Homogeneous gas mixing is a common process requirement in many applications including use in analyzer rooms, in food and beverage production, and more. We have vast experience in designing precise measurement and control devices for this application. Our vendor partnerships, such as that with Bronkhorst, enables us to offer innovative flow instrumentation that is currently in use in a wide range of applications and industries. Bronkhorst leads the market in low flow meter and controllers. Their products include thermal mass flow, Coriolis flow, liquid flow meters / controllers, gas flow meters / controllers, pressure sensors and controllers, and much more.
Lately, there is an increasing demand for special gas mixtures. Our Bronkhorst low flow instrumentation is ideal for such applications. The process of gas mixing is more intricate than simply adding two different gas flows. There are many factors that need consideration in the process. For instance, operators may have to dilute the dopant with a certain dilution of gas. This is where an appropriate mixing chamber is useful. Luckily, our partners at Bronkhorst offer a series of special gas mixing chambers.
Water, barley, hops, and yeast are the main ingredients for making beer. In the process of brewing beer, air enables fermentation for the reproduction of yeast cells. The fermentation step consumes almost all of the oxygen from the air. So, the following steps must use low amounts of oxygen to avoid oxidation. The taste and quality of the beer is dependent on the ability to avoid oxidation.
Gases like nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are a part of the beer brewing process. With that in mind, calibrating sensors for oxygen level accuracy will have to factor in the influence of these other gases. Appropriate compositions of these gases have to be created and delivered to the oxygen sensor. These calibration tests run for weeks and characteristic curves need analysis.
Six Bronkhorst thermal mass flow controllers are a part of 6 gas supply lines. The purpose of these controllers and supply lines is to mix these dry gases (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air) to create the necessary gas composition. These flow controllers are able to deliver accurate, low gas flows. So, each of the mass flow controllers are calibrated with curves for oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
The mass flow controllers are in stainless steel gas mixing boxes, which also control operations via touch screen. Within the box, the controllers are in two groups of three to ensure high accuracy. The gases move into the box, then to the two groups of mass flow controllers. Next, they are mixed together in the chamber. An oxygen sensor outside of the box and downstream from the Mixing Chamber measures the content of oxygen in the system.
This calibration setup can generate 27 different gas compositions. The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), such as the X7 from Horner Automation, within the control box allows the client to start the calibration using the first gas composition with just the push of a button.
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