The AMETEK Thermox WDG-V represents the fifth generation in the lineage of Thermox Combustion Gas Oxygen/CO/CH4 analyzers, renowned for their rugged design and reliable operation. This is particularly crucial in Canada, where industrial plants are subjected to snow, extreme cold, wind, and significant fluctuations in outdoor conditions. A combination of robust design and meticulous installation is paramount to harness the analyzer's full potential.
What You’ll Learn:
The AMETEK Thermox WDG-V Basics: Understand this analyzer’s role in industrial applications, particularly in harsh climates.
Pre-Installation Considerations: Learn about environmental and technical preparations vital for a successful installation
Installation Steps for Optimal Performance: Detailed instructions on installing the WDG-V, tailored for challenging environments.
Operational Best Practices: Tips on maintaining efficiency and accuracy in extreme conditions.
Understanding the AMETEK Thermox WDG-V.
The AMETEK Thermox WDG-V is a sophisticated combustion analyzer used in various industrial settings. It precisely measures oxygen, combustibles, and methane levels in flue gases, which is critical in optimizing combustion processes, enhancing safety, and ensuring environmental compliance.
Preparing for Installation: Essential Considerations.
Proper installation starts with understanding the unique challenges posed by the environment:
- Thermal Stability: The analyzer must remain stable during the analysis despite external temperature fluctuations.
- Sample Integrity: Ensure the gas inside the analyzer represents the actual process gas without compositional shifts during the measurement cycle.
- Consistent Gas Flow: The flow through the analyzer’s detector chamber should remain constant for accurate readings.
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Installation Challenges and Solutions.
Combustion gas analysis can be complicated due to extreme temperatures and the potential for gas sample changes:
- Sample Cooling and Condensation: As the sample gas is extracted and cooled, vapour compounds in the combustion gas may condense and solidify, potentially clogging the analyzer.
- Fuel Type Considerations: The type of fuel being burned affects the amount of condensing solids. Each fuel type presents unique challenges, from sweet natural gas with minimal condensation to bio-fuels and coal with heavy compounds.
Thermox Analyzer Design: A Close-Couple Extractive Approach.
The Thermox’s design addresses these challenges with a close-couple extractive design. By mounting an aspirator-driven fast loop directly at the furnace wall and using a probe pipe to suck flue gas, the process gas remains hot enough to flow by convection across external detectors. This design minimizes sample alteration.
Ready to Tackle Harsh Climates?
Learn the Secrets to Installing your Thermox WDG-V for Optimal Performance!
Installation Tips for Rugged and Reliable Performance.
- Accessibility and Ergonomics: Ensure the analyzer is easily accessible, with sufficient space for maintenance activities.
- Temperature Management: Protect internal wiring and electronics from extreme furnace wall temperatures.
- Insulation Strategies: Use insulating blankets or Aerogel insulation for pipe nipples, especially in colder climates, to prevent sample gas cooling and plugging.
- Regular Maintenance: Plan for maintenance activities based on fuel type and environmental conditions to prevent blockages.
Canadian Climate Considerations.
In Canadian winters, almost all Thermox installations are outdoors. This necessitates additional measures:
- Insulating Blankets: Use them to stabilize the analyzer’s temperature against harsh winter conditions.
- Check Valves: Install a check valve on the calibration gas inlet to prevent hot flue gas migration and condensation issues.
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Best Practices for Rugged, Reliable Operations.
- Close Mounting: Mount the analyzer as close as possible to the furnace wall to maintain the sample temperature.
- Consider the Technician: Design the installation keeping in mind the ease of service for technicians.
Conclusion.
A well-installed AMETEK Thermox WDG-V, especially in demanding environments like those in Canada, is not just a piece of equipment; it’s a cornerstone of safety, efficiency, and compliance in industrial settings. Understanding the nuances of its operation and installation in challenging climates is key to ensuring it remains a rugged, reliable asset in your industrial processes.
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Kevin Skoko was our Thermox service technician for 15 years, and personally commissioned, started up and serviced over 200 analyzers in western Canada during Canada’s oilsands expansion of the last two decades. He is available for technical assistance on the Thermox product line by contacting your Novatech Sales person.
