AMETEK 3050-OLV Process Moisture Analyzer

Overview

The AMETEK 3050-OLV is an on-line process moisture analyzer from AMETEK Process Instruments that measures trace water in gases and vapours in parts per million by volume. It combines a quartz crystal microbalance sensor with an internal moisture generator, so the analyzer can confirm its own accuracy on a schedule or on demand without being removed from service. Calibrated at the factory over 0.1 to 2500 ppmv, it follows a process from start-up, when water levels are high, right through to normal low-ppm operation, and it is widely used on natural gas, feed gas and industrial gas streams.

For gas processing plants, LNG trains, refineries and petrochemical complexes in Oman and the GCC, moisture control protects pipelines from hydrate formation and corrosion, shields catalysts and cryogenic equipment, and proves sales-gas quality against contract limits. Seven Star LLC supplies the AMETEK 3050-OLV to operators and EPC contractors across the region, with engineering support in Muscat and help with configuration, sample system selection and spare parts.

Measurement Principle

At the heart of the AMETEK 3050-OLV is a quartz crystal oscillator coated with a hygroscopic film. As the film adsorbs water molecules from the sample gas, the crystal’s mass increases and its resonant frequency falls in proportion. The analyzer alternates the sensor between wet sample gas and a dry reference gas that it produces continuously from the same sample stream by passing it through a drier. Comparing the two frequencies cancels drift and background effects, giving a measurement that is specific to moisture in most applications and that responds quickly to both rising and falling water content.

The on-line verification function of the AMETEK 3050-OLV adds a second layer of confidence. An internal moisture source with NIST-traceable calibration adds a known amount of water to the conditioned sample, and the analyzer checks that the sensor reports the expected increase. Operators can therefore prove analyzer accuracy and responsiveness from the control room instead of pulling the instrument for bench calibration. Because the technique does not depend on computer-enhanced response, wet-up and dry-down readings are near real-time.

Engineering Design of the AMETEK 3050-OLV

The AMETEK 3050-OLV is offered in four configurations: a black-box analyzer, a NEMA 1 enclosure for weather-protected indoor locations, a NEMA 4X version for NEC Class I, Division 2 hazardous indoor or outdoor areas, and an explosion-proof IP65 enclosure for Zone 1 or Division 1 locations, suitable for indoor or outdoor installation. The analyzer itself runs on 24 VDC at 50 W, while enclosed versions with a sample system take 120 or 230 VAC at up to 150 W. Ambient limits are 5 to 50 °C for the analyzer and −20 to 45 °C for the enclosed analyzer with sample system.

Sample gas enters the AMETEK 3050-OLV at 1.3 to 3.3 bar gauge, or up to 200 bar with the optional pressure reducer, and the analyzer performance is independent of process pressure. The unit needs about 150 sccm of sample, with roughly 1.0 slpm of bypass flow for faster response, and exhausts at 0 to 1 bar gauge. Outputs include an isolated 4–20 mA signal and RS232 and RS485 ports supporting Modbus RTU, plus three alarm contacts for system, data valid and concentration. Readings can be shown in ppmv, ppmw, lb/MMSCF, mg/Nm³ or dew point in °C or °F when process pressure is supplied.

Key Features

The main reasons process engineers select the AMETEK 3050-OLV for trace moisture duty are listed below.

• Quartz crystal microbalance sensing provides accuracy of ±0.1 ppmv or ±10% of reading, whichever is greater, with standard calibration.
• A wide calibrated range of 0.1 to 2500 ppmv covers start-up and normal operation without special calibration ranges.
• The internal moisture generator enables on-demand verification without removing the analyzer from the line.
• The sensor tolerates sour gas with up to 30% hydrogen sulfide or 100% carbon dioxide, and typical mercury levels in natural gas do not affect it.
• Methanol, process gas temperature and ambient changes within operating limits do not unfavourably affect the measurement.
• Reproducibility of ±5% of reading from 1 to 2500 ppmv and a 0.1 ppmv detection limit support custody and quality decisions.
• Modbus RTU over RS485, an isolated 4–20 mA output and three alarm relays simplify integration with DCS and SCADA systems.
• ATEX and IECEx Zone 1, UL/CSA Class I Division 1 and Division 2 versions cover most hazardous-area installations.

Industrial Applications

In Oman, the AMETEK 3050-OLV fits naturally on the dehydration units of gas processing plants, at pipeline entry points and on sales-gas metering skids, where operators must prove that water content stays below contractual limits measured in lb/MMSCF or mg/Nm³. Downstream of glycol contactors and molecular sieve dryers, the analyzer gives early warning of breakthrough so the AMETEK 3050-OLV lets beds be regenerated before wet gas reaches cryogenic or LNG equipment. Its tolerance of high H2S and CO2 makes it suitable for the sour gas streams found at many fields across the Sultanate and the wider Gulf.

Refineries and petrochemical complexes in Sohar, Duqm and elsewhere in the GCC use the AMETEK 3050-OLV on feed gases to crackers and reformers, on hydrogen and recycle gas, and on industrial gas production where moisture would poison catalysts or degrade product quality. Seven Star LLC supplies the AMETEK 3050-OLV together with matching sample systems, spare sensors and consumables, and offers engineering support in Muscat with selection and specification.

Technical Specifications

The principal AMETEK 3050-OLV performance data from the manufacturer’s product data sheet (F-0124) are summarised below.

Related AMETEK Analyzers

For other gas plant measurements, see the AMETEK 5100P transportable TDLAS analyzer, AMETEK 900 air demand analyzer for sulfur recovery and 3050 DO MCU board spare part.

How to Order

To order the AMETEK 3050-OLV, send Seven Star LLC a formal RFQ with your gas composition, pressure, moisture range, hazardous-area classification and preferred enclosure. Our instrumentation team will confirm the right configuration, current availability and delivery to sites in Oman and the GCC. The product datasheet can be downloaded from this page, and our engineers in Muscat are available to discuss sample conditioning and integration with your control system.