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OXYvisor™ Oxygen Analyzer

OXYvisor Oxygen Analyzer

   Process Oxygen Analyzer (2’nd Gen) for Industrial Process
   Control & Monitoring of trace O2, %O2 and Dissolved Oxygen
   UL Certification          
   ATEX Certification          
   IECEx
   
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OXYvisor O2 Analyser Introduction

The OXYvisor is a process oxygen analyzer, best utilized to measure oxygen concentration in continuous, online, process monitoring and control applications. It is commonly referred to, as a O2 analyser, oxygen meter, dissolved oxygen meter or DO meter.

The device utilizes an optical quench luminescent technique to measure oxygen concentration by volume (ppmv, molar basis) in gas phase or dissolved oxygen measurement (ppbv, ppmv) in liquid and aqueous phase applications. The oxygen meter is coupled, via a flexible fiber optic cable, of optional lengths, to a small external oxygen sensor that can be placed into an extracted sample stream, or directly in-situ to the process stream as a gaseous oxygen sensor or when used in liquids as a dissolved oxygen probe dissolved probe or optical DO sensor.

OXYvisor Industrial Applications

The OXYvisor is intended to measure oxygen concentration, in a wide array of industries and applications. Extensive North American (NEC/CEC) and international (IEC Ex/ATEX) hazardous locations and safety certifications, along with its robust industrial design, allow for use indoors, outdoors and within laboratories. The analyzer is used in the Oil & Gas (upstream/midstream, offshore, refining & petrochemical) hydrocarbon industry along with manufacturing (annealing furnaces, fiber optic production, contact lenses, etc.) and Renewable Energy Production (bio-gas & ethanol) markets.

Common applications for upstream and midstream, are trace O2 (ppm) in VRU’s, Gathering Lines, Booster/Compression Stations, Gas Plant Inlets and Custody Transfer points along with CO2 lift and floodwater for Enhanced Oil Recoveries (EOR). Whereas common applications for downstream include nitrogen headers, tank blanketing, anaerobic digesters and Mercaptan oxidation (MEROX).

Why OXYvisor is ideal for Oxygen Measurement Applications?

OXYvisor’s optical technique is an ideal technology for many of these applications, due to its ability to accurately measure in applications with high moisture or contaminants like H2S, CO2 and H2 with high reliability. It has no electrolyte to poison, no membrane to plug or foul, and is good to operate with high moisture and in liquids. This makes the OXYvisor an ideal upgrade for older technologies, such as paramagnetic analyzers, electrochemical cells ( e.g. fuel cells, galvanic dissolved oxygen sensors, amperometric probes & amperometeric gas sensors) and even in some cases, zirconia and Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) based technologies.

Features of OXYvisor Process Oxygen Analyzer

  • Measures the oxygen concentration of process or sample in either
    1. Gas phase - capable range of trace ppm, 0.5 ppm, to percent level oxygen
    2. Liquid phase - capable range of trace, 1 ppb, to high ppm level dissolved oxygen (D.O.)
  • Oxygen concentration measurement and calibration is temperature and pressure compensated
    1. Temperature Input: Pt1000 RTD
    2. Pressure Input: Standard on-board ambient pressure sensor or external 4-20 mA loop powered input
  • Measurement accuracy, drift, and lifetime not affected by %H2S, CO2, SO2 and H2
  • Standard calibration uses two-point, zero & span calibration gases
  • Standard unit capable of Auto-Calibration and Remote Validation
  • Rugged IP66, NEMA 4x enclosure with ambient operation -20 to 55 C
  • Hazardous area approvals
    1. Zone 1 & Zone 2 (IEC/ATEX/CEC/NEC)
    2. Class I, Div 2 - (cULus)
  • OXYvisor PC software for configuration, set-up, diagnostic and trending
  • USB data trend storage (.csv file)
  • Works with all BOSx oxygen sensors
    1. FiberSense (original), a small 4mm optical fiber integral O2 sensor for use in 1/4” tube fittings
    2. FlexSense I & II (inline flowcell) with simple replaceable BOSx sensor caps
    3. SafeTap Insitu (insertion/retraction), with simple replaceable BOSx sensor caps
  • Local display HMI, with through-the-glass operation allows setup and configuration

 

OXYvisor Oxygen Meter Display Menus

For more information on Barben Analytical’s BOS Oxygen Sensors and our sample conditioning panel products please refer to the separate data sheets for these products:

      Barben Optical Sensor (BOS) - Data Sheet
      Sample Calibration Panel - Data Sheet

Typical Applications - Gas Phase (g)

  • O2 in hydrocarbon streams
    1. Vapor recovery units (VRU's)
    2. Gathering lines/headers
    3. Gas plant inlets
    4. Booster / compressor stations
    5. Custody transfer points
    6. Transmission and distribution
  • Trace O2 detection in nitrogen headers
  • Biogas oxygen detection (moisture and H2 S)
  • Pure ethylene and propylene production
  • O2 in nitrogen tank blanketing
  • Trace to % level oxygen in syngas gas
  • Annealing furnaces (H2 and inert gases)
  • Limit of Detection: 0.5 ppm O2 @ 1atm, 20ºC (0.0005 hPa)

Typical Applications - Liquid Phase (l)

  • High pressure produced water Dissolved O2
  • ppb dissolved O2 for waterflood injection
  • Oxygen in methanol and ethanol
  • Oxygen in oils
  • Dissolved O2 in liquid process streams
  • Dissolved O2 in product streams
  • Limit of Detection: 1 ppb Dissolved O2

Principle of Operation

The OXYvisor analyzer uses an optical phase fluorometric technology to measure process oxygen. Phase modulation of the luminescent decay time of an oxygen specific luminophore allows the calculation of the partial pressure of oxygen concentration with the process stream.

Light transmission through fiber optic to luminophore

The analyzer uses an LED to emit blue light through fiber optic cable down to the luminophore which resides at the sensor tip [Fig 1]. The luminophore absorbs the energy and rises to an excited state indicated by red light returned through the fiber optic cable. The properties of the emitted light are measured through a photomultiplier tube back at the spectrometer within the analyzer.

Effects of 100 ppm oxygen quenching

In the absence of oxygen, the excited luminophore will fall back to its ground state at a specific intensity and phase angle. When oxygen is present it quenches the fluorescence at a lower rate proportional to the oxygen concentration [Fig 2.].

AC modulation and the phase shifted output

The phase shift and intensity differences between the excitation source and the fluorescent signal is measured and the oxygen concentration is calculated [Fig 3].

The resulting measurement is specific to oxygen concentration. The luminophore is unaffected by other contaminant gases and flow rate. The measurement is applicable in both gas and liquid phase. Temperature compensation is required to account for quenching efficiency at different temperatures and pressure compensation is required to measure at process pressured different from the pressure at time of calibration.

OXYvisor Oxygen Analyser Specifications

  • Power Supply - Selectable as AC or DC via Product Selection Nomenclature
    1. AC Power: 85-264 VAC, 47-63 Hz, 6W (AC, “4-wire,” line powered analyzer)
    2. DC Power: 24 V DC +/-10% 5W (Class 2 / LPS source) (DC, “4-wire,” line powered analyzer. Not a 2-wire loop powered transmitter)

  • Environmental
    1. Operating Temperature: -20 to +55ºC (-4 to 131ºF)
    2. Storage Temperature: -20 to +65ºC (-4 to 149ºF)
    3. Max. Operating Relative Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
    4. Max Altitude: Maximum altitude up to 2,000 meters (6,561 ft)
    5. IEC: IEC Installation Category II and Pollution Degree 2

  • Physical
    1. Main Enclosure and Junction Box
      1. Ratings: IP66 and NEMA 4x, protected against dust and high pressure water ingress. Corrosion resistant.
      2. Material Type: Aluminum pressure die-casting with yellow chromating and chemically resistant paint
      3. Conduit Entries: Main enclosure = QTY 4, junction box = QTY 2, 3/4” FNPT or M25 x 1.5 6H conduit entries
      4. O-Ring Seals: Silicone VMQ rubber
    2. Dimensions H x W x D (combined): 12.0 x 5.5 x 11.0 inches (30.5 x 14.0 x 28 cm)
    3. Weight (total/combined): 13.7 lb (6.2 kg)
    4. Liquid Crystal Display: Viewing = 79 (W) x 40 (H) mm, 240 x 128 dots, FSTN / Positive /Transflective
    5. HMI Touch-Keys (through-the-glass): (4) proximity switches, infrared contacts for interactive user interface at HMI

  • Input Information
    1. Sensor Inputs
      1. Optical O2: (1) O2 optical input BOS1, BOS2 or BOS3 sensor (SMA connector)
      2. RTD – Temp: (1) Pt100 or Pt1000 4-wire RTD Inputs (isolated)
      3. Analog Input: (1) 4-20 mA input (24 Vdc active from OXYvisor) - User configurable for Temperature or Pressure transmitter
      4. Pressure Sensor: (1) On-board integrated pressure sensor measures and compensates for ambient pressure conditions
    2. Digital Inputs: (2) optically isolated inputs, 5 Vdc powered, remote initiation of automatic calibration and live validation gas

  • Output Information
    1. Analog Outputs: (2) Programmable current outputs with galvanic isolation, 4 to 20 mA (Active), Linear or Bi-Linear, 24 Vdc
    2. Digital Outputs (Alarm/Relays): (4) Programmable relays, optically isolated, passive, 24Vdc, 0.05A pilot duty, 0.45 A general use/ resistive load.
    3. Digital Communication: (1) Modbus RTU serial protocol RS485 - Two way Communication

  • User Adjustable Options
    1. Oxygen Units:
      1. Gas Phase: %O2, ppm, hPa
      2. Liquid Phase: ppm, ppb, hPa
    2. Temperature Units: Fahrenheit or Celsius
    3. Pressure Units: mbar, inches H2O, Bar and PSI (absolute pressure)

  • Advanced Features

    1. Automatic Calibration (AutoCal): AutoCal logic controls 3 relays, user programmable with time based schedule or user initiated (requires AutoCal panel)
    2. Remote Validation (Test Gas Insert): Test gas insert allows for remote or local validation with Test Gas (requires AutoCal panel)
    3. Auto-Sample Rate: Minimizes drift between calibrations, increases sensor lifetime without decreasing performance when needed
    4. Temperature Compensation: Automatic Temperature compensation to account for sensor output & used for DO calculation
    5. Pressure Compensation: Pressure compensates/corrects for concentration calculations due to ambient or process pressure changes
    6. Analog Input Calibration: Allows for correction/matching of Analog Input, either remote temperature or pressure transmitter
    7. Data & Error Logging Options: Last 10 error messages and calibrations time/date stamped (.pdf file), USB data trend storage (.csv file)
    8. OXYvisor PC Software: Configuration, programming, set-up, measurement, diagnostics, and trending (requires RS485 to USB cable)

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Oxygen Analyzer used for?

An o2 analyzer is a tool used to measure oxygen in a liquid or gas sample within or extracted from a process. The measurement of oxygen is useful to understanding if the level of oxygen meets a targeted, setpoint value, or if the concentration of O2 should be increased or decreased. The two most common uses are (a) to make sure there is little to zero oxygen since its oxidative powers can allow for corrosion or contamination and (b) for safety by ensuring that the mixture between fuel and O2 never reach the flammable (LEL) limits.   

2) What is an optical o2 analyzer?

An optical oxygen analyser includes two important components: an oxygen sensitive sensor indicator & a read-out device (oxygen meter). The measurement portion of the analyzer consists of a LED and a photodiode detector. The LED’s light travels over a fiber optic cable to the sensor tip where it excites the oxygen sensitive indicator in contact with the sample. The indicator will then relax back to its natural ground state, and emit light where the intensity is proportional and relative to the concentration of oxygen, which travels back over the fiber optic to the analyzer and the signal input is converted to the oxygen reading.

3) How does an optical oxygen sensor work?

Optical oxygen sensors are primarily based on the principle of fluorescence quenching via oxygen. They depend upon an oxygen meter to produce light at a very specific wavelength and a detector to sense the emitted luminescence light. The emitted light from the luminescent sensor material will be observed for both (a) the intensity of light emitted which will follow the Beer-Lambert Law and (b) the decay rate of the phase modulated emission light, which is also directly related to the oxygen concentration when observed as phase angles in the time domain.

4) What is the typical measuring range for an Oxygen Analyser?

The analyzer is capable of measuring from zero to 100% oxygen in the gas phase. The actual range is selected by the customer but is also dependent upon the sensor selection. Each sensor is characterized by its sensitivity and quenching rate under differing oxygen concentrations. Barben Analytical offers three sensor range for the trace, mid and full O2 ranges.

  • BOS3 is the trace level sensor with a typical range of 0 to 300 ppm O2 and a low detection limit of 0.5 ppm.
  • BOS1 is the mid-range sensor with a typical range of  0 to 4.2 % O2, and a low detection limit of 20 ppm
    • This sensor can also measure dissolved oxygen, 0 to 1.8 ppm and low detection limit of 1 ppb
  • BOS2 is the full range sensor typically measures 0 to 25% O2 with a low detection limit of 300 ppm