pre-filtration. For some applications, it is possible to use the internal peristaltic sample pump to deliver the sample direct from source, further saving on installation and running costs. The analyser requires a frost protected environment to preserve the reagents and if a suitable building is not locally available then only a small engineered secondary enclosure is required to house the compact analyser.
For further information on how PPM can support your instrumentation requirement please contact:
Steven Tuck
Pollution & Process Monitoring Ltd
Tel: 01732 882044
Fax: 01732 780190
Email: s.tuck@pollution-ppm.co.uk
