The Environics® Series 3000 gas delivery/blending system enables on-site gas blending of 100% pure bulk gases. It offers an alternative solution to using expensive premixed gas cylinders.
The Environics® model 3000 provides a repeatable blend of gases, unlike the premixed cylinders, and uses precision thermal mass flow controllers. The system can meet the specific processes and market needs in a flexible way.
Even though two and three gas mixtures are used normally, users can also produce gas mixtures containing more constituents. By using pure gases rather than premixed cylinders, the system offers cost-savings and enables the repeatability of the mixture, which are major advantages. The system pays for itself because of these savings.
The system is mainly regulated by Human Machine Interface (HMI); PLC and color touch screen are also integrated. Several I/O modules are linked to all the electro-mechanical devices. Ethernet connection is a usual feature on every S3000 system.
A free software utility is also offered, enabling remote operation and monitoring of the system over an Ethernet connection. Moreover, optional features include remote operation, alarms, a gas humidifier, and an oxygen-compatible construction.
For blending purposes, the flow rate of every gas is regulated by accurate MFCs (mass flow controllers). Calibration of all the MFCs is done at 11 points on a NIST-traceable primary flow standard. The S3000’s software utilizes the 11 points of calibration data and applies linear interpolation to offer a more precise and linear flow rate, thus leading to an accurate blend of gases.
Optional precision mass flow meters (MFM) are also available and can be installed on the MFCs’ outputs. These electronic meters are developed in such a way that it monitors the flow rate of every flow controller. The PLC mathematically establishes the real blend concentration depending on the metered flows, thus providing an independent check on the performance of MFC. Additionally, all the MFMs are calibrated at 11 points by employing linear interpolation.
The system has been produced in a NEMA 4 wall mount enclosure. For support, internal electrically grounded aluminum panels are offered, while a clear polycarbonate door safeguards the controls. Optional enclosures are also supplied. Both tube and tube fitting connections have been produced from 316-grade stainless steel.
At the time of active mixing, the instrument transports the diluted gas mixture via an in-line static mixer to guarantee a homogeneous mix of gases. In addition, a controllable positive pressure is enabled to fulfill the needs of a process downstream.
The mixer delivers gas to a ballast tank and can be switched on and off when the level of pressure decreases and increases in the tank. This process may prove useful when gas has to be conserved in situations of intermittent usage or sporadic demand.
An optional audible and/or visual alarm can be fixed at the top of the instrument to alert operators regarding certain fault conditions. An alarm would be activated if an interpreted concentration from the optional flow meters crosses a user-adjustable tolerance.
Another novel feature of the instrument is that the alarms can be emailed to update the operators even when they are not there on the site. But this can be done only if the IP address of the email server has a static IP address.
Product features and benefits
- Flow standard precision is up to 1% of reading
- The outputs of the MFCs can be integrated with optional precision MFMs
- Combined PLC and color touch screen; the latest Unitronics article featuring the Gas Delivery and Mixing System can be referred to know more about this new feature
- Repeatability is up to +/–0.05% of full-scale
- Optional email alarms, audible and/or visual alarm are available
Applications
- Welding of shielding gases
- Controlled atmospheric storage
- Fabrication of semiconductors
- Modified atmospheric packaging
- Gas processing and blanketing