On-line analysis of high and low levels of ammonia

The stripping of ammonia from absorber liquid requires many tons of valuable steam per day: on-line analysis using an Applikon analyser enables improved plant efficiency

The stripping of ammonia from absorber liquid requires many tons of valuable steam per day.

Hence the requirement, for the process operators to stay in close contact with the stripping process: taking out more ammonia than is necessary leads to a consumption of steam and caustic soda which seriously escalates the plant costs and efficiency of the plant.

Conversely leaving too much ammonia in the liquid upsets the down stream water treatment system.

The problem however, when taking samples to the lab for ammonia analysis, is the long lag time between catching the sample and obtaining the result in order to control the process adequately.

Attempts have been made to put some instant reading on-line, using techniques ranging from density to infrared.

These all utterly failed: because the samples contained too many contaminants like tar, cyanides, phenols, and sulphides and differ too much in concentration from one to another.

The best possible option is to have an analytical system which could run the analysis on-line, while utilising methods free from interference and able to deal with a wide concentration range.

This is a realistic option with the Applikon Process Analyser ADI 2040, which offers a variety of well developed titration and ion sensitive methods.

Titration is an absolute analytical method, meaning it does not require cumbersome validation procedures: due to the steep change in pH at the equivalence point, only the relative value is significant and used to calculate the volume of titrant consumed.

The ADI2040 has the ability to run multiple methodologies on multiple sample streams, simultaneously, and this in itself cuts reagent usage down by 75% of what was associated with process titrators.

With its corrosion resistant polystyrene wet part and its even more rugged components this analyser is built to last numerous years and be a cornerstone in the contribution to the plant efficiency.

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