Aurora provides rapid natural gas processing
31 Oct 2012
GE claims its Aurora analyser can measure moisture in natural gas faster and up to 30 times more accurately than existing systems.
The analyser uses high definition laser absorption spectroscopy (HDLAS) to measure moisture levels in natural gas.
According to the company, its precision measurement capabilities provide readings in real-time with up to 30 times more resolution than existing laser absorption analysers.
The above video illustrates the response time of the Aurora and compares this with a chilled mirror, HygroPro and MMY-30 and MG-101.
The system can be used for a wide range of applications across the petrochemical industry where water detection is important.
The system provides up to 30 times more resolution than existing laser absorption analysers
Water, even in minute amounts, causes a loss of laser light at specific light frequencies. The loss of laser energy is directly related to the concentration of water.
The high definition technique scans a laser diode across a narrow frequency band.
What differentiates Aurora is the incorporation of two fundamental innovations to increase sensitivity and resolution.
The first is a multi-pass optical cell to bounce the laser beam back and forth between two specially curved mirrors.
This increases the path length of the laser beam so that it encounters more water molecules in its passage through the gas.
The second is the application of vacuum in the measurement cell.
This decreases the interactions between the water and carrier gas molecules, which interferes with the measurement of moisture at trace levels.
The measurement resolution is significantly increased and signal-noise ratio is improved.
In addition to measuring moisture concentration, dew/frost point, temperature and pressure, Aurora Trace also continuously monitors “instrument health” parameters to assure ongoing measurement integrity.
Aurora Trace is field programmable by a magnetic stylus, eliminating the need for a hazardous area “hot permit.”
The remote software and digital interface options claim to further reduce maintenance costs and simplify operation.
Data acquisition from the Aurora Trace data is transmitted as three programmable 4-20 mA signals or digitally via RS-232/485 with Modbus RTU.
