Process Insights has expanded its innovative process analyser systems that measure physical properties online with a Guided Wave new probe design that delivers more measurement solutions for reactor operators.

It builds on the success of the popular single-sided transmission (SST) probe by adding a resistance temperature detector (RTD) to provide additional temperature data along with near-infrared (NIR) measurements.

The rugged and reliable RTD-SST probe is ideal for continuous process monitoring applications.

Easily installed in a pipe or reactor through a single access port, it is compatible with most analysers, offering a competitive solution for older chemical plants or reactors without access ports for additional process analytical tools.

The new design is also ideal for applications that benefit from high-accuracy temperature and NIR measurements being completed at the same location – for example, temperature-sensitive measurements such as methanol in water.

Customers who have an older reactor and cannot add a flange without getting their reactor recertified, will also save money by instead adding a NIR probe with a built-in RTD.

Dr. Ryan Lerud, Product Manager for Guided Wave said: “Reactors built in the 1960s and 1970s may not have any available ports (flanges) in their current system to expand or accomplish all necessary measurements and will likely have a temperature probe already installed into their reactor. Our new RTD-SST probe provides the opportunity to add newer technology and competitive solutions to these older systems.”

The new design means that two versions of the RTD-SST Probe are now available.

The option with RTD built into the SST Probe at the path piece (tip) is designed for older reactors with no available ports, and suits flanges of any size.

The customer can carry out a form-fit replacement of the existing thermal well and RTD with this new RTD-SST probe, which provides better temperature compensation for NIR measurements than having an RTD and NIR probe installed on separate flanges.

If the customer prefers to supply their own thermal well and RTD, a second configuration is available with the NIR probe built off-center and a coupler welded to the flange. This design is ideal for flanges of four inches or larger.