GROUPGROUP

ProposalModel 3010 MINIFID Flame Ionisation Detector

troppus decn eire pxeg ni rutca fun a

m no isicer p y golonhc et decn avd a

Au

tom

oti

ve +

So

lven

t p

roce

sses

+ C

om

bu

stio

n re

sear

ch

Air

Qu

alit

y M

on

ito

rin

g (A

QM

) + C

on

tin

uo

us

Emis

sio

ns

Mo

nit

ori

ng

(CEM

s)The Instruments Division, based near Londonis focused on combustion emissions, automotive applications such as engine andvehicle testing and the measurement of hydrocarbons from various solvent processes.

Key customers include Johnson Matthey, Siemens, GSK and British AmericanTobacco.

The Ambitech Division in Oxford has over 20years experience in supplying gas turbine power station emissions measurement equipment and ambient air quality monitoring.

Key customers include General Electric, Autostrada, Shell and DEFRA.

Signal Group recognises that the real value to our customers is delivered through our people.Our well trained and highly motivated staffunderstand your needs and deliver real benefits.

Our knowledge and expertise across a rangeof applications is our true strength and it isthis resource that allows us to analyse situations, identify problems and recommendsolutions. Our manufacturing facility also allows us the flexibility to provide bespoke products and systems for for your unique application.

Worldwide Sales and Support Network

Customers in over 70 countries across the worldbenefit from gas analysis solutions provided bySignal. We support all users of our equipmentthrough a strong network of sales and support representatives. We are able to provide a range of services including technical advice on applications, commissioning services, routinemaintenance and troubleshooting.

Instruments Division Ambitech Division

The world has become a border-free global trading community and so it becomes more important than ever to define clearly a company’s role, its position in the marketplace and its future strategy.

Signal has for the past 30 years been solely involved in the gaseous emissionsbusiness. It started life modestly, in a garage making heated sampling components for the larger systems houses. It developed its own Flame Ionisation Detector (FID) hydrocarbons analyser in 1978 and acquired the BOCLuminox NOx analyser business in 1980. Later in 1988, it acquired the Grubb Parson Infra-red analyser business from J&S Sieger Ltd. of Poole and in the same year it started up a turnkey systems department of its own. More recently, the gas analysis business of Rotork has been integrated as the Signal Ambitech Division and the infra-red analysis products have been further strengthened with the acquisition of the Analytical Development Company.

The mission statement which we have adopted and have incorporated into ourproduct development programme is defined by our slogan “Designed by perfectionists”. Simply put, this means that we have selected five main market segments into which our products can be sold.

Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEMs) Automotive emissions Solvent processes Combustion research and analysis

The strategy is to continue to develop the most advanced instruments on the market designed with our customers in mind, using the technology that we know and understand.

This strategic plan and all of the product development also incorporates ourdrive for further improvements in quality control and support services. But youdo not have to take my word for this, our customers will be monitoring us on our ability to produce the results, “actions speak louder than words” .

John Clements, Managing Director

Mission Statement

ISO9001:2000 Cetificate FM 33693

GROUPGROUP

www.signal-group.com

Flame Ionisation Detectors -IntroductionThe flame ionisation detector is a highly sensitive but non-selective detector for measuring hydrocarbons. It uses a simple principle where a flame strips hydrogen atoms from the hydrocarbon molecule, forming carbon radicals and electrons. This is ordinarily a short-lived condition with the charged components quickly recombining, however in an electrostatic field the oppositely charged components can be driven towards electrodes. This creates an effective current within the flame proportional to the number of molecules of hydrocarbon present.

The molecular arrangement has an effect on the ionisation mechanism within the flame and therefore the response of the analyser. A response factor is used to correct this measurement response, or the variation can also be accounted for by calibration using the target gas.

SIGNAL INSTRUMENTS AND SIGNAL AMBITECH ARE BOTH DIVISIONS OF SIGNAL GROUP LTD. REGISTERED IN ENGLAND NO. 1369865

Fast Response

The ionisation of molecules takes place very quickly which means the analyser responds very quickly to even small changes in concentration. Most of the response time quoted for an FID analyser is due to the transit time between sample inlet and detector. This means that the response can be improved on the standard specification if required for a particular application.

Wide Dynamic Range

The inherently linear response of the detector plus the detection principle means that an FID with a fixed flow rate is sensitive with a high degree of accuracy from low ppm levels up to tens of thousands of ppm. Adjusting the flow means that lower or higher ranges are also possible for special applications.

Flame Ionisation Detectors - Benefits

No Cross Sensitivty

The ionisation within the flame is selective to hydrocarbon molecules and so there is no cross sensitivity to species such as CO, CO

2, SO

2, NO

x or NH

3.

Carbon Correlation

For complex mixtures being measured, a good carbon correlation means that expressing a concentration as total carbon is valid without having to calculate a response factor for the particular mixture. This is also helpful where the constituent species of a sample are not known or if they vary during testing.

Linear Response

In analysers where the detector response is non-linear an algorithm must be used to determine the actual concentration that corresponds to the signal generated by the detector. This “look-up table” is often generated using as few as II points, leading to potential errors. An inherently linear detector response allows an accurate calibration from just zero and span, one known value of calibration gas, making the FID a high accuracy analytical technique.

Signal 3010 MINIFID

Heated to 191oC

The MINIFID is heated to prevent any loss of sample through condensation and to remove any interference from water vapour around the detector. This means that the analyser can be used to measure species that would be liquid at room temperature and hot, wet samples such as those derived from combustion or other solvent processes.

Zero Air/Burner Air

The MINIFID has its own pump and clean up system in order to use ambient air for both supplying the flame and calibrating the zero point. The standard MINIFID uses a carbon scrubber cartridge which cleans the air efficiently and is suitable for normal conditions for ambient air and concen-trations down to tens of ppm. The upgraded MINIFID Pure contains a heated catalytic air purifier suitable for areas where the ambient air contains high levels of hydrocarbons or where measure-ment in the 0-10ppm range. There is also capability to connect synthetic air to the analyser for the most accurate readings.

Oxygen Synergism

There is an effect within all FID analysers where large variations in the oxygen concentration of the sample can lead to variations in measured concentration due to changing flame temperature. This can be mitigated by using a mixture of hydrogen and helium for fuel gas. Signal recommend this option for samples, such as those from variable combustion processes, where the oxygen level can fluctuate to a large extent. It is also recommended as a consideration when selecting calibration gas. For processes within ambient levels of oxygen, air and methane/propane etc in balance of air should be used, for low oxygen samples gas in nitrogen balance could be more appropriate.

SIGNAL INSTRUMENTS AND SIGNAL AMBITECH ARE BOTH DIVISIONS OF SIGNAL GROUP LTD. REGISTERED IN ENGLAND NO. 1369865

10% Range Option

The standard ranges supplied with the MINIFID are 0-10ppm, 0-100ppm, 0-1,000ppm and 0-10,000ppm (1%). A high range version is also available with lowest range 0-100ppm. This is suitable for measuring concentration up to 10% propane equivalent.

On-Board Data-Logging

The MINIFID is supplied with 0-10v and 4-20mA outputs for logging concentration plus 4 contact closure outputs to indicate range selection. It is also available with on-board datalog-ging with 64,000 bits of information. This is sufficient for 36 hours of logging at 2 second intervals. There is a straightforward USB connection to your laptop or computer for download using supplied software.

Integrated Heated Sample Line

Where other analysers require you to use a separate heated line with a controller meaning carrying around a second box, the MINIFID has a transformer built-in with a thermocouple to display temperature and a safety interlock to prevent the analyser being used before the heated line is operational. With the heated line removed, the interlock is by-passed so the analyser can be used with or without the heated line as desired.

Compliant with EU and US EPA Regulations

The MINIFID is MCERTS certified as conforming to EN12619 and EN13266 specifications for measuring VOCs. It also complies with US EPA method 25 for measuring hydrocarbons.

Sample Pressure Regulator

A bypass system including pressure regulator provides a controlled back pressure at the sample capillary, which then allows a constant sample flow rate to the detector. This reduces the flow sensitivity of the analyser for more accurate readings without the maintenance problems associated with the back pressure regulator being situated in the sample stream as in most other FID analysers. This arrangement allows for the highest possible sample flow rate, giving enhanced sensitivity, with the lowest possible maintenance requirement.

Removeable PTFE Sample Filter

The MINIFID is supplied with a heated filter body on the sample inlet, fitted with a proprietary hydrocarbon-free PTFE filter. This helps protect the analyser from particulate matter in your sample, extending the lifetime of the analyser and reducing maintenance costs.

Signal customers

Clean Air Engineering Inc.

Clean Air Engineering Inc. have chosen the Model 3010 MINIFID for their rental division. The head office is in Palatine, Illinois where they hold the largest inventory of monitoring equipment in the industry.

Founded in 1972, Clean Air has become one of the biggest companies in America, specialising in providing equipment for environmental protection and monitoring.

They tell us that the reason they selected the MINIFID from all the other portable FID analysers tested was that it was compact, easy to use and did not have expensive features that were never used when on site doing testing work.

With such a large range of stock being shipped out on a regular basis it was important that the MINIFID was easy to maintain and the easy access to consumables such as the sample filter, sample capillary and carbon air scrubber makes this easy with only a minimum of training.

SIGNAL INSTRUMENTS AND SIGNAL AMBITECH ARE BOTH DIVISIONS OF SIGNAL GROUP LTD. REGISTERED IN ENGLAND NO. 1369865

Megtec, UK

Thermal OxidisersMegtec are a worldwide suppliers of cleanup systems including RTO systems. Annually testing the VOCs on the outlet of the oxidisers is part of the service, prooving that the system is doing its job. For this crucial audit they have chosen to use the MINIFID for reliability, ease of use, and the MCERTS certification allows the date to be reported by the end user and traceable proof that they are within permitted emissions limits.

British American Tobacco

Research and DevelopmentWhen one of the world’s largest companies wanted to measure total hydrocarbons for R&D purposes, they chose the Signal MINIFID They needed to trust the results and wanted something they could set up and use quickly, even between departments and offices. They liked the way that the MINIFID is easy for anyone to use, with a quick start guide and all the equipment you need supplied with the unit you just plug it in and start it up.

AEA TechnologyAbimota, PortugalAir Pollution Engineering ServicesAir ProtektAlcontrol LaboratoriesAl Futtaim Laboratories, DubaiAllfield Enterprise Corp, TaiwanAmbiental, SpainARAI, IndiaArjo WigginsAstra ZenecaBaxenden ChemicalsBlue Sky Environmental, USABord na Mona, EIRECadburyCastle CementCinfu, PortugalEisenmann Corp, USAEkoNorm Sp Z.o.o, PolandEilte PlasticsEntech, ThailandEnvico, Holland

Environmental EvaluationEnvirindo Tiranusa, IndonesiaEnvironmental ComplianceEnvirodatESP EnvironmentalForbo NairnGibb (Wales) LtdGeneral ElectricHaden Drysys International LtdHexcell CompositesHorsell Graphic Industries LtdImperial TobaccoJohnson MattheyKalon Decorative ProductsMacDermid AutotypeMerck Sharpe and Dohme LtdNational Physical LaboratoryNIFES Consultancy Group LtdOdour Monitoring, EIREPaint Research AssociationPolish Academy of SciencesProctor and Gamble

Renault SA, FranceRonexprim, RomaniaRose Environmental, West IndiesScientificsScottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)Severn Trent LaboratoriesSheffield UniversityThor OverseasTTS EnvironmentalToyota MotorsUnilever ResearchUniversity of AbertayUniversity of NottinghamUniversity of SunderlandUniqemaYorkshire Environmental