In June 2017, Nova Analytical Systems received an order from Ametek Reading Alloys for six DuraNOVA Continuous Process Oxygen Gas Analyzers. Ametek Reading Alloys produces specialty powdered metals, particularly those with a titanium base. In October 2017, these six units were commissioned by NOVA field service engineers.
The objective for Ametek using DuraNOVA continuous offgas analysis was twofold: first, validation that the milled powder drum was installed and sealed properly and second, that the system was sufficiently purged of oxygen to allow the milling process to start. There was a need to continuously measure for the presence of O2 in the inert environment created by the Argon. To accomplish this, a DuraNOVA Model 810N4 analyzer was installed on each of the six milling cells in the plant. The analyzer O2 control alarm was connected to an interlock that controlled the mill and vibrating table. In this way, the cell could not be energized until the measured O2 level in the Argon atmosphere was below the analyzer alarm setting.
The DuraNOVA continuous gas analyzer was selected for its simplicity to use, flexibility and overall ruggedness to accurately measure low oxygen concentrations in a very high dust load environment.
