Optical Analysis

Optical Analysis

Endress+Hauser’s Optical Analysis portfolio brings together complementary light‑based measurement technologies, tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), quenched fluorescence (QF), Raman spectroscopy, and scattered‑light/photometric techniques, into a coherent offering that spans lab, pilot, and full‑scale plant environments. The range covers in‑situ and extractive analyzers for process gases, emission‑monitoring systems (CEMS), particle/dust monitors for stacks and wet flue gas, air‑quality/visibility solutions for tunnels, and digital analyzer software and services that handle reporting and fleet health. The intent is straightforward: give designers, plant engineers, and operators real‑time composition and quality visibility with proven platforms that are fast, robust, and scalable across industries from chemicals and oil & gas to life sciences, power, water, and mining. Category pages emphasize real‑time measurement, quality/reliability, scalability from R&D to manufacturing, and high plant availability, backed by IIoT‑ready data access for PAC/PAT workflows.

TDLAS and QF analyzers address online gas purity and contaminant control where speed and selectivity matter. TDLAS units such as the J22 provide direct, non‑contact measurement of trace moisture (H₂O) in natural gas and related streams; the JT33 extends laser absorption to H₂S for pipeline and processing compliance, with differential methods that tolerate stream changes and integrated auto‑validation plus Heartbeat‑enabled verification diagnostics. QF analyzers (e.g., OXY5500) measure oxygen by fluorescence quenching, delivering trace‑to‑percent O₂ readings without the H₂S/CO₂/H₂O cross‑sensitivities that plague galvanic cells. Typical use cases include pipeline quality checks (H₂O, H₂S, CO₂), dehydration unit control, amine system protection, sulfur recovery, and inerting/blanketing O₂ surveillance in gas processing and LNG. Engineers benefit from low maintenance (no reagents/consumables), rapid response, and robust metrological performance even under difficult compositions and loading.

Raman spectroscopic systems (Kaiser Raman technology) deliver multiplexed, chemistry‑specific insight for liquids, slurries, gases, and solids, from development benches to cGMP lines. Rxn‑series analyzers (Rxn2 for lab/scale‑up; Rxn4 for production; Rxn5 for gas‑phase efficiency) support 532, 785, or ~1000 nm excitation, host embedded Raman RunTime control software, and offer self‑monitoring/self‑calibration to assure every spectrum. A comprehensive probe/optics portfolio (Rxn‑10 lab probe; Rxn‑20 solids PhAT‑style sampling; Rxn‑30 headspace/in‑situ; and the Rxn‑46 bioprocess probe, including single‑use integration with Sartorius BioPAT® Spectro) enables robust installation across reactors, crystallizers, pipelines, and bioreactors. In practice, Raman enables reaction monitoring, endpoint detection, crystallinity/polymorph control, blend uniformity, polymerization tracking, and real‑time bioprocess control (e.g., glucose/lactate and other critical attributes), with published case studies reporting large titer gains in mammalian cell culture when glucose is controlled by Raman feedback.

Process gas analyzers in the Optical Analysis portfolio complement TDLAS/QF and Raman with technologies and systems engineered for combustion optimization, safety interlocks, and process control. The category spans families such as ZIRKOR/TRANSIC for oxygen monitoring, GM/MCS for in‑situ and extractive spectrometry, and platformed systems that integrate sampling, conditioning, and communications. Typical deployments include furnace and boiler O₂ trim, syngas and off‑gas tracking, calciner and kiln control, and general plant safety where rapid indication and wide turndown are essential. The product finder highlights multi‑protocol connectivity (Modbus, PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP) and a range of analyzer/system types suited to chemical, power, metals/mining, water, and other verticals, useful when you need to standardize interfaces and documentation across a heterogeneous installed base.

Emission monitoring solutions (CEMS) package hot‑wet and cold‑dry extractive gas analysis with certified instruments and data handling for compliance and process optimization. The MERCEM300Z system provides mercury measurement down to very low concentrations using an extractive, heated path to avoid condensation artifacts, suited for coal/lignite power, waste‑to‑energy, and industrial combustion. Complementary analyzers in the GM/MCS/MARSIC families handle regulatory species (e.g., SO₂/NOx/CO/CO₂, HCl/HF, NH₃ slip, and O₂), while documentation highlights certified approaches (EN 14181/EN 15267 for dust devices; applicable federal/state frameworks) and integrated services for calibration/verification, condition monitoring, and reporting. From a project perspective, pre‑engineered systems and DAHS integration shorten specification to SAT, while standard hot‑wet architectures ensure accuracy for water‑soluble components.

Particle (dust) measuring devices cover transmittance and forward/back‑scatter designs to match duct geometry and concentration range, plus specialized solutions for wet gases. DUSTHUNTER instruments address medium‑to‑high load applications and large ducts where path‑integrated transmittance delivers representative results. For saturated/wet flue gas, the FWE200DH uses an extractive, heated method to vaporize droplets and protect data integrity, enabling accurate measurement at very low dust concentrations. Typical applications include electrostatic precipitator and baghouse monitoring, WtE and biomass stacks, wet scrubber outlets, and cement/steel kilns; multi‑protocol options support straightforward DCS historian integration and alarming for bag leak detection or compliance excursions.

Air quality, visibility, and smoke detection for tunnels and transport expand optical analysis into safety‑critical infrastructure. VISIC/VICOTEC devices enable visibility (K‑value) and pollutant monitoring to drive closed‑loop ventilation control; SMOTEC smoke detectors provide fast, forward‑scatter‑based smoke detection tailored to long, harsh tunnel environments. These instruments are engineered for rugged service, integrate with common industrial protocols, and are deployed to keep road and rail tunnels within design limits for visibility and toxic load while providing early event detection for incident response. Typical projects leverage these devices alongside visual‑range systems to optimize fan duty cycles and energy consumption without sacrificing safety margins.

Digital analyzer solutions close the loop with software and packaged services for data acquisition, compliance, and fleet health. Offerings include the Monitoring Box for remote analyzer condition monitoring and predictive maintenance; MEAC/Maritime suites and DAHS‑class tools for emission calculation, status prediction, and automated reporting; and connectivity spanning on‑prem to cloud. These toolsets reduce the administrative load of running analyzers, support audits with consistent data retention, and give maintenance teams actionable diagnostics to plan interventions. When combined with analyzer‑embedded diagnostics (e.g., Heartbeat verification/reporting in selected TDLAS units), plants can document measurement integrity and extend service intervals with confidence.

In day‑to‑day engineering terms, specifying within the Optical Analysis portfolio means choosing the right optical principle for the control or compliance objective, then selecting the analyzer form factor (in‑situ vs. extractive; rack/enclosure), sample interface (probe, headspace, bypass, heated extractive), and the digital layer needed for data handling and verification. For gas quality and asset protection, TDLAS/QF offer fast, drift‑resistant measurements of H₂O, H₂S, CO₂, and O₂; for process understanding and quality release, Raman provides multi‑attribute models that scale from lab to plant with the same methods and embedded software; for environmental stewardship and permitting, CEMS and dust devices combine certified sensors with reporting and service frameworks; and for infrastructure safety, tunnel visibility and smoke solutions deliver deterministic triggers for ventilation and alarms. Across these use cases, the catalog’s emphasis on real‑time measurement, quality/reliability, scalability, and high availability aligns to familiar project KPIs: shorter cycle times, tighter spec adherence, lower energy/chemical consumption, and auditable compliance.

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