Applied Analytics TSA-200 Total Sulfur Analyzer

Overview

The Applied Analytics TSA-200 is an online total sulfur analyzer that measures the combined sulfur content of a gaseous hydrocarbon stream as a single output. It does this by pyrolysis: the entire sample is burned under controlled conditions so that every sulfur-bearing compound becomes sulfur dioxide, and the SO₂ is then measured by ultraviolet-visible absorbance. Applied Analytics notes that pyrolysing the whole stream gives a typically interference-free total sulfur reading, and that the solid-state design is far more practical than the consumable-heavy instruments that have historically dominated this measurement.

Seven Star LLC supplies the Applied Analytics TSA-200 to gas producers, gas processing plants, refineries, LNG facilities and power producers in the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC. Our Muscat engineers review the gas composition, sulfur range and hazardous-area classification with you before the analyzer and its sample conditioning system are specified. Buyers who reference the earlier TSA-100 sulfur analyzer, which Applied Analytics announced in 2007, should note that the TSA-200 is the combustion-style total sulfur analyzer the manufacturer lists today; we can confirm with Applied Analytics which configuration suits an existing installation.

Measurement Principle of the Applied Analytics TSA-200

Inside the Applied Analytics TSA-200 sample conditioning system, two mass flow controllers mix the sample with air at a precise fuel-to-air ratio that is set for the specific application, because it depends on the fuel chemistry. The mixture passes through a spark arrestor into the pyrolyzer tube, where all sulfur compounds are oxidised to sulfur dioxide, with carbon dioxide and water as the other main combustion products. The fully oxidised gas then enters the measurement flow cell, where SO₂ absorbance is monitored.

Light from a long-life pulsed xenon lamp is carried by fibre-optic cables from the analyzer to the flow cell and back to a nova II UV-Vis diode-array spectrophotometer. Applied Analytics states that this method is highly resistant to false positives, because full-spectrum analysis and averaging algorithms quickly remove erroneous data. The analyzer can also be configured to sense some sulfur species before pyrolysis, and alarms, thresholds and dynamic ranges are fully configurable.

Engineering Design of the Applied Analytics TSA-200

The Applied Analytics TSA-200 consists of an analyzer cabinet and, where included, a sample conditioning cabinet. The analyzer cabinet measures 610 x 508 x 203 mm and weighs 15 kg, while the sample conditioning system is housed in a 914 x 914 x 305 mm NEMA 4 carbon steel enclosure. On entry the sample meets a pressure-reducing regulator and a solenoid shutoff valve for emergency cutoff, then a tee splits it between a fast loop, which returns most of the flow to the process through an adjustable flow meter, and the analysis loop. The analysis loop has a 15 µm particulate filter and an air-actuated three-way ball valve for introducing zero, calibration and validation gases.

After the flow cell of the Applied Analytics TSA-200, a backpressure regulator holds a constant pressure inside the system and the sample leaves as waste gas. Because the light is brought to the sample by fibre optics, Applied Analytics points out that operators do not need to work in close quarters with hazardous gas. The analyzer is factory calibrated with certified calibration gases, uses the Applied Analytics touchscreen HMI with ECLIPSE software and solid-state storage, and runs from 85 to 264 VAC at 47 to 63 Hz.

Key Features of the Applied Analytics TSA-200

The datasheet and product page list these features of the Applied Analytics TSA-200.

• Continuous measurement of total sulfur as one output, aided by pyrolysis of the complete sample.
• UV absorbance detection with a nova II diode-array spectrophotometer and pulsed xenon lamp with an average five-year life.
• Two mass flow controllers for precise sample and air metering ahead of the pyrolyzer.
• Fast loop with adjustable flow meter so the user can control sample lag time and consumption.
• Repeatability of ±0.5% of scale and photometric accuracy of ±0.004 AU at 220 nm.
• Indoor or outdoor installation without a shelter, 0 to 35 °C standard or −20 to 55 °C with optional temperature control.
• Available certifications of CSA Class I Division 1 or Division 2 and ATEX Exp II 2(2) GD.
• Three isolated 4-20 mA outputs, four relay outputs, a digital fault alarm, a digital input and a K-type thermocouple input, with optional Modbus TCP/IP, RS-232, RS-485, Fieldbus, Profibus or HART.

Industrial Applications

Applied Analytics explains that sulfur compounds in natural gas cause pipeline corrosion, reduce sales gas quality, contribute to regulated SO₂ emissions when the gas is burned, and can make odorised gas smell intolerable. Reliable online monitoring of total sulfur load, as provided by the Applied Analytics TSA-200, is therefore needed to verify sulfur removal and satisfy customers and regulators. In Oman this applies to gas processing and treatment plants in the interior, export and LNG feed gas at Sur and Duqm, custody transfer points on the national gas network, and fuel gas to power stations and industrial users in Sohar and Salalah.

The Applied Analytics TSA-200 is also relevant to refinery fuel gas systems and to gas sweetening units, where operators need to confirm that treated gas stays within specification. Seven Star LLC supplies the Applied Analytics TSA-200 on request with engineering support in Muscat, and can coordinate certification, sample probes and calibration gases with the manufacturer.

Technical Specifications

The values below are taken from Applied Analytics data sheet DS-008A and the current Applied Analytics TSA-200 product page; performance assumes a sample system and installation approved by the manufacturer.

How to Order

To request a quotation for the Applied Analytics TSA-200, send Seven Star LLC the gas composition, expected total sulfur range, sample pressure and temperature, area classification and the outputs your DCS requires. We will confirm the configuration and certification with the manufacturer, advise on lead time for Oman and the GCC, and the Applied Analytics data sheet can be downloaded from this page. Related analyzers include the Applied Analytics OMA-300 H2S analyzer, the Applied Analytics OMA-300 multi-stream analyzer and the Servomex SERVOPRO 4900 multigas analyzer for SO₂ emissions.

Also from Applied Analytics: Applied Analytics TLG-837 tail gas analyzer and Applied Analytics OMA-406R rackmount analyzer.