#100 - 100 Posts

We started this blog about a year & a half ago. Initially, it did not seem possible that there would be enough to talk about to sustain the blog for any length of time. Our company just did not seem exciting enough to write anything about. But here we are at 100 posts later and the ideas are still coming.

It seems that corporate blogging is somewhat of an art. Here are some notes / ideas about blogging that we have noticed in our own experience over the last year:

• Be patient – genuine readership takes a while to build, and is built on content. We haven’t actively sought out ‘followers’ or ‘friended’ anyone. But, we have kept an eye on how many readers we have had. We can also look at web-tracking software to see how many are being directed to our website via the blog. However, we don’t evaluate the blog solely on what it does for our website. The blog is also a standalone document that gets our name and our work out there onto the search engines.
• Be committed to it – post regularly (weekly is good, preferably on the same day and in the mornings) and avoid missing posts; if one person can’t keep up, have a couple people working on it; try to build up a back-log of material to provide flexibility on busy weeks.
• Knowledgeable oversight – the blog writer or manager should have a decent grasp of the company’s operations, area of experience & expertise, and connection to markets.
• Be relevant – the general content should be reasonably relevant to your company’s area of expertise; or at least have some connection to an aspect of your company.
• Have variety - not all content needs to be directly relevant to what your company is actually selling; comment on what is happening in your industry, in your neighborhood(s), to your customers, in your company; and for variety, the occasional post can have nothing to do with your company.
• Be human – blog should be written in an engaging way that is readable by anyone.
• Be observant – some of your posts will attain a higher readership than others; try to figure out why, and allow that information to influence what you write, or even what markets your company targets in the future.
• Have visuals – try to add pictures to go along with your words, visuals add interest, information, and humanity to your blog.
• Send your posts out through a few channels such as LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. Careful about over-doing it though. It is our own opinion that slow and steady wins real readers.

Interestingly, here are some Nova blog posts in terms of percentage of reader visits:

#70 - Post #5 is our most popular blog post (Syngas and Gasification) – 7.1 %

http://nova-gas.blogspot.com/2012/08/70-post-5-is-our-most-popular-blog-post.html

#53 - What is CONSTEEL? – 1.6 %

http://nova-gas.blogspot.com/2012/03/53-what-is-consteel.html

#102 - Triple Point Analysis of Biogas at Palm Oil Facility - 1.5%

http://nova-gas.blogspot.ca/2013/02/102-triple-point-analysis-of-biogas-at.html

Recent posts that have gained popularity in the last month or so:

#95 - Multi-Point Conditioning Systems for Mass Spectroscopy in DRI Plants

http://nova-gas.blogspot.ca/2012/12/95-multi-point-conditioning-systems-for.html

#96 - Pictures of Extreme Cold Weather Analyzer Package

http://nova-gas.blogspot.ca/2012/12/96-pictures-of-extreme-cold-weather.html

#123 - Borehole and soil gas analysis

http://nova-gas.blogspot.ca/2013/05/123-borehole-and-soil-gas-analysis.html

Couple things that the above data tells us:

• Steel-making and gasification should be industries that we remain committed to in terms of market, products, support, and contacts.

  

We will keep writing. Hopefully, people will keep visiting.

Best regards,

Dave @ Nova

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/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

#99 - Beijing Air Index Goes Off Scale

I recently noticed a couple of blog posts about high air pollution levels in Beijing, China on the Chem.info website.*

Recent photos from Beijing, China.

Discussions of air pollution and urban smog often include references to PM-2.5 and PM-10. These terms refer to the size of particulate matter that is entrained in the breathable atmosphere. The numbers in the ‘PM-‘ expressions refer to particle size in micrometers.

Basic particulate size categories

The implications of the distinction between PM-10 and PM-2.5 are significant. The PM-10 particle is sufficiently small to move past the natural defenses in the human breathing system and accumulate in our lungs. The PM-2.5 particle is sufficiently small to diffuse from the lungs directly into the bloodstream.

Smog is a complex mixture of constituents from
a variety of sources.

To evaluate the profusion of particulate matter, environmental authorities use automatic air samplers. These instruments collect air samples at very specific and constant air flows. Unwanted particulates above the target size are removed by filters, baffles, and very specific air flow designs within the sampler. The remaining particles impinge on a removable filter element which can be gravimetrically analyzed to determine particulate profusion. A few different styles are shown below.

a) Dichotomous sampler - separates and captures PM-2.5 and PM-10
b) Size-Selective Inlet sampler -  can capture PM-2.5 or PM-10
c) High Volume sampler - can capture PM-44 and less

Smog is obviously not a problem unique to Beijing only. Daily air quality reports are available in various countries to provide the public with air quality information. For example, here are the internet-based air quality reporting tools for USA and Canada. The Chinese government has recently implemented air quality reports that are updated hourly.

At Nova, we don’t manufacture particulate samplers. However, industrial gas analyzers are frequently used to help control air pollution at the sources. For example, an out-of-tune combustion process may produce more particulate matter due to improper fuel ratios or combustion conditions. The exhaust gases can be used to determine combustion efficiency which can then be improved if needed. Steel-making processes, such as electric arc furnaces, can also be optimized and environmentally improved by using gas analysis. The Tenova EFSOP process is an industry-leading example of this.

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/
https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS
http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-
http://www.tenovagroup.com/

* Chem.info Article 1, Article 2

Pictures:
Dichotomous sampler - http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/programs/old/partisol/partisol.html

High volume sampler - http://www.esperanceport.com.au/envmon.asp

Size-selective sampler - http://www.hi-q.net/products/outdoor-high-volume-air-samplers/pm-10-series-high-volume-air-samplers/default.html

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#98 - Alberto Iperti New CEO of Tenova

Milan, January 2, 2013 – Alberto Iperti has been appointed chief executive officier of Tenova.

Mr. Iperti is 48 years old and is an electrical engineer graduated from Politecnico di Milano. He started his career working for various important consulting firms. In 2000, he entered the Techint Group, first as Planning Director of TenarisDalmine in Italy, and then as Managing Director of Exiros in Argentina, the procurement company of the Techint Group’s Steel Area. From 2005 on, he held the office of Tenaris Global Planning Director in Argentina as well.

 

In order to join Tenova he has left the role of Managing Director of Tenaris Canada, a position he has held since 2006. Tenaris is the leading supplier of tubes and related services for the world’s energy industry. Tenaris is part of the Techint Group and today includes 1,500 employees. During the last years Iperti has capably led the company, creating growth and expanding the business.

 

During his stay in Canada, Iperti was also elected Vice Chairman of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, and he was an executive member of the board of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

 

Alberto Iperti succeeds Gianluigi Nova who will continue his collaboration with the Tenova Board.

 

Tenova is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products and engineering services for the iron, steel, and mining industries providing innovative, integrated solutions for complete process areas. Tenova's network companies operate in 26 countries on 5 continents with more than 4,600 people.

 

http://www.tenaris.com/en/default.aspx

http://www.techint.com/default.aspx

http://canadiansteel.ca/

 

http://www.nova-gas.com/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

 

 

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#97 - Pictures of DRI Reactor made by HYL for NUCOR STEEL in Louisiana, USA

In February 2011, Nucor Corporation, the premiere steel producer in the United States, signed a contract with Tenova HYL for the world’s largest single DR (Direct Reduction) module ever to be constructed.

Here is the original press release from the Tenova website.

This plant will produce 2.5 million tons per year of highly metalized, high carbon DRI (direct reduced iron) to Nucor steel plants. In terms of gas emissions behavior, this plant complies with the strictest EPA regulations for NOx and SOx output.* The HYL DRI plants also allow for selective capture of the CO2 in the exhaust gas. The CO2 can be sold as a valuable by-product.

Below are some pictures of the reactor as it makes its way from a barge to the site, then into the supporting structure.

By visually comparing the various vehicles, people, and other items around the reactor, you can get an idea of its immense size.













In a previous post, we discussed acquisition and analysis of various gas samples in and around this process. In a future post, we will discuss the gas analysis requirements of the storage silos that receive the product generated by the reactor.

HYL is a member of the Tenova Group. HYL actively develops projects for direct reduction plants worldwide under the Energiron brand name. They started up the world's first successful direct reduction plant in 1957. Over 40 DR modules have been supplied worldwide since then.

http://www.tenovagroup.com/companies_hyl.php?id_company=2

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/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

Photos taken by Tenova staff.

* NOx usually refers to NO (nitrogen oxide) and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide); SOx usually refers to SO2 (sulfur dioxide).

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#96 - Pictures of Extreme Cold Weather Analyzer Package

Outside Nova facility after
Dec 27, 2012 snowfall.

Last night’s snow storm that hit the North-Eastern US / Toronto / Niagara regions reminds me of our ‘extreme cold weather package’.

 

Gas analyzers and many other scientific instruments usually do not like the cold. If a gas sample has condensable moisture in it, there is a possibility of ice build-up in the wetted sample train. The electronics, valves, and detectors all prefer to function at approximately room-temperature or slightly higher.

 

Periodically, we have had requests from companies who are operating outdoors in the cold northern areas of North America and Europe. To cope with this reality, we came up with our Cold Weather Package a few years ago. The package includes a durable outdoor cabinet with a windowed door, cabinet insulation, and internal heaters. We generally specify this design for outdoor temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). We recommend that the analyzer be sheltered from the wind and sun. This will help stabilize the cabinet temperature and reduce temperature swings.

 

Every once in a while, we have customers who want to operate in even colder temperatures. We meet these requests by installing our ‘Extreme Cold Weather Package’. This package also has an outdoor cabinet, insulation, and heaters. We just add more of everything. The cabinet door is modified to replace the large window with a smaller window and insulation. We generally specify this design for outdoor temperatures as low as -32°C (-25°F). However, we have seen some of these packages installed on sites as low as -40°C (-40°F). We’re not sure how well these units are working. For some reason, no one ever wants to go outside and check on them when it gets that cold!

 

One thing that is really important on cold sites is heat-traced tubing. The input sample line, vent line, and drain lines should all be heat-traced to prevent ice build-up. Obviously, ice build-up in the lines will cause low flow conditions and other problems.

 

Pictured below is a cold weather unit that we sent recently to a Canadian site in Terrebonne, Quebec.

 

'Extreme Cold Weather Package' protects analyzer
from cold outdoor temperatures.



Gas analyzer display is still visible with cold
weather cabinet modifications.

 

Cold weather operation brings challenges. No doubt about that. However, we can manage those challenges by adding heat and insulation to the design.

 

For information on these and other 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/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

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#95 - Multi-Point Conditioning Systems for Mass Spectroscopy in DRI Plants

One of the unique projects we have worked on this year has been the development of conditioning systems for mass spectrometers at steel plants. The specific application is DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) plants, where iron ore is directly reduced to iron without the typical processes involving blast furnaces, coke ovens, basic oxygen furnaces, and other support plants. The DRI product can be used in electric arc furnaces (EAF) as a flexible additive to provide additional control over the end product or where the price and availability of scrap metal requires it.



DRI plants are quite large. The DRI product is fed into
bins which are positioned to feed directly into electric arc furnaces.

Mass spectroscopy is used by some steel makers to obtain analysis of their process gases. The main advantage of this technique is that it is versatile in terms of analytical capability. Numerous types of gases may be measured by a mass spectrometer.

Two challenges in coupling mass spectroscopy and steel processes such as DRI are the location and condition of the gas samples. Steel plants are usually sprawling industrial complexes with distances to some sample points being more than 250m (820ft). The condition of the sample is frequently hot, dusty, and under high pressure. For best analysis, the sample should be left intact, while managing the unwanted conditions.

Our solution to this dilemma has been to establish a primary conditioning system and a secondary conditioning system.

Primary Conditioning System

The initial task is to extract the sample while regulating it to a manageable pressure. Next, the sample needs to be filtered to remove particulate while it is still near the process temperature. A probe, flange-mounted isolation valve, and heated filter will accomplish these tasks.

Most projects have multiple sample points throughout the plant that require analysis. A primary conditioning cabinet needs to be mounted at each sample point.

Each sample line running from the primary conditioning cabinets needs to be maintained at a temperature above the dew point of the sample.

Secondary Conditioning System

The various sample streams must be collected, finish filtered, and distributed to the mass spectrometer. The entire cabinet and each sample line running to the mass spectrometer must be heated & temperature controlled. Each sample stream must have individual flow control and be alarmed for Low Flow condition.

In many cases, the entire system must be suitable for hazardous rated areas. Some systems must have provision to have each sample stream shut off in the event of a shelter atmosphere alarm.

The system configuration we have developed is designed for 8 simultaneous sample streams. We can accommodate more streams by adding cabinets as needed. The highest number of streams we have worked on so far is 13.

 

CUSTOMER: Al Nasser Industrial Enterprises

PLANT LOCATION: Abu Dhabi, UAE

 

Cooperating with us is HYL, a partner of Nova’s in the Tenova Group. HYL actively develops projects for direct reduction plants worldwide under the Energiron brand name. They started up the world's first successful direct reduction plant in 1957. Over 40 DR modules have been supplied worldwide since then.

 

 

 

http://www.tenovagroup.com/companies_hyl.php?id_company=2

 

For information on these and other 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/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

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#92 - Metamerism – Part 2

Last time, the topic of metamerism as related to the coatings industry was discussed. We don’t really have any issues with metamerism in manufacturing gas analyzers, but the whole idea reminded me of some challenges that we do face in the analysis of atmospheric gases.

Analytical Interference

Various methodologies lend themselves to analysis of different gases. Some methods are more or less specific than others, and there is usually no ‘magic bullet’ sensor/detector for any one gas.

Hydrogen – At Nova, we offer analysis of percent hydrogen by thermalconductivity detector. Hydrogen has a high degree of thermalconductivity, and this property can be used to measure it. However, other gases also have various degrees of thermalconductivity. The presence of several other gases in a mixture can interfere with the effectiveness of a thermalconductivity measurement. For hydrogen applications, we need to know what other gases are in the sample and the low/normal/high levels of each.

Methane & Hydrocarbons – At Nova, we offer infra-red analysis of hydrocarbons. The most common infrared analysis requested of us is methane. If the sample contains methane and enough other mixed hydrocarbons, some of the non-methane constituents will also produce a response on the infra-red detector. This is because many hydrocarbons have similar or overlapping IR spectra.

The methane reading may be compromised to an unknown degree by the non-methane hydrocarbons. For methane applications, we need to know what other gases are in the sample and the low/normal/high levels of each. We may be able to offer a methane-specific detector. In some cases, we may be able to compensate for the problem using certain calibration gas blends. Sometimes we can ignore the whole problem if the effects are not sufficient to be of concern to the end-user.

Electrochemical Sensors – At Nova, we offer analysis of various gases, including oxygen, using an electrochemical sensor. Electrochemical sensors are reactive by nature and are frequently affected by gases other the one of interest. For example, the gases carbon monoxide and hydrogen will often provoke a strong response on the same electrochemical detector. For electrochemical applications, we need to know what other gases are in the sample.

All of this really isn’t metamerism, but the ideas and potential consequences do bear some similarities. When discussing your analytical needs with Nova, we may request that you fill out an Application Questionnaire. This form is intended to assist you to provide us with critical data that may influence the type of equipment that is feasible in your application.

Nova Application Questionnaire
http://www.nova-gas.com/appq.html

For information on these and other 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/
https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS
http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-
http://www.tenovagroup.com/

IR Spectrum:

NIST Chemistry WebBook (http://webbook.nist.gov/chemistry); COBLENTZ SOCIETY; Collection (C) 2009 copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the United States of America. All rights reserved.

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