Expert solutions for your total hydrocarbon measurements

Stephen Firth
Global Business Development Manager

Servomex analyzers deliver accurate and reliable total hydrocarbon (THC) measurements in your process, using the sensing technologies that best suit your application. Our SERVOPRO FID and SERVOPRO HFID total hydrocarbon analyzers are specifically designed to measure THC for safety, quality control, emissions monitoring, and general industrial applications, using Flame Ionization Detector technology. For demanding process applications, the rugged and versatile SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500 delivers single and multicomponent gas analysis capability for corrosive, toxic and flammable sample streams, using Infrared and Gas Filter Correlation sensing.

Why measure total hydrocarbons?

It may be necessary to measure total hydrocarbon emissions to meet regulatory requirements. In addition, because they can cause harm to personnel, total hydrocarbon measurements may be required for safety purposes. Hydrocarbons are also found as contaminants in industrial and medical gas processes, particularly during air separation unit applications.

The requirements for total hydrocarbon gas analysis

Hydrocarbons typically exist as contaminants in air entering the cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) process. A molecular sieve is used to remove as much of this contamination as possible, followed by further hydrocarbon clean-up at the bottom of the distillation column, but to ensure optimum purity of the separated gases, it is essential to measure how much total hydrocarbon is present after these purification processes. This also ensures that gas stream flammability is closely monitored throughout the ASU process.

The environment of an ASU means that safe-area gas analyzers such as the SERVOPRO FID and HFID can be used effectively. However, many industrial processes require a total hydrocarbon measurement, and operate in more challenging conditions. Examples include the production processes for ethylene and ethylene dichloride, where total hydrocarbon measurements are needed in high-heat conditions for process control and quality monitoring.

SERVOPRO HFID

An expert solution for total hydrocarbon gas analysis

Servomex’s Flame Ionization Detector sensing technology, used in the SERVOPRO FID and HFID gas analyzers, is designed to measure flammable total hydrocarbons down to parts-per-billion (ppb) levels.

It works by detecting ions formed in the combustion of organic compounds in a sample, producing charged molecules that cause electrical conduction between two electrodes. These ions are attracted to a collector plate and induce a current upon hitting the plate. The FID measures this conduction and produces an output which is directly proportional to the concentration of total hydrocarbon in the sample.

The signal is then enhanced by a logarithmic amplifier that reduces drift and thermal noise, delivering an accurate, non-depleting measurement with 100ppb resolution.

The unique light-absorbing properties of the total hydrocarbon content mean that it can also be measured at percentage levels by Infrared or Gas Filter Correlation sensing, methods used in the SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500.

Our solutions for total hydrocarbons gas analysis

Servomex offers a range of total hydrocarbon gas analyzers for safety, quality control, process control, and emissions monitoring. Our SERVOPRO products, the FID and HFID, use sensitive and accurate Flame Ionization Detector sensing technology to measure total hydrocarbon to ultra-trace levels. For challenging process conditions, the SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500 uses photometric sensing technologies to measure within corrosive, toxic and flammable sample streams.

SERVOPRO FID
SERVOPRO FID

A high-performance solution for total hydrocarbon measurements

Chris Davis
Chris Davis,
Product Manager

Servomex’s SERVOPRO FID is a high-specification Flame Ionization Detector-based analyzer that provides a robust and high-accuracy solution to trace total hydrocarbon (THC) measurements, ensuring gas stream inflammability levels are closely monitored.

It is optimized for quality control in pure oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, helium, air, or carbon dioxide, delivering an adaptable solution designed to meet the needs of diverse applications, from cryogenic air separation plants to dry ice manufacturers.

The use of highly stable low-noise Flame Ionization Detector sensing ensures it delivers an accuracy unsurpassed by many contemporary solutions.

SERVOPRO HFID
SERVOPRO HFID

Trace total hydrocarbon analysis for ASU safety and quality control

Chris Davis
Chris Davis,
Product Manager

Using a highly sensitive heated Flame Ionization Detector for measuring volatile hydrocarbon concentrations in industrial or vehicle emission applications, the SERVOPRO HFID utilizes an internally heated oven to maintain the sample gas above its dew point, for optimum performance in total hydrocarbon analysis.

Unlike gas chromatography (GC) based analyzers, which require batch sampling, the HFID provides real-time, on-stream gas stream analysis. The oven temperature is factory-set to ensure that any heavy hydrocarbons present in the emission stream are kept in the gas phase.

Easily switchable between measurement of methane, non-methane hydrocarbon and total hydrocarbon content, the analyzer provides a high level of sensitivity with a rapid response time.

SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500

Real-time photometric analysis of corrosive, toxic and flammable gas streams

Rhys Jenkins
Rhys Jenkins
IP&E Spectroscopic Product Manager

A highly flexible analytical solution adaptable to many applications, the SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500 delivers proven performance and flexible operation in a resilient and reliable design.

It delivers a real-time online monitoring solution capable of single and multi-component analysis, including percentage-level total hydrocarbon. Field mounting capabilities enable flexible use in the harshest process conditions.

Highly affordable, the SpectraExact 2500 uses an intelligent design and non-depleting sensing technologies to help to extend maintenance intervals and dramatically reduce ongoing costs.

Sensing technologies for your total hydrocarbon gas analysis

Our total hydrocarbon analyzer range delivers sensitive, ultra-low total hydrocarbon measurements for a wide range of industrial gas processes and emissions monitoring applications.

FID sensing delivers highly accurate total hydrocarbon measurements

Flammable hydrocarbon samples can be measured at very low levels with our Flame Ionization Detector (FID) sensors. Based around the detection of ions formed by combustion, they are key to the sensitive, accurate measurements delivered by our SERVOPRO Chroma, FID and HFID analyzers.

 

Learn more about Flame Ionization Detector technology

Gas Filter Correlation sensors deliver stable, ultra-accurate gas analysis

An advanced form of Infrared sensing, Gas Filter Correlation (Gfx) technology is ideal in applications with interferent background gases, delivering precise, sensitive measurements. It is used in our SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500 photometric analyzer, and is a key technology for our SERVOPRO multi-gas analyzers, the MultiExact 4100, MultiExact 4200, and 4900 Multigas.

Learn more about Gfx technology
Infrared

Real-time Infrared measurements of gases in a mixture

Infrared sensing is a flexible measurement technology based on the unique light-absorbing properties of some gases. It delivers a non-contact, real-time detection of the selected gas’s concentration in a mixture, and is widely used in our analyzer range, including portable analyzers, photometric products, and multi-gas analyzers.

Learn more about Infrared technology

Total hydrocarbon analysis resources

For more in-depth information about our total hydrocarbon analysis solutions, download our additional expert resources

SERVOPRO Chroma expert paper

SERVOPRO Chroma expert paper

ES Magazine Issue 27 Specifiers Guide

ES Magazine Issue 27 Specifiers Guide

Semiconductor Wafer Production

Semiconductor Wafer Production

HyCO Hydrogen Production

HyCO Hydrogen Production

Key applications that benefit from our total hydrocarbon measurement solutions

Discover how we can support your process with innovative and effective total hydrocarbon analysis

Air separation units

Diverse sensing solutions that adapt to your process

Learn more

Medical gases

An advanced solution for purity assay and impurity detection

Learn more

Ethylene Dichloride

A flexible solution that supports product quality

Learn more

Ethylene Oxide

A hazardous area solution that supports safe operation

Learn more

Explore our full range of applications

Servomex – gas analysis to empower a changing world

Servomex is the global leader in gas analysis, providing solutions for cleaner, more efficient industries, and enabling the manufacture of products that benefit everyone. With 70 years of expertise and research behind us, we deliver industry-changing gas analysis measurements for process control, quality, safety, emissions monitoring, and combustion efficiency.

Atlas showing Servomex loctions

Global service support delivered locally

Wherever you are in the world, our network of service engineers provides the expertise you need to keep your total hydrocarbon analyzer operating at peak performance. With state-of-the-art service centers around the globe, you’ll always have the support your process needs.

Service team meeting customer

We provide tailored service packages that support your product throughout its life

Our global service network delivers the support you need to keep your analyzer or system operating at peak performance, for total peace of mind.

Broadly, we categorise our customers into two distinct groups

Purity & Speciality

Our Purity & Specialty (P&S) team provides products, knowledge and service to market sectors including industrial and medical gases, UHP gases, and semiconductor manufacture

Learn more

Industrial process & Emissions

Our Industrial Process & Emissions (IP&E) division is responsible for our gas analysis solutions in the power generation, hydrocarbon processing and emissions monitoring markets

Learn more

Choose the experts in total hydrocarbons gas analysis

 

We consult with you to determine what you need

Our team stays in place throughout the project, ensuring consistent communication. This starts with identifying the parameters that the system must meet to ensure optimum performance and ease of use.

We design and build your system in our dedicated facility

Our schematics and documents are reviewed by the customer until the final design is agreed upon. Our skilled engineers then assemble the system at one of our cutting-edge regional centers, with continuous evaluation throughout the build process.

We test and deliver your integrated solution

After internal testing and an intensive Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), the finished system is shipped for installation. Our expert support team can commission and calibrate the system and provide any necessary operator training.

The Servomex difference is clear from the start, all the way through to delivery of a total hydrocarbons gas analysis system that will transform your process.


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