Argon is often a highly valuable by-product from ASU operations. Maximizing the argon yield from an ASU can often make or break the process economics. Optimization of the LP distillation column and the argon column operation requires measurement of oxygen in the argon column feed. A process value of 8 to 10% is common. Getting this process parameter right is one of the best ways to ensure that the maximum amount of argon is recovered for sale and to avoid it flowing out with the pure oxygen. Percentage level oxygen measurement is where the Magnos28 excels.
And with our patented Microwing technology, measurement accuracy is high and drift is low. This means that you can rely on your instrument to support your process all of the time whilst instrumentation calibration costs can be reduced.
Measurement of the final product oxygen purity is also essential for contractual product quality assurance. And it is a tell tale sign of argon slippage from the ASU also. With a measured value typically at 99.6% and a range between 98 and 100% the suppressed zero capability of the Magnos28 comes to the fore in this application. Considering the improved argon recovery from precise oxygen purity measurement, the one time investment to replace an existing oxygen analyzer with a new Magnos28 can pay back within a year on larger ASUs and with a couple of years on smaller ones. For new projects, we believe that specification of the Magnos28 from the start will quickly become the new industry standard.
While the Magnos28 is the perfect sensor for the complete Vol % Range like the lowest 0-0.5 vol% to up to the highest suppressed 99.5-100 vol% range, the ZO23 O2 trace analyzer is the perfect choice for proofing the absence respectively the smallest ppm concentrations between 0 and 1 ppm of oxygen in inert gases e.g. such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or noble gases like argon.