Electricity + Control June 2018

Accurate real-time gas level monitoring As the South African distributors for Norwegian company, Neo Monitors, RTS Africa offers a reliable and robust method of measuring the concentration of a single gas present in a mix of a number of other gases and dust. This capability is almost im- possible with conventional gas-measuring technologies, which use probes inserted into the gas stream. Neo Monitors LaserGas analysers use a laser beam which is transmitted through the gas in the flue or duct. The wavelength of the analyser is tuned to recognise a specific gas and to ignore all others, thereby eliminating cross-interference from other gases, dust or water vapour. The advantage of this instrument is that the electronics are mounted on the outside of the flue or duct and thus are not affected by the heat or corrosive qualities of the gas stream. LaserGas analysers can operate successfully in temperatures as high as 1500°C and will deliver accurate readings even with 90% signal attenuation. Highly reliable LaserGas analysers have application in a di- verse range of industries including petrochemicals, steel pro- duction, power generation and cement manufacture among many others. Most conventional industrial gases as well as dust and water vapour can be monitored with one of Neo Monitors’ analyser models. Neo Monitors LaserGas analysers are based on tunable di- ode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), a technology which has gained wide acceptance in the industrial analyser market place in recent years. Their exceptional performance, selectivi- ty, fast response-time and ability to measure selected gas com- ponents directly in the process stream offer unique advantages to the process engineer. More recently in industry, there has been requirement for in-situ, real-time multi-component gas monitoring. In 2016, NEO Monitors research division developed the LaserGas™ iQ², which allows for the measurement of four gases (O 2 , CO, CH 4 , H 2 O) and temperature with just one device. This cutting-edge instrument delivers vast benefits and reduced cost for industries requiring the most accurate analysis of processes. This capability will be of particular application in combustion control where the simultaneous monitoring of oxygen and car- bon monoxide concentrations is essential to optimise combus- tion efficiencies.

Launching a remote actuation unit With the introduction of renewable energy into the main stream market and the drive for higher data performance of systems, companies are looking to exploit the enabling possibilities of DC power. These developments in technology and increased DC power usage require dedicated DC protection equipment. CBI-electric’s established team of design engineers have de-

veloped a com- prehensive range of DC miniature circuit break- ers (MCBs), DC moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) as well as a variety of accessories suit- able for providing protection of DC systems. The lat- est addition to the DC range is the newly launched remote actuation unit (RAU). This is a factory-fitted module that en- ables automated switching of the CBI DD-frame circuit breaker.

Andrew Joannou, product development engineer at CBI-elec- tric: low voltage, states: “Often a circuit breaker is installed in distant, inaccessible, inconvenient or unsafe environments. The RAU solves this problem by allowing the user to control the state of the breaker from a safe and convenient distance”. The user is able to specify the operation mode of the RAU to either remote or manual. Andrew adds, “The manual operation condition over- rides the remote signal, allowing the RAU to be safely operated manually during maintenance or installation”. When the RAU is in remote mode, the user can signal the RAU to internally actuate the circuit breaker both ON and OFF. The unit has two indicators, namely an LED that provides an indication of the mode of operation (remote or manual) and operational status. The second is a colour indicator which shows the position of the latching mechanism of the connected circuit breaker – green for OFF and red for ON. The RAU is well suited for various applications such as the bat- tery management sector, system automation, telecommunica- tions, railways and solar, or any installation where switching oper- ations are in inconvenient, inaccessible or unsafe environments. The RAU is fully tested and has the VDE marks approval. With this addition to the DC portfolio of new products, CBI increases an already strong position internationally as an equipment protec- tion supplier to the telecommunications, rail and solar industries. Enquiries: Aletta Olivier. Email aletta.olivier@cbi-electric.com

Whether there is a need to monitor the level of the single gas or multiple gases in a gas flow, Neo Monitors LaserGas analysers are able to

make a vital contribution to both improved, more cost-effec- tive and efficient production processes; and to a cleaner environment by limiting the effects of dust and chemical contamination. Enquiries: Tel. +27 (0) 12 433 6335 or visit www.rtsafrica.co.za

20 Electricity + Control

JUNE 2018