How our moisture experts ensure you meet your measurement goals
Let’s be honest: industrial moisture measurement isn’t easy. In almost every application there are simply too many variables that can combine – often in unexpected ways – to make precise moisture, humidity or dew-point measurement extremely difficult. Even engineers with many years of experience can be caught out by this seemingly simple but, in reality, highly complex process parameter; yet, miscalculating the level of moisture in a process or product will have serious consequences for efficiency, safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
In short, incorrect moisture measurement will add to your operating costs, reduce product quality and may put your business credibility and reputation at risk.
What makes moisture measurement difficult?
In theory, moisture measurement should be straightforward. After all, what is essentially happening is the detection of the percentage by volume of water vapor in a gas. But this is where the first set of complications occur.
The nature of most industrial processes means the temperature, flow rate and pressure of gases fluctuate, often to extreme levels. This has a direct effect on the behavior of water vapor that is entrained in the gas flow. Variation in ambient and process temperatures causes evaporation, condensation, freezing, or a change in the way in which the process gas reacts with water molecules. Fluctuations in pressure can affect the point at which moisture undergoes a phase change from vapor to liquid, or at which moisture boils, leading to potential errors if measurement instruments have not been configured correctly.
Further variables arise from fluctuations or turbulence in the process gas flow, often caused by the design of pipework, and in the way in which measurements are taken, either as ‘spot’ samples extracted from the process gas or via a probe inserted in a continuously flowing gas stream. Similarly, a process gas with multiple elements that are difficult to separate, or with contaminants, can react with water vapor and alter its characteristics.
Contaminants may also affect the accuracy and response times of the sensors used to detect the presence of moisture, whereas the performance of moisture sensors will change over time due to a phenomenon known as ‘sensor drift’, where the accuracy of the sensor slowly drifts outside its specified limits. The rate at which this occurs will vary depending on the environmental conditions and level of contamination to which the sensor is exposed, together with the sensor’s age and type.
The list of variables that can affect accurate moisture measurement goes on. But the point is clear: it’s complicated!
Moisture measurement: Work with the experts
The simple solution is to work with a supplier that specializes in moisture measurement. Just as you and your colleagues are experts in running your production operation, we are experts in the measurement of moisture, humidity and dew point – it’s all we’ve done for fifty years.
We design, develop, manufacture and supply an extensive range of moisture measurement sensors and analyzers, including dew-point transmitters and portable hygrometers, chilled mirror hygrometers and industry-standard reference calibration systems. Just as importantly, we also provide specialized technical, commercial and application support services.
Total customer support for dependable, safety-compliant moisture measurement
Our dedicated customer support teams are here to help you with every aspect of moisture measurement. This goes far beyond the basic level of assistance provided by most companies. Regardless of your need – whether that’s for a single transmitter or a fully integrated moisture detection, measurement and analysis system – our goal is to help you every step of the way.
For example, we can provide:
Our products come with:
Our support teams are made up of experienced instrumentation engineers and moisture measurement specialists, with many years of knowledge gained from our work with customers throughout industry. They are, quite literally, the subject matter experts in moisture measurement. So, don’t hesitate to ask them for advice, no matter how minor or complex your question may be.
With 50 years’ experience in the development of moisture, dew-point and gas measurement technology, we are the application experts for all industrial applications. If you would like to discuss your requirements, please contact our team today.
Our first design of moisture-measurement product was developed in conjunction with research scientists at Cambridge University. This device used an innovative aluminium-oxide sensor based on the thin-film principle. In 1980, thanks to the early pioneering work of our original engineering team, we were appointed by the European Bureau of Reference to develop an international Transfer Standard hygrometer that could be used by European standards laboratories. This instrument subsequently became our first commercially available chilled mirror hygrometer.
Fast forward 43 years and our chilled mirror hygrometers are still being used by national and international calibration laboratories around the world, where their reputation for precision, stability and reliability has set the benchmark against which all other moisture, humidity and dew-point analyzers are measured.
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