PCME - Passionate about Particulate

The PCME VIEW 580 is a cross-stack optical system suitable for monitoring particle emissions from combustion boilers and emissions controlled by electrostatic precipitators. Mains power and a choice of user outputs are wired directly to the instrument avoiding the need for a separate control unit and providing a stand-alone solution, or allowing simple integration into an existing CEM system. The PCME VIEW 580 can be used in processes where either direct Opacity (and extinction) measurement is required, or dust concentration measurement for specific applications via calibration against the Standard Reference Method.

Traditional Opacity instruments measure the intensity of received light; PCME's patented DynamicOpacity™ Ratiometric Opacity technology instead measures the temporal variation (rate of change) in light, or Optical Scintillation. This offers a significant advantage over traditional Opacity methods, as the ratiometric measurement is unaffected by lens contamination allowing the instrument to operate with lens contamination exceeding 90%, therefore greatly reducing costly process intervention for lens maintenance and servicing.

• Internal electronic Zero and Span checks to monitor for instrument integrity
• Extended maintenance intervals due to reduced sensitivity to lens contamination
• Sensor lenses are accessed in-situ for lens cleaning, ensuring correct alignment of transmitter and receiver even after maintenance
• Integrated control unit locally configurable via keypad and display, or via optional PC interface (RS232/485)
• Optional Data Viewer and Device Set PC software for emissions viewing and system configuration via PC

Extended Maintenance Intervals & Les Contamination Compensation

DynamicOpacity™ Ratiometric Opacity technology instruments are often used to replace Opacity instruments which require extensive maintenance and service time. As the instrument is measuring the ratio of signal scintillation to absolute light intensity, the PCME VIEW 580 continues to operate with lens contamination up to 90%. This is because both the reduction in light intensity and the variation in intensity caused by lens contamination are affected by the same proportion, resulting in no net effect. In contrast with traditional Opacity measurement, the DynamicOpacity™ Ratiometric Opacity method also compensates for potential misalignment or light source aging.

Air purge should be connected to the transmitter and receiver heads to provide a positive displacement of air away from the lens surfaces, however, since air usage is in the order of 30-60 litres/minute it is economical to use plant instrument air rather than install specific air blower systems.

Automatic Zero and Span Checks

The PCME VIEW 580 includes either manual or automated Zero and Span checks which monitor for instrument integrity. These checks simulate the operation of the instrument and permit any internal instrument problems to be self-detected. Span checks for the CEM are implemented either manually or automatically and are performed by varying the light intensity in the transmitter head. The zero check involves measuring the variation with no transmitter light present. With the automatic self-checks option, these checks are carried out automatically over a period of 3 hours.

Simple Setup and Maintenance

DynamicOpacity™ Ratiometric Opacity instruments use a diffused transmitter which emits light at a range of angles from the transmitter source. Combined with the ratiometric measurement algorithm this means that the alignment of transmitter and receiver are less critical than with traditional Opacity instruments, and consequently do not require elaborate alignment procedures during installation.

PCME VIEW 580 alignment is simply performed with the mechanical alignment fitting flange accessory

Additionally, the transmitter and receiver heads are designed so that the lenses can be accessed and cleaned without the need for disconnecting flanges from the stack, ensuring correct alignment even after maintenance intervention.

Process Conditions

The PCME VIEW 580 is suitable for:

• Stacks after bag filters, cartridge filters, cyclones, or no filter
• Electro-filters, e.g. electrostatic precipitators
• Non-condensing / dry flue gases*
• Variable flue gas velocities, including low velocity flue gases
• Variable particulate size and type

For wet / condensing flue gas applications see PCME STACK 181 WS

Typical Applications

The PCME VIEW 580 is used to monitor emissions from the following types of processes:

• After Electro-filter abatement plant
• Power industry, Coal Fired Boiler Plant
• Cement kiln abatement plant
• Gypsum industry, Calcinators
• Large diameter stacks
• Processes regulated in terms of Opacity / Extinction

Performance