Process Mass Spectrometryin Hydrocarbon Processing

Part of Thermo Fisher ScientificDriving Plant Optimization at the Speed of Mass Spectrometry.

Field-Proven Technology with a Worldwide Installation BaseFast, accurate, comprehensive gas analysis data enables model predictive control systems to be updated in real-time, resulting in production
unit optimization and maximum profitability. Hydrocarbon processing plants around the world use Thermo Scientific process mass spectrometers
to optimize a diverse range of chemical production processes as well as to monitor fugitive emissions. The new Thermo Scientific Prima PRO
and Sentinel PRO mass spectrometers are built to meet the application-specific needs of today’s modern integrated chemical production plant,
ensuring enhanced operation of a number of manufacturing units (figure 1).

Figure 1: Hydrocarbon processing flow diagram indicating a sampling of manufacturing units that benefit most from process mass spectrometry

Methanol Plant

Steam Reformer

MTBE Plant

Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether

Acetic Acid Plant

Acetic Acid

SyngasMethanolNatural Gas

Ammonia Plant

Ammonia

PB Plant

Low-Sulfur Diesel

Hydrogen Plant

Hydrogen

PVC Plant

Polyvinylchloride

EDC Plant
Ethylenedichloride

Gas Processing Plant

High Density Polyethylene
Ethylene

PE Plant
Linear Low Density Polyethylene

EthaneEthylene Oxide
EO-EG Plant

PropaneEthylene Glycol

Propylene

PP Plant

Polypropylene

Butadiene

ABS Plant

Synthetic Rubber

Butylene

PB Plant

PolybutyleneRPG

Benzene Plant

BenzeneOlefin (Alkene) Plant

Thermo Scientific Prima PRO and Sentinel PRO:The Next Generation Begins
Backed by more than 30 years of process mass spectrometry success,the next-generation Thermo Scientific Prima PRO and Sentinel PRO
have been engineered to meet a number of challenging hydrocarbon
applications, including:• Natural gas processing• Olefin production• Cracking furnace optimization• Ethylene oxide / ethylene glycol• Polyolefin production• Ammonia production• Fugitive emissions of toxic VOCs.
The Prima PRO process mass spectrometer (MS) increases yields via
precise analysis of multiple gas process streams and has proven todeliver faster, more complete online gas composition analysis. Minimal
maintenance requirements, ease-of-use and its ability toprovide reliable, real-time data to the distributed control system (DCS)
ensure a strong return on investment. Built on the same platform as thePrima PRO, the Sentinel PRO environmental mass spectrometer offers
many of the same advantages yet is designed to fulfill the need for
pinpoint environmental monitoring of fugitive emissions. It semicontinuously monitors 60 to 120 sample points and features highly
sensitive detection capabilities to ensure reliable leak detection,
increasing plant safety as well as regulatory compliance. In addition,a single Sentinel PRO or Prima PRO can easily replace multiple gas
chromatograph (GC) systems to reduce sample time, simplify
maintenance and, most importantly, lower overall capital costs.

Principles of Operation
The cornerstone of both the Prima PRO and the Sentinel PRO, and thepreferred technology for highly stable, rapid gas analysis, is the scanningmagnetic sector MS. Using this technology, gas is continuously drawn
from the sample-conditioning system via a multi-stream inlet into the ion
source where the gas molecules are ionized and fragmented. The ionsare accelerated at high energy into the electromagnetic mass filter
before selected ions are counted at the detector. The fragmented
molecules produce a very repeatable ‘fingerprint’ spectrum, allowing
gases with similar molecular weights to be measured with high accuracy
and without interference. The onboard controller presents gas
concentration data and derived values, such as calorific value and carbon
balance, directly to the process control system using a variety of industry
standard protocols. A rugged, fault-tolerant design ensures availability,
typically exceeding 99.7%, while maintenance requirements are
significantly minimized.

New Models Deliver Strong ROI• Fast (1 to 20 seconds per point) online gas analysis for accurate
tracking of process dynamics• Comprehensive compositional gas analysis results in more data
supplied to advanced process control (APC) models• Stable with a 30 to 90 day calibration interval (automated)• Reliable, fault-tolerant design for availability of >99.7%• Small footprint with no large shelter required• Minimal maintenance requirements reduce operating costs

A Single Prima PRO Does the Work of 10 Gas Chromatographs.

is recovered in the Sulfur Unit (or Claus Unit) which employs a two-stepthermal and catalytic process to convert the H2S into elemental sulfur.
Tail gas is the common term for the remaining gas which is treated forresidual H2S and subsequently incinerated.
Water vapor, trace mercury and nitrogen are removed before the gas
plant fractionates the raw gas into residue gas, ethane, propane, butane
and natural gasoline products. The various stages of the fractionation
train rely on boiling point differences to separate the individual paraffins.

Natural Gas Processing
Raw inlet gas may originate from nearby gas fields or it may be a productof another type of process (i.e., refinery off-gas) or it may be collected
as associated gas from oil fields. As a result, the composition andvolume of each inlet stream to the gas plant may be significantly
different. Generally, natural gas consists of 85% methane and varying
amounts of natural gas liquids (NGL), including ethane (C2H6), propane(C3H8), normal butane (n-C4H10), isobutane (i-C4H10), pentanes and higher
molecular weight hydrocarbons (C5+), inerts (typically nitrogen andhelium), and acid gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon
dioxide (CO2). The latter are removed in the Acid Gas Removal Unit
using membrane technology or aqueous amine solutions. The sulfur

Prima PRO: Rapid, Precise
Compositional Gas Analysis
Using the Prima PRO, fast, online, highly accurate analysis of theproperties of these process gases is achieved. The properties include
complete and precise compositional analysis and the calculation ofcalorific value (gross and net), density, specific gravity, Wobbe Index,
stoichiometric air requirement and the combustion air requirement index(CARI). The latter value is used for combustion control where gas isburned within the processing plant. The Prima PRO also provides precise
gas composition as inputs to the material balance equations that areused to control the various stages of the process. Additional Prima PRO
benefits include:• Reduced energy consumption (fuel gas and electricity)• Increased liquids recovery• Precise measurement of the product’s energy value• Reduced environmental emissions.

Table 1: Typical natural gas performance specification
Gas Component% Molar Concentration

Precision % Absolute

CO2

6.000

0.005

CH4

84.849

0.010

N2

0.100

0.005

C2H6

5.500

0.003

C3H8

1.000

0.001

n-C4H10

0.500

0.001

i-C4H10

0.500

0.001

n-C5H12

0.200

0.001

i-C5H12

0.200

0.001

C6H14

0.100

0.001

H2S

0.001

0.00005

NOTE: Precision is the standard deviation observed over 24 hours and assumes
an analysis time of 15 seconds.

Figure 2: Natural gas process flow diagram
Gas WellElemental Sulfur

Sulfur UnitMS

MS

Tail Gas
TreatmentMS

Mercury
RemovalIncinerator

MS

Acid Gas

Acid Gas
RemovalMS

Dehydration

NitrogenRejection

MS

Condensate/
Water Removal

Fractionation
Train

MS

MS

EthaneMS

PropaneMS

ButanesNGL
RecoveryMS

MS

Waste Water

C5+

Natural Gas Pipeline

MS Potential Mass Spectrometer Sample Pointare suitable for pyrolysis gasoline or fuel oil. The higher cracking
temperature, or severity, favors the production of ethylene and benzene,
whereas lower severity produces relatively higher amounts of propylene,
C4-hydrocarbons and liquid products.
This process also results in the slow deposition of coke on the furnacetube or cracking coil walls. In turn, the efficiency of the reactor degrades
since the carbon layer limits heat transfer and increases pressure drop.
Reaction conditions are designed to minimize the coke deposition rate.
Kinetic models are used to predict the thickness of the coke layer,
ensuring the effect on cracking severity versus furnace temperature canbe predicted. A steam cracking furnace can usually only run for a few
months at a time between de-coking which requires the furnace beisolated from the fractionation train. A flow of steam or a steam/air
mixture is passed through the furnace coils, resulting in the conversionof the hard solid carbon layer to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Once this reaction is complete, the furnace can be returned to service.
Alternatively, an off-line, low temperature mechanical method using
a caustic wash to blast the carbon deposits out of the coils is effective.
Either way, each furnace is down for at least 27 hours during the decoking process. The following section describes how cracking furnace
optimization is achieved using the Prima PRO.

Olefin Production
A typical olefin plant is divided into two basic sections: cracking furnaces
and the fractionation train. Ethylene cracking, or pyrolysis, furnaces break
down saturated hydrocarbons into smaller, unsaturated hydrocarbons.
The principal industrial method for producing lighter alkenes, or olefins,including ethylene, propylene and butylene, is steam cracking. In thisprocess, a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon feed (i.e. naphtha, LPG,
hydrocracked vacuum gas oils or a simple ethane/propane mix) is diluted
with steam and briefly heated in a furnace. The reaction temperature istypically very high (~850°C) with reaction time limited to less than asecond. In modern cracking furnaces, the residence time is reduced tomilliseconds, resulting in ultrasonic gas velocities, to improve the yield ofdesired products. After the cracking temperature has been reached, thegas is quickly quenched in a transfer line heat exchanger to stop thereaction. The product yield during the reaction depends on thecomposition of the feed, the hydrocarbon-to-steam ratio, the cracking
temperature and the furnace residence time.
Light hydrocarbon feeds, including ethane, LPGs or light naphthas,yield product slates rich in lighter alkenes, including ethylene, propylene,
and butadiene. Naphthas and refinery liquid feeds produce some of theselighter alkenes, but also yield products rich in aromatic hydrocarbons that

Figure 3: Cracking furnace

Reflux Sample Conditioning
Thermo Scientific PyGas

To Mass Spectrometer

Stack
QuenchCompression
Acid Gas Removal
Pre-Heated Feedstock

Feedstock

RecycleRecycleSteam

Boiler Feedwater

Steam

Heat Exchanger

Wall Burners

Convection Section (+600°C)

Cracking Furnace (+850°C to +900°C)

Hearth Burners

Increase Yield Without Sacrificing Ease-of-Use or Simple Maintenance.

Cracking Furnace Optimization
Basic Principles
At any given moment, product yields depend on many factors, including
feedstock composition, dilution steam flow, hydrocarbon flow, coiltemperature distribution (i.e. the burner firing rate and fuel energy
content), furnace draft and cracking coil coke composition. Model
predictive control (MPC) is used to predict some of these variations
based on numerous measured parameters, such as the coil outlet
temperature and feed flow rates. Subsequently, the temperature andresidence time can be optimized to maximize the yield of the target
olefins while minimizing the coke deposition rate. Although therelationships between the numerous process variables are complex,
it is generally true that, if the cracking severity is too low, the ethylene
yield will be low. If the cracking severity is too high, the coking rate
will be high and the yield degradation will be unacceptable.

Cracking Severity Technology Comparison
Figure 4a illustrates how the actual cracking severity may vary over time
when the dynamic models are operating with no compositional feedback.
In these situations, a typical ethylene yield will be approximately 62%
for a gas-fed unit.
Figure 4b illustrates the beneficial effect of using online gas
chromatographs (GC) to measure the actual cracking severity index(i.e., propylene/ethylene and propylene/methane ratios). This regular
six-minute interval measurement facilitates tighter control allowing theseverity set point to be raised. This upgrade will typically provide a 5%
increase in yield on a gas-fed cracker, explaining why the majority of theworld’s ethylene units employ process GCs for process control purposes.
Figure 4c illustrates how tighter control can be achieved when the
GCs are replaced by the Prima PRO in a more modern facility. The speedof the Prima PRO allows a single process MS to replace five GCs while
reducing the sample interval from six minutes to two, resulting in an
additional 2% increase in yield.
It should be noted that the GC analysis is restricted to a C1 to C3
analysis because speed is important for this very dynamic process.
Whereas this measurement is sufficient for measuring the actual
cracking severity index, it does not provide sufficient data to allow
the kinetic models to accurately predict the coke deposition rate
which results from the agglomeration and polymerization of heavyhydrocarbons. Therefore, in a typical installation, additional GCs will
be provided for a much slower extended C1 to C4 analysis to provide
additional data for the models. The analysis is further extended
for liquid-fed furnaces since C5 analysis is required to calculate theKinetic Severity Factor (KSF) which is used to optimize the productionof specific olefins depending on market conditions (Table 2).
Additional extended-analysis GCs will typically be multiplexed toallow a single GC to monitor four to five furnaces. A single Prima PRO,
however, monitors the complete composition of the furnace effluent
with no additional units required.
The extended analysis of the Prima PRO also provides the additional
capability of monitoring the heavy hydrocarbons that would normallybe removed by the Thermo Scientific PyGas reflux sample conditioning
system. This data provides predictive maintenance capabilities in theevent that breakthrough occurs in the sample conditioning system,
ensuring more reliable operation.
Table 2: Target kinetic severity factors
KSF

Product to be Maximized

1.7

Propylene

2.3

Butadiene

2.7

Combined Olefins

3.9

Ethylene

Figure 5: Ethylene concentration by GC and MS

27.8
27.6

Mole %

27.4
27.2
27.0
26.8

Model Gas Chromatograph Data
Mass Spectrometer Data

26.6
0

25

50

75
Elapsed Time (minutes)

100

125

150

Cracking Severity Results
Figure 4a: No online analysis
Variations caused by changes in feedstock and gas velocity

Excessive Coking

62%
C2H4
Yield

Low Yield
0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

Elapsed Time (minutes)

Figure 4b: Reset using GC
One gas chromatograph per furnace measuring C1-C3 every six minutes

Excessive Coking

67%
C2H4
Yield

Low Yield
0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

Elapsed Time (minutes)

Figure 4c: Reset using MS
One mass spectrometer per five furnaces measuring C1-C7+ every two minutes

Excessive Coking

69%
C2H4
Yield

Low Yield
0

25

50

75

100
Elapsed Time (minutes)

125

150

175

200

Superior Analytical Performance at One Third of the Cost.

Cost/Benefit Analysis for Cracking Severity Control
Prima PRO Solution

Process GC Solution

Figure 6 illustrates a Prima PRO configured with 60 sample ports and24 calibration ports. A redundant pair of similarly configured MSs canreplace the 15 GCs as illustrated in Figure 7 at approximately 33% of thecapital cost while providing superior analytical performance. In addition,
the two Prima PROs can be installed in a relatively inexpensive shelter atroughly 25% of the GC shelter price. The maintenance cost is also muchless at approximately 20% of that for the GC-based solution. While thecalibration gas consumption will be higher for the Prima PRO, the costs
associated with this gas are minimal when compared to the initial outlay
and ongoing cost of maintaining the GCs. In addition, the Prima PRO does
not require hydrogen fuel or helium carrier gas, making it an even more
economical solution.

Figure 7 illustrates a typical configuration with 10 GCs deployed
for cracking severity control with an additional five extended analysis
chromatographs providing data for the APC kinetic models. The capital
cost for the GCs is approximately $1 million. In addition, maintenance forthese systems must be carried out in all types of weather. While someGCs are able to fully compensate for climatic influences and can belocated outdoors without a large, expensive shelter, some GCs cannot.
A pre-fabricated shelter will house complete pre-piped and pre-wired,assembled systems. In addition, all necessary utilities andcommunications can be pre-installed. While this scenario provides theperfect environment for maintenance personnel, the disadvantage is thehigh cost associated with a large shelter. With a large number of GCs tomaintain, the total cost of ownership is high: approximately $7,000 per
GC per annum, excluding carrier, fuel and calibration gas consumption.

Figure 6: Mass spectrometer with 60 sample and 24 calibration ports

Figure 7: Typical GS configuration for a 10-furnace ethylene unitEthylene Oxide / Ethylene Glycol
Ethylene oxide (EO) is manufactured by the direct oxidation of ethylene overa silver oxide catalyst. Because the EO molecule is highly reactive, production
is often integrated with ethylene glycol which is easily transported.
Ethylene, compressed oxygen and the recycle gas are preheated before
being injected into one of the tubular reactors that contains the silveroxide catalyst. Selectivity, as in the production of the target moleculerather than CO2 and H2O, is improved by the addition of chlorinecompounds. Catalyst activity declines over time, requiring a gradualincrease in reaction temperature. To increase the flammable limit
in the reactor, methane is added.

Prima PRO: The Optimal
Gas Analysis Solution
The Prima PRO enables optimization of the gas analysis processby accurately measuring selectivity and by measuring the molecularbalances of carbon and oxygen to validate accuracy. The data collected
is often used to control chloride additions. The Prima PRO is also thepreferred technology for catalyst development research, where the goal
is to increase the efficiency of the catalyst at high rates of activity.

Table 3: Typical EO/EG performance specification
Gas Component

CH4

Molar Concentration

Precision % Absolute

45.50 %

0.03

N2

2.00 %

0.03

C2H4

25.00 %

0.02

C2H6

1.00 %

0.005

O2

5.00 %

0.005

Ar

10.00 %

0.01

EO

1.50 %

0.005

CO2

10.00 %

0.008

Methyl Chloride

3.00 ppm

0.20

Vinyl Chloride

3.00 ppm

0.20

Ethyl Chloride

3.00 ppm

0.20

Allyl Chloride

3.00 ppm

0.20

NOTE: Precision is the standard deviation observed over 24 hours and assumes
an analysis time of 15 seconds.

Figure 8: Schematic drawing of a typical ethylene oxide unit

Recycle Gas

Light EndsMS
Ethylene Feed

EthyleneMS

OxygenReactor Outlet

EO AdsorberMS

MS

Ethylene Oxide

Steam
Compressor Outlet
MS

CO2
StripperReactors

EO
Adsorber

CO2Adsorber

Recycle Gas
MS

EO
StripperReactor Inlet
MS

Steam

MS Potential Mass Spectrometer Sample Point

Raise the Bar on Product Quality.

Figure 9: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear, low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
HDPE

LLDPE

Polyolefin Production

Prima PRO: Precision, Speedand Multi-Stream Monitoring

Polyethylene (PE) is classified into several different categories based
mostly on its density and branching. The mechanical properties of PE
depend significantly on variables, including the extent and type ofbranching, the crystal structure and the molecular weight. HDPE has
a low degree of branching and thus stronger intermolecular forces andtensile strength. The lack of branching is ensured by an appropriate
choice of catalyst and reaction conditions. LLDPE is a substantiallylinear polymer with significant numbers of short branches, commonly
made by co-polymerization of ethylene with short-chain alpha-olefins(i.e., 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene). A full range of polymers can be
manufactured using a swing process that employs one or two fluidized
bed gas phase reactors. These polymerization reactors are fed with
ethylene, hydrogen, co-monomers and recycle gases. Polymer quality iscontrolled through gas composition which requires accurate and rapid
online analysis.

Figure 10 illustrates the data generated during an experiment. A Prima
PRO, configured to monitor five process streams, was compared withGC data compiled for monitoring the gas composition of the reactor feed.
The Prima PRO clearly tracks the variation in the hydrogen/ethylene ratiowith greater precision than the GC. Also, the Prima PRO updates the DCS
nine times faster than the single-stream GC, even as the Prima PRO is
measuring five streams. During the first 40 PMS data points, the DCS
is attempting to control the ratio using the GC data. When control isswitched to the Prima PRO data, the variation of the ratio is substantially
improved with several benefits resulting, including:• More consistent product quality• Tighter molecular weight distribution• Less off-spec product• Improved steady-state kinetics.

Figure 10: Process Gas Chromatography and Process Mass Spectrometry control comparison
GC Data Used for Control

MS Data Used for Control

0.0040Target Ratio: 2.0
0.0035

H2/C2 (Molar Ratio)

GC Ratio: 0.00194
0.0030MS Ratio: 0.002004
0.00250.002031.4%

0.00157.2%

0.0010Gas Chromatograph Data (six-minute cycle time, one sample stream)
0.0005Mass Spectrometer Data (40-second cycle time, five sample streams)

0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Analysis Number

80

90

100

110

120

130

Ammonia Production
Sulfur is removed from the hydrocarbon feed stream and subsequently
mixed with steam over a nickel-based catalyst in order to producehydrogen and CO. Elemental carbon formation is minimized to protect thecatalyst by maintaining the steam-to-carbon ratio above 3:1. Unreacted
methane, referred to as slippage, also needs to be controlled at a low
level in order to optimize the reformer performance. At the secondaryreformer, air is introduced at a controlled rate in order to produce a 3:1
hydrogen/nitrogen ratio. Oxygen from the air oxidizes most of the CO
into CO2 while steam is added to convert the remaining CO into CO2
and hydrogen. The bulk of the CO2 is removed in the absorber and thetrace amounts of carbon are converted catalytically into methane.
The converter feed gas is mixed with recycled gas and the H:N ratio isagain tightly controlled at the converter inlet in order to maximize theconversion efficiency into NH3. The buildup of inert gases (i.e., argon andhelium) that are included in the air feed needs to be monitored since thegases can become a significant dilutant if not periodically purged.

Prima PRO: Stable, Reliable
Online Gas Analysis• Best available accuracy for feed gas composition and calculated
heating value; reduces energy consumption due to the tight controlof the steam-to-carbon ratio (±0.01%)• Tight control of the hydrogen/nitrogen ratio (±0.003%) maximizes
product yield• Accurate measurement of methane slippage lowers production costs• High sample rate (10 to 12 streams in under two minutes) can resultin a 1 to 2% increase in product yield when compared to the control
provided by slower GCs or less stable MSs• Extremely low total cost of ownership• Rapid payback

Figure 11: Ammonia synthesis flow diagram
MS Potential Mass Spectrometer Sample Point
to CO2 AbsorberPrimary
Reformer

MS

MS

Secondary
Reformer
Natural Gas

CO Shift
Converter

Water
Separator

MS

Steam
Air
Fuel

MS

Water

MS

Purge

MS

Heat

CO2
Absorber

Cool

Methanator

NH3
Converter

Separator

Purification

MS

CO2

MS

MS

MS

AmmoniaEnsure Plant Safety and Increase Productivity.

Fugitive Emissions of Toxic VOCs
Wherever there is potential danger for fugitive emissions of toxic organic
vapors from a chemical production unit, regulating authorities often
require plants to keep records of ambient vapor concentrations to protect
workers from long-term exposure. Various forms of capture include
evacuated vessels (Summa canisters), organic vapor monitors, or purge
and trap devices. Captured samples then need to be sent to an
environmental laboratory for analysis. Alternatively, electrochemicalsensors can be used to immediately indicate the presence of a target
molecule at a concentration that exceeds a pre-determined level.
One quantitative alternative is to use open path FT-IR spectroscopy formeasuring the presence of specific VOCs along a fence line. The data
provided by these various technologies is often all that is needed to meet
local regulations. However, none of these technologies are capable ofproviding the spacial and temporal resolution required to qualify as
actionable information.

Sentinel PRO: Simple, Comprehensive
Data Collection
The Sentinel PRO environmental mass spectrometer is capable ofmonitoring 100 or more sample points, within 15 minutes, with speciesspecific detection in the 0.01 to 1 ppm range. With speed and precision,
it monitors all the critical areas for short-term exposure levels as wellas provides accurate eight-hour, time-weighted, average exposure data.
With a high number of available sample points, many can be locatedclose to potential leak points, such as valve stems, etc., enabling leakdetection and correction before any toxic hazard is created. Althoughpersonnel protection and environmental compliance are the primary
drivers for this type of installation, the result is often times a moreleak-tight and efficient chemical production unit.

Figure 12: Sample selection and enrichment

Precision Stepper Motor

Long-Life Sliding Seal
(10 million operations)
Air Filter
Selected sample to and from membrane
Sample Flow Measurement

Sample Stream Selector

Membrane Inlet

Air Gases
Atmospheric Pressure

Volatile Organic Compounds
0.0001 mbar

Sample From Multi-Stream Inlet

Tube Heater Connection
Ion Source
Connection

Sample Exhaust
Probe Heater
Connection

Sentinel PRO: Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry
A key to the success of the Sentinel PRO is the unique rapid multi-stream sampler (RMS), available
with 32 or 64 ports. It features a zero dead-volume design that allows fast flushing with zerocrossover effects. Each Sentinel PRO can be fitted with two RMS assemblies, allowing a single
system to replace a whole rack of less sensitive, discrete detectors. The RMS includes a sample
bypass design that permits a single flow detector to monitor each of the streams in turn. If a filter
becomes plugged or liquid blocks a sample tube, a system alarm sounds. The analyzer is fittedwith a membrane inlet to reduce the pressure of the sample air from atmospheric to the working
pressure of the Sentinel PRO’s enclosed ion source (typically 10-4 mbar). This membrane inlet
system allows a method of sample introduction that greatly enhances the system's sensitivity tovolatile organic compounds (VOC). For the majority of VOCs, sub ppm detection limits are routinely
achieved, ensuring the Sentinel PRO will accommodate future changes in legislation. Since themembrane is more permeable to VOCs than to major air gases, it can often provide enrichment byseveral orders of magnitude, including a benzene detection limit of <0.01 ppm. The Sentinel PRO’s
heated inlet probe assembly provides a stable, representative sample for introduction into the ion
source. In addition, the ergonomic design of the probe permits easy membrane replacement during
annual routine maintenance to minimize downtime and increase productivity.

Sentinel PRO: Species-Specific
Detection from 0.01 ppm to 1 ppm
AcetoneAcetonitrile
Acrylonitrile
BenzeneButadiene
Carbon Disulphide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloroform
Chlorobenzene
Cyclohexane
Dichloromethane
Dimethylacetemide (DMAC)
Dimethyl Formamide (DMF)

Thermo Scientific Sentinel PRO

1,4-Dioxane
Epichlorohydrin
Ethyl Benzene
Ethylene Oxide
FreonsHexamethyldisilizane
Hydrogen Cyanide
Methyl Bromide
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl Iodide
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Methyl Methacrylate
1-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidinone
Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE)
Propylene Oxide
Propan-2-Ol
Perchloroethylene
StyreneTetrahydrofuran
Tetrachloroethylene
TolueneTrichloroethylene
Vinyl Acetate
Vinyl Bromide
Vinyl Chloride
XyleneOptimize Plant Productivity.

Thermo Scientific GasWorks Software
The Thermo Scientific GasWorks software suite provides an intuitive, informationrich and flexible window into the operation of the Prima PRO and Sentinel PRO.
Produced in a certified ISO 9001 environment, GasWorks software is designed
for rapid installation and to facilitate ongoing operation while providing a secure,stable platform for process analytics. It is simple to configure, operate and maintainwithout the need for specialist mass spectrometry knowledge.
The suite includes a wide range of functions and features, allowing it to bematched exactly to the needs of the user. Whether the requirement is for simple
alarm indication in the event of a manufacturing process failure, or for complex
data presentation for process understanding and control, GasWorks is wellequipped to offer an effective solution. Regular updates ensure that the software
takes advantage of the latest technology as it becomes available.

World-Class Service & Support
Our service and support options are designed to ensure instrument optimization
and reduce downtime. Because every customer and every instrument has different
requirements, we offer a variety of services to meet your unique needs, including:• Service agreements• Spare parts• Technical support• Field installation and service• Product training.

Optimizing Plant Processes in Real TimeWe manufacture a wide range of process instrumentation designed to meet
the application-specific needs of the hydrocarbon industry, including:• Process mass spectrometers• Online gas analyzers• Ultrasonic and turbine liquid flowmeters• Gas and liquid density meters• Nuclear density and level gauges.
Our solutions have proven to enhance operational efficiency, ensure optimal productquality, maximize product yield and provide an ongoing return on investment.

Figure 13: GasWorks software sample display

Placeholder for a folded pocket with slits cut for the placement of a business card.
Size and proportions shown here are based on an existing dieline.

Process Mass Spectrometryin Hydrocarbon Processing© 2010 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. Results may vary under different operating conditions. Specifications, terms and pricing are subject to change.
Not all products are available in all countries. Please consult your local sales representative for details. Literature Code: PI.2077.0410

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