Thermal reactors are high-temperature furnaces for thermally activated chemical processing. Typical reactors include sulphur recovery units, catalytic crackers, coal gasification systems and hazardous material incinerators. In each process, accurate control of the reactor temperature is important to optimise the thermal process and to prevent overheating, which could compromise safety and reduce refractory life. Most reactor temperatures are measured with either thermocouples or non-contact infrared temperature sensors. Typically, the thermocouples are less expensive, but they often require extended shutdowns for installation and maintenance procedures. Consequently, with advances in infrared temperature sensors, it is possible to provide more reliable and accurate measurements with a system that is easier to install and maintain. No process shutdowns are required with these sensors because they can 'look inside' the reactor chamber to measure temperatures.
Crude oil, natural gas, petrochemicals and synfuels contain small but significant amounts of sulphur, either as dissolved hydrogen sulphide or as organic sulphides. This sulphur is extracted and recovered in order to prevent clogging, corrosion, pollution and health hazards during subsequent processing and use. In a sulphur recovery unit, amine acid gas and sour water stripper gas are used to extract the sulphur compounds. To obtain the highest possible conversion rate, this process must operate at the optimal reaction temperature and use the proper concentrations of gases. Further sulphur extraction occurs in a catalytic reactor downstream, but for optimal results, the sulphur thermal reactor must be run efficiently. Typically, problematic thermocouple probes are replaced with infrared temperature sensors, which are smaller, more reliable, more accurate, lower in cost and easier to install and maintain.
Williamson has a suitable solution for this. Its Fiberview 1100 is the recommended sensor for this application. This fibre-optic two-wire transmitter provides accurate and reliable temperature measurements for effective process control with a system that is easy to install and maintain. When compared to older infrared temperature sensors, this design does not require cooling, has no moving parts, and is compatible with intrinsic safety barriers to provide safe and virtually maintenance-free operation. Features include:
* Special narrow band filters that eliminate any interference from changes in gas composition.
* Temperature range of 825 to 1650°C.
* A fibre-optic design that provides greater flexibility to align the sensor and mount the electronics in a remote location.
* A simple flange mount that features a start-up thermocouple, a quick disconnect fibre-optic attachment, and an option to mount multiple sensors per viewport.
* Two-wire operation that meets class 1, 2 and 3, Division II Classification with Z-purge.
* A solid state design that features a silicon detector for long-term calibration stability and reliability.
For more information contact Andy Brown, Temperature Controls, 011 791 6000, [email protected]
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