ABB is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of the first turnkey multi-component emission monitoring system using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Using FTIR technology – a technique for obtaining an infrared spectrum of gas emissions – the gas analyzer measures up to 15 components simultaneously with the highest degree of accuracy and reliability.
Manufactured in Frankfurt 30 years ago, the system is now in its fourth generation and supports industrial companies in measuring the industry’s lowest concentrations of gases from combustion processes. The gas analyzer measures exhaust gases from industrial chimneys in chemical plants, waste incinerators, cement kilns and more. The performance of the system has constantly improved over the past 30 years – from the detection limits to the number of components measured. Thanks to its flexibility, the ACF5000 can be adapted to changing customer requirements. New components prescribed for measurement or changed emission limit values can be activated simply by upgrading the software.
“Due to increasing environmental monitoring requirements, combustion processes need to measure ever lower concentrations of an increasing number of pollutants,” says Ben Goossens, Global Product Line Market Manager, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “As industrial plants are heavily monitored and need to meet the most stringent requirements, the ACF5000 is the perfect solution.”
The high-resolution FTIR spectrometer enables the selective measurement of infrared-active gas molecules with high sensitivity and stability. The FTIR measuring principle ensures that the spectrometer is drift-free and rarely needs to be readjusted, so that no expensive and unsafe test gas stocks need to be created.
In 2002, the gas analyzer was upgraded with a fully heated system driven by an air injector pump – a technological breakthrough pioneered by ABB. The unique air injector pump eliminates the need for moving parts in sample handling – resulting in improved durability, reduced maintenance and increased system availability and safety. Due to heating and favorable positioning in the sample gas path prevents condensation. This protects the system from corrosion and ensures that each molecule to be measured remains in the gaseous state
The first generation of the ACF5000 was called Cemas FTIR – Continuous Emission Monitoring Analyzer System. In 1996, the second generation – the Advance Cemas FTIR – was improved by the addition of a heated pump. In 2002, the Advanced Cemas FTIR – New Technology was launched with a heated air injector – an immediate success in a market that had to comply with new and stricter regulations, particularly in Europe. The fourth generation – the AFC5000 – was launched in 2014. It has an integrated validation wheel that can be used to validate FTIR performance and demonstrate compliance to local authorities – without the use of tracer gases.
With 70,000 certified continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) installed in all major industries, ABB is a market leader in continuous emission monitoring. In 2023, ABB received the prestigious Frost & Sullivan “Company of the Year” award for vision, innovation and technical expertise in emissions monitoring.
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitizes industrial processes that meet a wide range of essential requirements – from the supply of energy, water and materials to the production and transportation of goods to market. With approximately 20,000 employees and leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in the process, hybrid and marine industries improve the performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
Source: ABB
