December

To keep up with the global sulfur regulations, PAC is excited to launch the next generation sulfur and nitrogen analyzer: NSure. As sulfur standards get lower, refineries require real-time monitoring and process control using robust analyzers with correlation to the primary test methods that can handle a wide range of products. Based on decades of experience and hundreds of installations, NSure addresses the market requirements by offering users the ability to measure total sulfur, total nitrogen or both in a single analyzer. 

With its large installed base, Antek by PAC has proven to be a global leader in lab and on-line elemental analysis instrumentation. Antek pioneered total sulfur and total nitrogen analysis utilizing pyro-fluorescence and pyro-chemiluminescence technology. NSure takes the technology to the next level based on experience and user feedback resulting in a robust analyzer that can address a wide range of applications.

The Antek UV-Fluorescence (UVF) spectrometry technology for sulfur and chemiluminescence detection (CLND) technology for nitrogen are fast and accurate, providing determinations from ppb to percent levels within minutes. These methods eliminate any matrix interference problems providing accurate results to even very low levels of sulfur and nitrogen.

NSure uses the same proven technology of its previous models —the 6000 and 6200— to ensure lab accuracy with process robustness. By utilizing the same technology that labs use to qualify products, NSure enables plants to ensure regulatory compliance while operating as close to the upper limit to maximize profitability with continuous and precise measurements that correlate with the primary test methods.

NSure’s innovative design can operate over a wide range and withstand process swings. Its complete combustion of the sample allows for fast response even in difficult process conditions.

"We are excited about the new addition to our process analytics portfolio. Based on customer feedback, we have significantly improved our elemental platform to serve a variety of applications for years to come", said Lisa Houston, General Manager PAC Process Analytics.

November

With Sulfur species known for their detrimental effects on catalysts in refining processes even at the lowest of levels, the need for a constant monitoring of Sulfur species throughout the complete process is quite evident. This task mandates solutions that are not only fast and sensitive, but above all very robust in time, so they can just do what they were designed for: produce the correct value.

PAC’s newly launched SeNse Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector for gas chromatography provides all these arguments. With a Sensitivity of 0.3 pg S/sec, true equimolarity, 4 decades of linearity, 10e7 in selectivity, combined with an unrivaled stability over time, SeNse clearly is the market leading technology.

With its new ceramics, its Constant Detector Base pressure system, redesigned electronics and furnace, the SeNse has already proven to be extremely stable over time. The large touch-screen and automatic leak check routines make controlling SeNse very simple. The SeNse also provides the ability to execute GC maintenance (e.g. changing insert or septum) without switching the detector off, significantly reducing instrument downtime. SeNse is independent of GC or Chromatography Data System. For now, it can be mounted on Agilent 6890/7890A/B systems, with different platform support to be added in near future.

Lastly, SeNse uses air instead of oxygen. Air is clearly more economical, but also more readily available, and definitely safer in the lab.

The SeNse complies with key standard methods such as ASTM D5504 and D5623.

July

The CID 510 and PMD 110 methods have been approved in specifications by the Canadian Government Standards Board (CGSB). D7668 and D7345 are now applicable for the following specifications: Diesel Fuel, Heating Oil, Diesel B5, Diesel B6-B20, Biodiesel B100.