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| Procal
Analytics helping protect the environment with Arcom SBC's |
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Procal Analytics
(PA) are specialists in gas and liquid analysis. The MCERTS
approved equipment designed and developed by their engineers is
used globally in the fight for reduced emissions of environmental
pollutants including acid rain and greenhouse gases. When
engineers at Procal Analytics needed a new controller for their
specialised systems they turned to Arcom. They needed reliable
equipment from a company committed to supporting its customers.
What they were looking for was a reliable, ruggedised PC platform
with a wide temperature range (-10 to +60° C) capable of being
left unattended for long periods of time - typically 3-years or
so.
How
does the equipment work?
The specialised range of
products developed by Procal Analytics relies on their expertise
in optical, chemical, mechanical and electronic disciplines. In
outline the range of systems known as ‘PULSI’ process
analysers contain optical spectroscopy absorption meters. These
optical meters measure the absorption of a specific wavelength of
light in a sample of gas or liquid; the absorption characteristics
of a given chemical sample correspond to the concentration gas
present. The light emitters and detectors used are highly
specialised with detection ranges from Visible Infra Red to Ultra
Violet.
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Where
are they used?
These MCERTS approved
systems are employed globally, they are found in petrochemical
refineries, cement plants, power stations, chemical process and
industrial incinerators. Typically the PULSI analyser is mounted
in emission stack or chimney where it may be monitoring emitted
particle size and or chemical constituents. Levels of
environmentally damaging chemicals such as Sulphur Dioxide (SO2),
Nitric Oxide (NO) are monitored. Should the emissions reach
dangerous levels the Analyser Control Unit (ACU) is able to raise
an alarm so that immediate measures to stop the dangerous
emissions can be made. |
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Diagram showing
the position of the ACU in the analysis system |
Where
does Arcom fit into the picture?
The Arcom ELAN-104 based processor board is used as part of the
‘Analyser Control Unit’ (ACU) providing a user interface and
communications hub, communicating with upto 4 PULSI optical head
units, 8 Alarm slave relays, up to 8 4-20mA analog signals and a
special serial Modbus connection for use with a conventional PC.
The ELAN-104 board is used to verify gas concentration levels
against preset thresholds, logging data and in the event of a
level violation, alarm systems. |
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| Screen
shot |
The ACU |
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