#58 - Shiny object syndrome

At Nova, we’re always looking to show each other how erudite yet how cleverly humorous we are. (Obviously these are short conversations.) We recently articulated a behavior that we call ‘shiny object syndrome’. The term is not yet fully entrenched in the Nova lexicon, but there are some accepted usages in current circulation.

The term generally refers to behavior that is an outward manifestation of ‘disconfirmation bias’. We discussed that in a previous post. There we learned that disconfirmation bias is “the tendency to accept supportive evidence of a belief uncritically, but to actively refute or discount evidence that challenges that belief.” Shiny object syndrome can be thought of as a symptom of disconfirmation bias.

How so? Well, there are a few ways.

1. Sometimes in an effort to discount evidence that challenges our belief, we may allow ourselves, and also encourage our listeners to become unduly distracted and enamored by other unrelated details. We may make a great issue of an otherwise unimportant thing. Those other details are like a ‘shiny object’ that distracts attention from the real issues.
2. Sometimes it’s more serious. Sometimes we are trying to distract others from seeing our own failures. Politicians have perfected the art of deflecting attention from their own questionable activities. But this may happen to a lesser degree in manufacturing environments when the consequences of ill-fated designs need to be minimized to save face. Being ‘penny-wise, pound-foolish’ is often at the root of these situations.
3. We can actually use shiny object syndrome to our advantage when presenting an important proposal to someone with chronic disconfirmation bias disorder. We may distract the sufferer from attempting to refute legitimate evidence by giving them a shiny object to focus on.
4. In sales situations, the figurative shiny object may be used by a salesperson to distract the buyer from asking difficult questions about the item for sale. In some cases, the shiny object is actually the item for sale.

There are probably other manifestations of shiny object syndrome that we have not cataloged yet. But now that the phenomenon is documented, other examples are likely to surface.

When not on the lookout for behavioral disorders, we make gas analyzers for oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, and many other gases.

Give Mike or Dave at Nova a call, or send us an e-mail.
1-800-295-3771
sales at nova-gas dot com
websales at nova-gas dot com
www.nova-gas.com
http://www.tenovagroup.com/
If you have a LinkedIn account, search for Nova Analytical Systems under Companies and follow us if you want.

I recently stumbled across another interesting mention of shiny object syndrome here. Point #3 in the article mentions it in connection with social marketing.

Photo modified from © 2008 Tack-O-Rama Collection

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#57 - Calibration Procedure for NOVA Model 380

The Nova Model 380 Tri-Gas Analyzer for hydrogen-cooled power generators has been mentioned in this blog before. (http://nova-gas.blogspot.ca/2011/12/45-portable-hydrogen-purity-analysis.html)

This analyzer has three analysis ranges:

Range 1 - Measures Hydrogen in Air from 0-100%.  Normally used to monitor hydrogen purity from 90-100%. 

Range 2 - Measures Hydrogen in CO2.  For use when the generator is being purged with CO2 as a blanketing gas, or when the hydrogen is refilling the generator after a shutdown. 

Range 3 - Measures Air in CO2. For use when air is displacing the CO2 blanketing gas prior to opening up the generator or when CO2 is displacing air prior to refilling the generator with hydrogen.

Calibration

We occasionally get requests to post the calibration procedure for these instruments. Because it is a simple process, it can easily be described in a blog post. So here goes:

• Range 1 - H2 in Air

1. The 380WP should be calibrated at least once a month and also checked on pure hydrogen prior to checking hydrogen purity in Range 1.
2. Using the range switch, select Range 1.  With the pump switched on, allow approximately 1 LPM of air to flow through the analyzer.  Adjust the 'AIR REF ZERO' knob located on the right side of the analyzer until the reading is zero.
3. Next, turn the pump off and allow 1 LPM of 100% hydrogen to flow through the analyzer.  Remove the top cover and adjust the top panel ‘1 H2 IN AIR SPAN’ potentiometer (pot) until the reading is 100.

• Range 3 - Air in CO2

1. Select Range 3.  With the pump off, allow 1 LPM of 100% CO2 to flow through the analyzer.
2. Adjust the knob marked 'CO2 REF ZERO' located on the right side of the analyzer until the reading is zero.
3. With the pump on, flow 1 LPM of air through the analyzer.
4. Adjust the top panel pot marked ‘3. AIR IN CO2 SPAN’ until the reading is 100.

• Range 2 - H2 in CO2

1. Select Range 2.  The zero is shared with Range 3, so it will not have to be set up again in Range 2.
2. With the pump off, allow 1 LPM of 100% hydrogen to flow through the analyzer.
3. If the reading is not 100, adjust the top panel pot marked ‘2. H2 IN CO2 SPAN' until the reading is 100.

Calibration is now complete.

Notes

For calibration, main plant sources of H2 and CO2 may be used, or two high pressure cylinders with 0-30 PSI pressure regulators. These cylinders should contain the following gases:

• 100% H2 for Range 1 and 2 span calibration.
• 100% CO2 for Range 2 and 3 zero calibration.
• Note: Range 1 will zero on air and Range 3 will span on air.

Gas cylinders can usually be purchased from a specialty gas or welding gas supplier. The gas cylinder pressures should be regulated down to approx. 2-5 PSI (14-35 kPa) and have a flow control valve to meter the gas flow into the analyzer. Flow through the analyzer should be approximately 1 LPM.

The Nova Model 380 Tri-Gas Analyzer is being used for hydrogen-cooled power generators all around the world. Maintenance staff at power utilities love the 380 because it’s quick and easy to use.

We’re Nova. We make gas analyzers for carbon dioxide, hydrogen, air, and other gases.

For information on gas analyzer systems, give Mike or Dave at Nova a call, or send us an e-mail.
1-800-295-3771
sales at nova-gas dot com
websales at nova-gas dot com
http://www.nova-gas.com/
http://www.tenovagroup.com/

If you have a LinkedIn account, search for Nova Analytical Systems under Companies and follow us if you want.

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#56 - Generic vs Brand-name terminology – Part 3

We have been talking lately about industry terminology. So without further ado, here are some terms that we use in our industry and what they mean to us: 

• Gas analysis system – this generally refers to the complete system of gas analysis and may include the probe, filter, sample line, gas conditioning system, analyzer, and other related components.
• Probe – this is the portion the gas analysis system that pokes into the process to take a gas sample. (Some systems have a filter and a gas sensor mounted in a probe. See ‘in-situ probes’.)
• Filter – there is frequently a filter somewhere near the probe that removes particulate from the sample while it is still close to the original temperature.
• Sample line – is the tube through which the sample flows to the analyzer.
• Gas conditioning system – are the components or systems that remove or mitigate undesirable constituents from the gas sample such as excess moisture, excess temperature, corrosive gases, analytical interferences, etc. These systems may be internal or external to the gas analyzer.
• Gas analyzer – basically the analyzer is the instrument that measures and displays a reading pertaining to the gas of interest.
• Gas analyser – same as gas analyzer, just regional difference in the spelling. Both are valid and I have enabled both spellings in the spell-check function on my computer (this is to show peaceful solidarity with all regions; hey, I’m an activist now! that was easy.).
• Detector / sensor – technically these two items are subtly different, but we basically regard both of them as the part of a gas analyzer that ‘sees’ the gas. The output of the sensor or detector is what is translated into a meaningful gas reading on the gas analyzer.
• Extractive systems – generally refer to the types of systems that extract a gas sample from the process and send (or pull) it to a gas analyser for analysis.
• In situ systems – generally refer to systems in which the analysis is done in a probe at the process. No gas is extracted.
• Process analysis – to us this refers to analyses of gas that is inside of and internal to the customer’s process.
• Ambient analysis / monitoring – analysis of gas in ambient (usually breathable) air. This condition implies different pressures, temperatures, and gas ranges than what is associated with enclosed processes.
• Portable analyzer – meaning self-explanatory, except that it also implies that the analysis will be temporary. This is because there is usually little or no sample conditioning components built-into the instrument.
• Permanent-mount analyzer – meaning self-explanatory, except that it also implies a larger and more complete system that can do continuous gas analysis indefinitely.
• Continuous analyzer – same as permanent-mount analyzer
• On-line / in-line analyzer – same as permanent-mount analyzer
• SOx – short-form that usually stands for ‘oxides of sulfur’. For many gas analysis applications, the most relevant oxide of sulfur is SO2 (sulfur dioxide).
• NOx - short-form that usually stands for ‘oxides of nitrogen’. For many gas analysis applications, the most relevant oxides of nitrogen are NO (nitrogen oxide) & NO2 (nitrogen dioxide). Of the two, NO is usually present in a much higher proportion. Therefore, NOx may sometimes be analyzed as NO only.
• NOx and SOx – no real definition here beyond what is said above; but we do receive many written and verbal inquiries for analysis of NOx & SOx where the customer does not state which oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are required. We are starting to think that the expression ‘NOx & SOx’ is over-used almost to the point of irrelevance.

There are many other words in the Nova lexicon of course. But these are frequently-used terms that sometimes require clarification with our customers. Notice that I didn’t say ‘misunderstood by our customers’. The terms defined above are how we at Nova use and understand them. Our customers may have their own usages. It matters not who is ‘right’. We simply need to take the time to come to a common understanding of terminology and proceed from there.

Use whatever terms you like – just explain them and be clear on what you are talking about. We will try to do the same.

We’re Nova. We make gas analyzers for oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, and other gases.
Give Mike or Dave at Nova a call, or send us an e-mail.
1-800-295-3771
sales at nova-gas dot com
websales at nova-gas dot com
www.nova-gas.com
http://www.tenovagroup.com/
If you have a LinkedIn account, search for Nova Analytical Systems under Companies and follow us if you want.

Photo modified from © 2008 Tack-O-Rama Collection
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