Considerations for Troubleshooting Your Analyzer
We can help you troubleshoot your process analyzer with valuable insight from subject matter experts.
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Tony Waters is widely acknowledged as the leading expert in the design of sampling systems. His book, Industrial Sampling Systems, captures the knowledge acquired during a career of more than 50 years of practical experience with Industrial Process Analyzers. |
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Waters tackles nine of the most common questions he’s encountered:
"Why can’t I remove (or revaporise) the liquid condensate in my gas sample?”
It’s because the sample has already fractionated and the gas analysis has changed.
"My filter blocks often, so should I be using a bigger filter?”
Yes, a bigger filter will last longer, but it may cause an unacceptable time delay.
“Why is excessive time delay such a common problem with sampling systems?”
It’s a common problem as time delay is invisible. An analyser that is ‘99% reliable’ may be reliably measuring what happened yesterday!
“Should I use a probe?”
Most of the time, yes. A probe can exclude some of the solids or liquids in the process fluid, and provide a faster response to process change.
"What is the best size of tube or pipe for the sample transport lines?”
The best size is the one that provides the desired speed, turbulent flow and reasonable pressure drop, without having an excessive flow rate.
"Is there software to design sampling systems?”
Software is useless if you don’t know what you’re doing.
What pore size of sintered stainless steel filter is best to protect an analyser?”
Any one you like. They all stop the same size particles!
"What’s a key difference between he system design for a filter and for a coalescer?”
The key difference is you can have a fast bypass flow from a filter, but the coalescer bypass flow must be slow.
"What is the most common mistake that people make with analyser sampling systems?”
The most common mistake is choosing the lowest bidder without having a clear specification of what is to be provided.