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Date: 7/27/2015 Time: DISTRIBUTION:

Project No.: 0317.02.029.032 Project Name: Steam Electric

Company: Aqua Metrology Systems (AMS)

Sunnyvale, CA

Contact: Rix Sistek

Phone No.: 602-370-1001

ERG Contact: Mary Willett

GENERAL SUBJECT: Selenium Analyzers

TOPICS DISCUSSED AND ACTION TAKEN

Selenium Analyzer Product:

Aqua Metrology Systems (AMS) offers a continuous online selenium analyzer which uses an electrochemical 

analysis technology from TraceDetect. The analyzer is called SafeGuard IIITM. The unit measures the selenite 

(+IV) oxidation state of selenium but when configured for total selenium analysis has a pre-mineralization step 

to take all forms of selenium in the sample to the selenate oxidation state and then reduces that to the selenite 

oxidation state for measurement. The unit draws a small sample and the analysis process takes about an hour 

with the unit capable of providing around 20 results per day.

Testing with FGD Wastewater:

The vendor has been working on their analyzer for use with FGD wastewaters since 2010. They have conducted 

testing on client sites (Duke plant in Indiana, and testing at Southern Research). These were long-term tests and 

they are currently performing testing now with their integrated unit (which includes a pre-processor and the 

SafeGuard IIITM analyzer). Mr. Sistek indicated that they are about to ship four systems to the Water Research 

Center, American Electric Power, and EPRI. Mr. Sistek was asked if they had any publicly available results 

from the testing conducted on FGD wastewater; he indicated that they had testing results in an IWC

presentation; however, review of that presentation does not show long-term selenium results from FGD 

wastewaters. The vendor did however also provide a technology paper which included FGD-specific analysis 

results. See file: Automated Selenium Analyzer.pdf. 

They also market the technology for selenium analysis in mining and drinking water applications.

Basis of the Technology:

The technology (pre-processor followed by the analyzer) mineralizes, oxidizes, and reduces the sample which is 

then measured using cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV).

Comparison of the analyzer to ICP-MS:

The vendor provided a paper which provides data showing a comparison of the AMS system results versus ICPMS for FGD wastewaters (both pre- and post-FGD wastewater treatment). See file: Automated Selenium 

Analyzer.pdf. The system literature indicates that the comparison of the analyzer to the laboratory method is 

good (within +/- 10%). Mr. Sistek indicated that for FGD wastewaters the analyzer can detect down to 5 ppb 
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and the maximum detection depends on the influent but would be several thousand ppb. Mr. Sistek indicated 

that the monitor is not impacted by chloride concentrations. When asked about TDS interferences, Mr. Sistek 

indicated that issue is addressed by their pre-processor which mineralizes the sample to take all forms of 

selenium in the sample to the selenate state and then reduces back to the selenite state for measurement.

Cost and Training Information:

For the online analyzer the system costs are:

Capital Costs: $50,000

Annual Costs: $5,950/yr (they provide a warranty service for 5 years that includes reagents used in the analyzer 

and technical support)

The system can be run by operator level personnel and requires only about an hour of training (to cover 

software use and how to download the data). Installation takes about 1 -2 days (including performance checks) 

and there is no separate installation cost other than long-distance travel.

Residuals from Analysis:

The system does use reagents though the waste amounts are small as each sample pulled for analysis is only 

about 20 – 30 ml in size. The unit includes a waste bottle as part of the system and the waste can be drained if 

neutralized (it is acidic in nature) or the waste could be added back into the treatment system flow.