A major European manufacturer has selected Michell Instruments’ QMA601 quartz crystal microbalance moisture analyser to monitor trace moisture in ethylene at point of entry from the supply pipeline.

Throughout a year-long trial at the plant, the analyser was shown to be measuring within specifications with no adjustments needed. It is ideal for the application because ethylene will not polymerise on the quartz crystal sensor, and the sensor does not suffer from interference, as its response is specific to the water molecules in the ethylene. Unlike other moisture analysis techniques, quartz crystal microbalance technology operates on a non-equilibrium basis, which provides some of the fastest response speeds possible.

Ethylene is used for many petrochemical processes, such as the manufacture of polythene. There is approximately 495km of ethylene pipeline in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, connecting producers and consumers and providing an infrastructure for the petrochemical industry in those countries. Because of its highly flammable nature, ethylene needs a special permit if it is to be transported in any other way.

As with many other chemical processes, moisture must be kept to a minimum, in this case less than 10 ppm_V. Quartz crystal technology has been proven to be fast, accurate and reliable in applications far dryer than the 0 to 10 ppm_V range required for ethylene purity monitoring.

The QMA601 has global hazardous area certifications and is available with a full range of sample conditioning options.

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration
03 9017 8225
www.ams-ic.com.au