How Palas® Aerosol Spectrometer Can Help Biofuel at High Temperatures and Pressures

Gas cleaning has always been an issue in the field of biofuel projects. It is often necessary to purify feedstock gases from combustion waste and test its purification effect, often at high temperatures and pressures. This is a significant challenge for gas measurement and separation.

Palas® Promo® 3000HP Aerosol Spectrometer enables particle size characterization at high temperatures and pressures, providing data on the distribution of aerosols. With the necessary particle measurement technology, researchers in Karlsruhe chose Palas® Promo® 3000HP Aerosol Spectrometer for reliable data on the project “biofuel”.


Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (KIT building)

Challenges for biofuel

“After the gasification, we have to work up the raw gas for the fuel synthesis,” declares Dipl.-Ing. Robert Mai from the institute. The project is engaged in biofuel research, extracting fuel from straw and wood waste. Analyzing and participating impurities (soot particles, sulfur, hydrogen chloride, etc.) in raw fuel gas is vital to fuel composition. And because of the flammable nature of the catalyst, protecting it from an explosion is also important.


Dipl.-Ing. Robert Mai at the pilot plant system of the biofuel project

Promo® 3000HP can provide particle concentration and distribution measurements for the filtration and cleaning conditions at 250 °C and 10 bar. The actual procedure shall be conducted at approximately 600°C and 80 bar. And the pilot plant system must be reached at least 200 °C to avoid condensation. However, gas measurements cannot be made under these conditions, so a secondary flow shall be separated and cooled to 200 °C. Then it can lead to the aerosol sensor without pressure.

The separate external sensor communicates with the data control unit via fiber optics. It’s suitable for monitoring flammable and explosive aerosols, avoiding contact between the cable and the flammable gas. Promo® 3000HP serves to protect the flammable catalyst and ensures a safe environment. Moreover, comparing the data before and after purification is required to check the cleaning effect. In Promo® 3000HP, an automatic and optical switch between raw and clean gas sensors is integrated, which enables rapid filter testing. While the two sensors for measuring the raw and the purged gas can be connected via optical fiber: while welas® sensor 2070 H is used for detecting raw gases at high concentrations, welas® sensor 2300 H is used for detecting purged gases at concentrations below 10 mg/m3.

 Trusted Palas® instruments

After knowing the outstanding Palas® instruments in the laboratory, we can also see them at the Christian Albrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Research at the University of Kiel. The Palas® Promo® series is a white-light aerosol measurement system that enables high-resolution temporal analysis of individual particles. Thanks to digital, individual signal processing. The proven T-construction and the advantages of the modular design also allow the welas® system sensors to utilize flexible new scattering spectra. Which contributes to high resolution, ensuring highly reliable measurement results.

Palas® equipment and instruments provide reliable data for different monitoring environments. And we will continue to provide peace of mind for research and practical measurements in the future.

Promo® 3000HP Aerosol Spectrometer

Palas® Promo® 3000HP aerosol spectrometer is not only resistant to high temperatures and pressures but can also monitor flammable and explosive aerosols. It can also measure particle concentration and size at concentrations up to 106 p/cm3. A dual probe solution is also available, which can be configured for high concentrations (up to 1×106 p/cm3) or low concentrations (down to 1 p/cm3) to meet the measurement needs of different concentration areas. At the same time, Palas® Promo® 3000HP can be connected to a process control system via various interfaces (USB, Ethernet (LAN), Wi-Fi, RS-232/485) for system integration.

Advantages
·   Measuring range of 0.2 to 100 µm (4 measuring ranges selectable in one device)
·   Up to four measuring ranges in only one device:
–   0,2 µm – 10 µm
–   0,3 µm – 17 µm
–   0,6 µm – 40 µm
–   2 µm – 100 µm (additionally for sensors 2300 and 2500)
·   Up to 128 size channels per measuring range
·   Concentration range of 1 particle/cm3 to 106particles/cm3
·   Calibration curves for different refractive indices
·   Very high and reproducible counting efficiency rate starting at 0.2 µm
·   Optical fiber technology
·   Simple operation with a large touch display
·   Calibration, cleaning and lamp replacement can all be performed independently by the customer
·   External control by RS 232 or Ethernet
·   With analysis software PDAnalyze
·   Optional: Software PDControl for operation as Welas® digital available
·   Low maintenance
·   Reliable function
·   Reduces your operating expenses

Applications
·   Emission monitoring of installations
·   Control of grinding and classification processes
·   Monitoring of production processes in the food, pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries
·   Testing of complete filters, inertial and wet separators or electrostatic precipitators

(Source of information and some pictures: Sitacuisses – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

Palas® organizes a series of webinars on various topics to share professional knowledge of aerosol measurement technology. Palas® technical experts and industry scholars from all over the world will give you detailed online explanations. Welcome to register to attend and learn more about the webinars as soon as possible!

Topic: Study on aerosol concentration and particle size distribution
Time: Friday, June 2, 2023 15: 00 – 16: 00

Speaker: Mr. Jeff Yi
Market Manager of Industry & Science at Palas® China

You are welcome to register for the conference!
Click here to register