The PSA 50.100 dedicated online CEM analysers for measuring total mercury stack emissions and can be used as a dedicated compliance monitor.
The PSA mercury CEM contains the PSA 10.525 Sir Galahad mercury monitor. Mercury vapour generator, stream selector valves, industrial PC and controllers all mounted in an enclosed monitor cabinet with calibration kit.
All of the analysers have the following capabilities:
They can be configured to any specific customer requirement although certain configurations are frequently requested.
Probes and Sample Conditioners
The choice of probe and /or sample conditioner will depend on the requirements of the analyst and the reactivity and volume of ash in the emissions.
In order to meet all applications, PSA offer a range of Probes, Sample Conditioners and Conditioning Probes.
Probes with appropriate sample conditioners are used for full scale plant and plant testing operations where large quantities of hot reactive ash are common.
Conditioning probes ie probes with built in sample conditioner are usually installed in bench/ research scale operations where virtually no ash is present.
All probes need to be fitted with an appropriate stinger.
The Probes
The probe, fitted with an appropriate stinger is used to extract a representative sample of gas from the centre of the emissions passing out through the exhaust stack.
The most popular probes for stack gas analysis are;
PSA 50.125 Inertial Dilution Probe
The PSA 50.125 Inertial dilution probe is used upstream of particle control devices where high quantities of ash and high temperatures are normal. An optional mercuric chloride generator can be fitted to the probe for recovery and validation studies.
The basic principle of operation of the inertial filter is to accelerate the particulate material contained in the process gas in a vector direction with sufficient velocity to prevent the particles from sticking to the walls of the sampling tube and extract a gas sample to be transported to a gas analsyer.
The inertial filter operates by accelerating the particulate material contained in the process gas in a vector direction with sufficient velocity to prevent the particles from sticking to the walls of the sampling tube and then a gas sample is extracted and transported to the analyser.
The PSA 50.104 Fast Track Sample Dilution Probe
Is designed for use on utility and other stacks and can be used anywhere downstream of particulate control devices (where the ash content is low).
A continuous flow of sample is drawn though the heated stinger and filtered by an air eductor. A sub sample is removed from this flow through a critical orifice and filter by an air powered eductor pump.
This arrangement produces a stable dilution of the sample and provides a rapid delivery of the diluted sample gas to the analyser. The dilution rate can be verified using an independent calibration gas or more specifically by use with a PSA Mercury vapour generator.
Sample conditioners
Sample conditioners are selected depending on the analysis requirement.
Sample conditioners are used either to measure the total mercury present in the emissions or to measure oxidised mercury in addition to total mercury.
The unit can be mounted close to the probe or next to the analyser depending on the amount of access at the sampling point.
The main conditioners are;
The PSA S123C200 Speciation Conditioner
PSA S123C200 Speciation Conditioner this is a speciation conditioning module that receives hot filtered diluted gas under a positive flow from the sample probe through a heated Teflon transfer line. A high flow through a primary vent ensures that a representative sample is obtained with no mercury losses. The sample taken from this flow is split, with one part passing over a catalytic converter which converts all the mercury to elemental mercury, the other part of the sample passing over a selective adsorbent which removes oxidised mercury and allowing the elemental mercury to pass.
These two flows of elemental mercury are transferred to the analyser for measurement.
This conditioner allows the user to measure speciation of total mercury, elemental mercury and oxidised mercury (by difference) in the same sample.
PSA S123C300 Conditioner for Total Mercury Measurement
PSA S123C300 Conditioner for total mercury measurement this is a conditioning module that receives hot filtered diluted gas under a positive flow from the sample probe through a heated Teflon transfer line. A high flow through a primary vent ensures that a representative sample is obtained with no mercury losses. The sample taken from this flow passes over the catalytic converter where all the mercury is converted to elemental mercury and is transferred to the analyser for measurement.
This conditioner allows the user to monitor the total mercury content of the emissions.
Conditioning Probes
The PSA S123P100 and PSA S123P200 range of Dilution Probes has been developed for the determination of mercury in flue gas media where oxidised mercury may be present.
They operate as probes with built in sample conditioners.
They are principally intended for use with bench-scale, pilot-scale or very small scale processes where a limited amount of space is available.
The probes are designed for use on a wide range of typical flue gas matrices where nil or extremely low levels
of particulate are present.
Where appreciable levels of particulate matter are present other probes in the P S Analytical range may be more appropriate.
The PSA S123P100 Dilution Probe for Total Mercury Measurement
The unit operates by drawing the hot gas through a filter followed by a catalytic converter where all the mercury is converted to elemental mercury. Dilution gas is used to feed the eductor pump of the dilution cross which pulls the converted sample through an orifice at sonic conditions. The dilution rate is usually 40:1 although other options are available. The diluted sample is transferred to the analyser where the mercury is measured.
The dilution rate can be verified using the PSA mercury vapour generators.
The use of the dilution overcomes condensation of acid gases and water which removes the need for expensive heated sample lines.
The PSA S123P200 Dilution Probe with Speciation
The unit operates by drawing the hot gas through a filter to the dilution cross. Dilution gas is used to feed the eductor pump of the dilution cross which pulls the converted sample through an orifice at sonic conditions. The usual dilution rate is 40:1, other options are also available. The diluted sample is split between a sample bypass where the gases are vented, the catalyst tube and the adsorption tube. The streams from the catalyst tube and adsorption tube are transferred to the analyser where the mercury in each is measured sequentially. The dilution rate can be verified using PSA mercury generators.
This arrangement prolongs the catalyst and adsorbent life. The use of the dilution overcomes condensation of acid gases and water which removes the need for expensive heated sample lines. It is particularly useful when analysing streams with very high concentrations of mercury.
Sample Lines
Heated Teflon sample lines are used to transfer the gas sample from the probe to the sample conditioning unit. The length required must always be stated.
