3. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Panametrics Dew.IQ Analyzer Safeguards Aviator Breathing Gas Purity for Airlines

APPLICATION NOTE

Aviator breathing gas cylinders being handled on the airport apron

Panametrics Dew.IQ Analyzer Safeguards Aviator Breathing Gas Purity for Airlines

Summary

Airlines prioritize the safety and comfort of passengers by ensuring the Aviator Breathing Gas (ABG) supplied for every flight meets the highest purity and quality standards. That requires a robust system able to monitor and confirm the purity of the gas at multiple critical points across the supply chain.

Application

The application calls for continuous monitoring of oxygen purity and moisture content at three points: at the outlet of each charging station, at the filling cylinder rack, and in the final Aviator Breathing Gas cylinders used on board each flight.

Monitored points	Charging station outlets, filling cylinder rack, final ABG cylinders
Measured parameters	Oxygen purity (up to 100%) and moisture content
Moisture measurement capability	Below 1 ppm

Benefits:

Comprehensive quality control at every critical point in the supply chain
Enhanced safety – reliable moisture and oxygen analysis prevents corrosion and operational failures
Increased efficiency – one streamlined system reduces complexity and downtime

Rack of Aviator Breathing Gas filling cylinders

Challenge

The key challenge for airlines is maintaining consistent Aviator Breathing Gas quality across an entire fleet. Undetected moisture can lead to equipment corrosion and operational failures, potentially compromising passenger safety. Measuring at multiple points – the charging station outlets, the filling cylinder rack, and the final ABG cylinders – adds further complexity to the task.

Solution

The core of the solution combines a thermoparamagnetic analyzer for oxygen measurement with proven aluminum oxide technology for moisture, accurately monitoring all three critical points along the gas supply chain. Panametrics supplies an integrated analyzer system with sampling capability and isolation valves for each stream, simplifying operation and reducing potential points of failure. The Panametrics XMO2pro oxygen analyzer measures the purity of the bottled gas up to 100%, and its field-calibration capability keeps it accurate over the long term. The dew.IQ analyzer together with the IQ.probe sensor accurately measures moisture concentrations below 1 part per million, with annual calibration maintaining accuracy over the sensor’s lifetime.

Panametrics IQ.probe aluminum oxide moisture sensor

Single-channel moisture analyzer Panametrics Dew.IQ

Datasheet (PDF) Panametrics Dew.IQ

Panametrics XMO2pro Oxygen Analyzer

Datasheet (PDF) Panametrics XMO2pro

Source: Panametrics Application Note PANA012AN (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and adapted by INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative in the Slovak Republic and Hungary.

3. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Panametrics Aurora RM TDLAS Analyzer Ensures Reliable Moisture Control in Hydrogen Annealing Furnaces

APPLICATION NOTE

Panametrics Aurora RM TDLAS Analyzer Ensures Reliable Moisture Control in Hydrogen Annealing Furnaces

Summary

Annealing heats steel to a very high temperature so that bonds weakened during rolling can reform, strengthening the overall structure of the metal. A high-thermal-conductivity hydrogen atmosphere is used inside the oven to help retain this heat, and moisture in that atmosphere is continuously measured to safeguard product quality. High moisture content in the hydrogen-rich furnace gas causes oxidation of the steel surface, resulting in an undesirable finish.

Application

In the past, electrolytic-type moisture cells proved unreliable in this application because of a recombination effect in the hydrogen atmosphere, which disturbs the water/hydrogen/oxygen reaction the cells rely on and produces ambiguous readings. Modern aluminum oxide and TDLAS sensors avoid this problem entirely.

Dew point range	-85 to -50 °C (-121 to -58 °F)
Operating temperature	538 to 1371 °C (1000 to 2500 °F)
Operating pressure	45 psig (412 kPa)

Benefits:

Maintenance-free, non-contact TDLAS measurement
Immune to the hydrogen recombination effect that limits electrolytic cells
Fastest speed of response among trace moisture technologies
Rated for the extreme temperature and pressure of furnace hot-zone gas

Challenge

Any moisture analyzer used on hydrogen annealing furnaces must withstand hot-zone gas temperatures that can reach 1371 °C (2500 °F) and pressures around 45 psig, while still delivering a fast, drift-free reading. Electrolytic-type cells, the traditional choice, are prone to unreliable, ambiguous results in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, and their upkeep adds unplanned maintenance to an already demanding production line.

Solution

An aluminum oxide sensor is typically mounted in a properly designed sample system that continuously monitors the moisture content of the furnace hot-zone or effluent gas; the feed gas to the furnace is monitored in some installations as well. As the gas travels through stainless-steel sample lines it naturally cools to below 50 °C (120 °F) before reaching the sample cell. Panametrics draws on decades of experience pairing its aluminum oxide moisture analyzers with a properly designed sample system that removes sub-micron particulate fines. For the fastest speed of response and maintenance-free operation, the Aurora RM – using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy in a 19″ rack-mount enclosure – is the ideal choice.

Panametrics Aurora RM TDLAS moisture analyzer

Process TDLAS moisture analyzer Panametrics Aurora RM

Datasheet (PDF) Panametrics Aurora RM

Source: Panametrics Application Note PANA100AN (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and adapted by INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative in the Slovak Republic and Hungary.

3. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Panametrics Aurora TDLAS Analyzer Ensures Accurate Moisture Control in Refinery Recycle Gas

APPLICATION NOTE

Panametrics Aurora TDLAS Analyzer Ensures Accurate Moisture Control in Refinery Recycle Gas

Summary

Catalytic reforming converts low-octane heavy naphtha into high-octane reformate for gasoline production. Dried naphtha feedstock passes through a reactor containing a platinum catalyst bed at high temperature and pressure, and the unconverted recycle gas is returned to the reactor to increase conversion. Moisture content in this recycle gas stream must be tightly controlled – typically between 10 and 25 ppmv – to keep the catalyst active without accelerating corrosion.

Application

The catalyst is activated by injecting chlorides together with a controlled amount of moisture. Too much moisture forms hydrochloric acid, corroding metal infrastructure and shortening catalyst life; too little moisture deactivates the catalyst. Continuous moisture measurement of the recycle gas keeps the feed dryers working efficiently and the moisture injection rate correct.

Medium	Hydrogen-rich recycle gas (catalytic reformer)
Optimal moisture range	10 – 25 ppmv
Moisture range on startup	0 – 1 000 ppmv
Moisture range – normal operation	0 – 50 ppmv

Benefits:

Rapid response to moisture changes, typically within seconds
No drift in calibration – no need for recalibration, lower maintenance
Non-contact measurement – no wear from HCl or other contaminants
Integral sample system minimizes interference from other process components

Panametrics Aurora TDLAS moisture analyzer

Challenge

Moisture in hydrogen recycle gas has traditionally been monitored using Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) or Aluminum Oxide sensors. Aluminum Oxide probes can be damaged during start-up or upset conditions when high moisture and corrosive gases occur together, requiring spare probes and annual calibration – the resulting OPEX can offset the low initial CAPEX. QCM analyzers include on-board calibration to keep readings accurate, but the high CAPEX, plus the OPEX of maintaining the purifier and permeation tube and the cost of replacing damaged sensors, add up over time.

Solution

The Panametrics Aurora analyzer uses tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) to measure moisture in refinery recycle gas accurately and reliably. Certified for hazardous areas, its stainless-steel construction and inert wetted parts make it immune to drift and resistant to contaminants. A built-in sample conditioning system means no pre-conditioning is required – simply connect the process gas and start measuring. A backlit, three-parameter LCD provides a direct readout of the measured values plus system status, with hard-wired mA outputs and MODBUS digital communication for integration into the plant control system.

Process TDLAS moisture analyzer Panametrics Aurora

Datasheet (PDF) Panametrics Aurora

Source: Panametrics Application Note PANA138AN (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and adapted by INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative in the Slovak Republic and Hungary.

2. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Portable Moisture Measurement Ensures Safe and Efficient Operation of LNG Plants

APPLICATION NOTE

LNG carrier ship loading liquefied natural gas

Portable Moisture Measurement Ensures Safe and Efficient Operation of LNG Plants

Summary

The LNG value chain — extraction and pre-treatment, transport to a processing facility, liquefaction, and distribution to end users — depends on tight moisture control at every stage. Excess moisture corrodes pipelines, damages compressors and cryogenic heat exchangers, and threatens product quality. A portable aluminum oxide moisture analyzer gives plant staff a practical way to check moisture levels throughout the process, especially during start-ups and maintenance.

Application

Portable analyzers are used to check online instruments and take spot measurements during normal operation and start-ups. Key measurement points across the LNG value chain include:

Extraction & Drying	TEG (triethylene glycol) contactors at onshore and offshore platforms
Processing	Fuel gas dryers and LNG molecular sieve dryer bed outlets
Purging	Nitrogen purging of the metal infrastructure to remove ambient moisture
Transportation	Metering skids monitoring moisture levels during transport
Utilities	Instrument air, nitrogen and other utility gases

Benefits:

Improved start-up efficiency
Enhanced equipment protection
Accurate and reliable measurement

Panametrics PM880 portable moisture analyzer

Challenge

LNG plants must keep moisture under tight control even though conditions are demanding. Moisture levels vary during start-up sequences and after maintenance, and excess moisture accelerates corrosion and damages equipment, driving up maintenance and repair costs. Measuring accurately is itself a challenge in the extreme temperatures and pressures typical of LNG service. Left unchecked, moisture can freeze in the cryogenic section of the plant, causing hydrate formation, flow blockages and higher energy consumption. Because of this, start-up nitrogen purging of the LNG train’s metal infrastructure has to run long enough to remove residual moisture and keep wet gas out of the cryogenic section — but running it longer than necessary costs valuable production time.

Solution

Panametrics PM880 portable aluminum oxide analyzers measure moisture content at various points across the LNG value chain, particularly during start-ups and maintenance, directly at line pressure — so operators see actual process conditions rather than lab estimates. During nitrogen purging, the PM880 is used to confirm in real time when moisture has dropped below approximately 10 ppm, the threshold at which the purge can be considered complete and the LNG process safely started. The analyzer is built to withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures typical of LNG plants and reports moisture as water dew point or in parts per million (ppmv).

LNG value chain from natural gas pipeline to LNG tanker

Panametrics PM880 Portable Moisture Analyzer

Datasheet (PDF) Panametrics PM880

Source: Panametrics Application Note PANA004AN (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and prepared by INTECH CONTROL, the official Panametrics representative in Slovakia and Hungary.