Measurement and control aspect of pH using

inductively coupled bidirectional Memosens

technology in flue gas desulfurization process

Bhupendrakumar R. Patel - Analysis Business Manager, Lower Midwest

Frederick J. Kohlmann - Business Manager, Upper Midwest

Executive Summary
pH measurement and control in a power utility is an integral part of process. The scrubber efficiency is highly dependent on the pH.
Numerous opportunities were revealed for saving time, as well as the cost and materials in power plants. In a fossil fuel power plant,
the chemical energy stored in coal, oil, natural gas, shale oil, oxygen and air is converted into thermal, mechanical and finally into
electrical energy. In other words, water is heated to steam, which spins a steam turbine. The steam turbine drives an electrical generator.
Commercial power plants generally are built on a very large scale.

Power plants burning fossil fuels must combat externalities such as oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. The authors have briefly
discussed the common scrubber technologies, effect of pH on scrubber efficiencies, challenges in making accurate pH measurements in
scrubber fluids, and presented viable solutions.

The data comparisons show significant savings in time and materials upon implementation of proposed solutions.

FGD process is highly dependent on pH and temperature. Running FGD process at proper pH helps improve scrubber efficiency and
saves valuable resources such as time and material. In the lab centric approach, calibrated sensors are readily available and pH issues are
addressed quickly.

About the Authors

Bhupen Patel is a Product Business Manager for Liquid Analysis with Endress+Hauser. He recently received an MBA from IWU in
Applied Management. He earned his Master’s in Environmental Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology. In addition, Bhupen
also holds M.Sc. in inorganic chemistry from South Gujarat University, India.

Since 1986, Bhupen has been involved in chemical analysis for process control, quality control, water and wastewater treatments.
Bhupen has published numerous research papers and most recently, co-authored an article in Chemical Processing Journal about pH
measurement entitled, “Take some basic steps with pH measurements”.

Fred Kohlmann is a Product Business Manager for Analytical Products with Endress+Hauser. Since 1976, he has been involved in
engineering, design service, marketing, and sales of online analytical water quality and process control instrumentation. Mr. Kohlmann
has taught accredited course work and authored numerous articles relating to pH, ORP and conductivity measurements. Past publications
include “What Is pH and How Is It Measured?”, a primer on the use of pH instrumentation, and “Electrical Conductivity Measurements”
in the “Process/Industrial Instruments and Controls Handbook”, Fourth Edition, by McGraw Hill, Douglas M. Considine Editor.

CP 971C/24/EN/09.10
US/INDD CS
Abstract water by the chemical reaction of combusting some type of fuel.
For quasistatic processes under constant pressure, ΔH is equal
to the change in the internal energy of the system, plus the work
pH measurement and control in a power utility is an integral part
that the system has done on its surroundings.(3) This means that
of process. One of the main externalities of generating power is
the change in enthalpy under such conditions is equal to the heat
SO2[1], which requires efficient lime scrubbers. In a typical coal-
absorbed by steam. Power plants burning fossil fuels must combat
fired power plant, FGD process will remove 95 percent or more of
externalities such as oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. Among
SO2 in the flue gases. The scrubber efficiency is highly dependent
others, the oxides of sulfur have acute toxicity. To some degree,
on the pH. Therefore, it requires collaborative input of pH from
SO2 and SO3, gases act as pseudo halogens such as chlorine and
multiple locations to implement the control strategy within time
fluorine with regards to toxic and oxidative effects. Therefore,
constraints and cost.
many of these externalities are controlled and monitored by local
state and Federal agencies. “Short-term exposures to peak SO2
While most of the equipment used for pH measurement
levels can have significant health effects – especially for children
appears to be rather simple, in practice however, the underlying
and the elderly – and leave our families and taxpayers saddled with
principle and understanding of pH process can be very complex.
high health care costs,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson(4).
For example, when comparing the lab data with the process

solutions, discrepancies often arise. One of the explanations is the
The intention of this paper is to add to the knowledgebase of
temperature difference that occurs while transferring the process
operations managers, instrument techs and general mangers in
sample to the lab. Using inductively coupled digital technology for
power and energy industries. The topics discussed in this paper
pH, some of this interference was explained and eliminated from
may help in making reliable pH measurement, thus in many cases
the measurement.
save valuable resources such as time, money and materials. The
authors have briefly discussed the common scrubber technologies,
Numerous opportunities were revealed for saving time, as well as
effect of pH on scrubber efficiencies, challenges in making
the cost and materials in power plants. As results, the externalities
accurate pH measurements in scrubber fluids, and presented viable
of air and water pollution were minimized while saving time,
solutions. The data comparisons show significant savings in time
labor hours and materials. The information presented herein may
and materials upon implementation of proposed solutions.
be useful to plant engineers, reliability engineers, managers and
operators who are actively involved in the advanced measuring
technologies for improving scrubber efficiencies, corrosion control,
and energy management for operational efficiencies.
Flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
technologies
Introduction
Oxides and hydroxides of earth alkali metals such as calcium,
In a fossil fuel power plant, the chemical energy stored in coal, oil,
magnesium and occasionally sodium are generally used as
natural gas, shale oil, oxygen and air is converted into thermal,
neutralizing agents for removing oxides of sulfur from coal fired
mechanical and finally into electrical energy. In other words,
power plants. The neutralization process generally produces sulfur
water is heated to steam, which spins a steam turbine. The steam
compounds of calcium, magnesium, and sodium as presented in
turbine drives an electrical generator. Commercial power plants
equation 1, where “Me” represents metal ion in oxide, carbonate or
generally are built
hydroxide.
on a very large scale.
Electric power plants
Equation 1
typically use three
Mex(OH)y + SOx ----> MexSO y + H2O
phase or single-phase
generators to produce
In practice, the FGD systems can be categorized in two major
alternating current
classes, single pass and regenerative. In single pass, the sulfur
(AC) at a frequency of
compound is permanently bound to the metal ion. In the
50 Hertz or 60 Hertz.
regenerative technology, the sorbent can be regenerated in isolated
Hertz is a unit for
processes and brought back to the absorber chamber for re-use.
frequency of AC sine
Further processing in regenerative technology can produce sulfuric
wave per second.
acid, elemental sulfur or liquefied sulfur dioxide. Both of these
single and regenerative processes can be carried out in wet or dry,
Historically, steam
depending on the conditions of the sorbent exiting the scrubbers.
engines have been
Mostly in large-scale power plants, the FGD systems used are wet
used for mechanical
process. According to a report issued by US-DOE, in 2000 more
power sources since
than 85% of FGD systems used wet scrubbers, mainly calcium
the 18th Century,
compounds as absorber liquid5. In order to be of interest to a larger
with notable improvements being made by James Watt. The very
community, this paper chiefly discusses the wet process for FGD.
first commercial central electrical generating stations were located
Using calcium hydroxide (slack lime), the wet scrubbing reaction is
in New York and London, in 1882(2), which used reciprocating
presented in equation 2.
steam engines. Once the water is introduced inside the boiler
or steam generator, the process of adding the latent heat of
vaporization or enthalpy starts. The boiler transfers energy to the


 Monitoring Lime Slurry in Fossil Power plants
Classification:
INTERNAL
03/17/2010
RAVI Jethra
Slide 54 / 73
Equation 2
Ca(OH)2(Slurry) + SO2 (g) ------> CaSO3(s) + H2O(aq) + ∆H
The main problem with this reaction is the formation of calcium
sulfite, which is extremely water insoluble. It is reported that at
18˚C, CaSO3 solubility is 0.0043 grams per 100 cc of water, and as
the temperature increases, the solubility decreases. Near 100˚C the
solubility is 0.0011 grams per 100cc of water6. As the temperature
increases in the absorber tower, the scaling and crystallizing
calcium sulfite poses plugging of the plumbing and spray nozzle
problems. To overcome scaling and crystallization, a technique
known as forced oxidation is applied. The resulting product is
calcium sulfate (gypsum) hydrate as presented in equation 3.
Equation 3
2CaSO3 + O2 + 4H2O -----> 2CaSO4. 4H2O
In practice, when the forced oxidation was carried out, it still posed
problems of clogging lines and pumps. In many cases, it is highly
desirable to go through a pathway of forming calcium hydrogen
sulfite. The formation of hydrosulfite reaction is presented in the
following steps.
The reaction in the absorber where sulfur dioxide is directly in
contact with water to form calcium hydrogen sulfite as presented
in equations 4 and 5.
Equation 4
H2O + SO2(g) -------> H2SO3(aq)
Equation 5
2H2SO3(aq) + CaCO3 --pH 4.5-> CO2(g) + Ca(HSO3)2(aq) + H2O
Via ex-situ oxidation, in the regeneration tank calcium hydrogen
sulfite is further oxidized to calcium sulfate (gypsum) as follows in
equation 6.
Equation 6
Ca(HSO3)2(aq) + O2(g) ------> CaSO4(s) + H2SO4(aq)
Gypsum (CaSO4) is settled in the clarifiers and de-watered further
for drying. The supernatant can be recycled as acid or for pH
adjustment in the absorber tower.
As presented above, slightly acidic slurry produces highly water
soluble calcium hydrogen sulfite6, and also absorbs more sulfur
dioxide. The precondition here is the pH. It must be in correct
range for this reaction to occur. Soda ash is added to the process to
create favorable conditions for Calcium hydrogen sulfite formation.
The aqueous Ca(HSO3)2 is then further oxidized to CaSO4 in that
process.

In place of sulfuric acid, when soda ash is added, sodium sulfate
is formed. Na2SO4, which is water-soluble brought back in the
absorber tower for further use. As seen from the above equations,
chemical reactions are highly pH dependent. Correct pH conditions
are necessary to increase the reaction rate for higher scrubber
efficiency.
Hydrogen ion concentration
pH is a negative log of hydrogen ion concentration. In order to drive
the chemical reaction in a favorable direction, proper hydrogen ion
concentration is imperative. Unlike other process measurements,
pH measurement is probably one of the most talked about for
its difficulties for calibration, errors, interferences, moisture,
corrosion and galvanic interferences. Some of these challenges are
elaborated further in this paper. It is important to understand pH
measurement before discussing the problems associated with it.
The pH scale has a range of 0 to 14, where 7 pH is considered
neutral. Anything from pH 7 to pH 0 is considered acidic and from
7 to 14 pH is alkaline. The more acidic the solution, the more H3O+
(hydronium) ions are present, and the less OH- (hydroxide) ions
present. This relationship is always constant, and so knowing one,
we can determine the other.
Equation 7
2H2O = H3O+ + OH-
For simplicity, we refer to hydronium ions as hydrogen ions or H+.
Theoretically pure water (7 pH), at 25ºC, the amounts of hydrogen
and hydroxide ions are equal, and their product is always 10-14.
The pH sensor operates in a similar fashion to a common battery
as it produces as a result of an electro-chemical reaction separate
EMF (electromotive force) potentials from its positive and negative
electrodes called the active (+) and reference (-) electrode. Most pH
Figure 1.0 Anatomy of combination electrode7

sensors in use today are comprised of a glass-measuring electrode
and varying designs of a reference electrode both integrated into a
one piece body known as a combination pH electrode or sensor. As
presented in Figure 1.0, reference electrode resides in the glass pH
electrode.
Most pH electrodes sold in modern times are combination
electrodes. Depending on the characteristics of the process fluids
in which the pH measurement is carried out, some electrodes
will have continuously flowing reference electrolyte through the
reference cell.
Challenges associated with pH
measurement
Calculation of pH is based on Nernst equation:
Where
U = Voltage
U0 = Voltage at pH = 7.00
R = Gas constant
T = Temperature in Kelvin
F = Faraday constant
aH+ = Ion activity
n = Ionic charge at H+ = 1
Based on the above equation, at pH 7, the electrical potential is
equal to the reference potential. In other words, the potential
is zero mV at pH 7.0. Often broken pH sensors generate zero
potential, an ordinary transmitter interprets this zero potential as
pH 7.0. In many cases the sensor may appear perfect, yet it may
have a microscopic crack which can cause the potential to equalize
to zero in acidic or alkaline process fluids.
In alkaline solutions, H+ ions are replaced by Na+ or Ca+2 ions,
these ions being similar in size8, often mimic the effect of hydrogen
ions. As a result, the pH reading may be artificially depressed. This
phenomenon is also known as alkaline error. This error is more
pronounced at pH 10.5 or higher alkaline conditions.
The reference
Most often, the pH measurement problems are associated with
the reference electrode. The term reference usually is meant to
encompass the complete reference system. This system consists of
the reference junction, also known as the salt bridge, the reference
solution, often a 3.0 molar KCl solution and the reference element,
commonly a silver wire plated with silver chloride. The purpose
of the reference is to provide stable potential from which the
measuring electrode subtracts its potential, yielding a mV value
which in turn is converted to a pH reading in the instrument.
Equation 8 is a simplified version of earlier Nernst Equation.
Equation 8
mV = E1 – E2
Where
E1 = glass measuring electrode
E2 = reference electrode
In theory, the reference is considered a 0.00 mV potential.
Therefore, changes in the mV signal seen by the measuring sensor
are considered that of pH potential generated by the measuring
electrode and attributable only to the changes in process pH.
However, due to the fragile and ever changing nature of the
reference electrode, those changes in mV potential seen by the
measuring instrument must be tempered. In the processes being
measured and in the laboratory setting, the reference electrode can
and does exhibit changing potentials. These changes are primarily
due to the following factors:
measurement and more time in maintenance. At the same time,
prolonged calibration cycles means scaling, erroneous reading
and some times sensor failure. When calibrating the conventional
pH loop, one must bring calibration buffers to the POM (point of
measurement). After successfully retrieving the sensor from the
process, the sensor must attain the temperature of the calibration
buffers before starting the calibration. As reported by many,
if everything works fine, calibration requires two people for a
minimum of 45 minutes. If the sensor is covered with scaling and
process residue, simple or chemical cleaning may be necessary
prior to calibration. If possible, all calibration must start with
cleaning followed by zeroing in pH 7 buffers and set slope in pH
4 buffer. The theoretical slope value is 58.16 mV per pH unit9.
However, depending on the reference conditions, the age of the
sensor, process conditions, quality and accuracy of the calibration
buffers, the slope value can vary.

• Plugging of the salt bridge or liquid junction Problems of moisture and

• Contamination of the KCl reference solution
• Poisoning and attack of the silver/silver chloride reference corrosion
element
• Ground loops
The first three factors may exhibit visual confirmation. To check
the presence of ground loop special technique is required. The
presence of galvanic interference (ground loop) can be confirmed
by placing the sensor in a plastic or glass beaker of process sample
and then grounding the solution to the process piping. If the pH
changes by more than ±0.1 pH, a ground loop is present.
Sensor calibration
Correct calibration is vital to accurate pH reading. The most
commonly asked question is, “How often is the calibration
required?” The more frequent calibration equates to less time in
pH is an electrochemical measurement, which requires an aqueous
medium to work. Often the measurements are performed in
corrosive alkaline or acidic conditions. The signal generated from
the pH sensor is in the range of ± 0.414 volts, or ± 414 mV for 0
to 14 pH range. Relatively speaking this is a very weak signal.
Short-circuiting occurs as moisture penetrates the cable – sensor
connection. With time, the cable-sensor connections get corroded
due to moisture buildup. All things considered, pH measurement
have more reasons for cleaning, calibration, and repairs. These
factors combined, present a challenging task of keeping up with pH
systems. The efforts are tabulated below for various areas of the
FGD, which was a double alkali system, later turned into single
pass lime slurry and occasional addition of soda ash.

Table 1.0 Time spent on maintenance of pH loops in various areas in FGD process
Area POMs (points of Problems Hours per week Remarks
measuring)
Absorber – North tower 3 points, triplicates Drifting, scaling, 8 to 10 hours average Often sensors break
3X3=9 corrosion, fixating sensors when retracted
Regeneration 5 points Crystals build-up, 6 to 8 hours Acid cleaning required
5X1=5 corrosion
Lime slurry tanks 3 points triplicate Solids, clogging of 10 to 12 hours Removing scaling often
3X3=9 reference jn, drift high damages the sensors
Clarifiers 2 points Drift, corrosion 2 to 4 hours Difficult calibrating
effluents 2X1=2
Totals 25 pH loops 30 to 34 hours
Ave. four days /Wk

As seen from the table above, pH measurement required intense maintenance. As it was reported by the customer after all of these efforts,
it was unpredictable, and frustrating to keep up with other tasks. As discussed earlier, inaccurate pH readings lead to many other problems.
For example, wrong pH reading tends to create unfavorable conditions for slower rate of reactions, which directly relates to more reagents
consumption and lower scrubber efficiencies.


Some problems presented in Table 1.0 are inherent to the nature
of the business. For example, when a sensor is introduced to lime
slurry, scaling and solids build-up are a part of reality. It can be
minimized however, if there is a scheduled maintenance. When
the tasks of cleaning and calibration are performed in a laboratory,
it becomes easy to keep the schedule. In many cases, calibrations
and maintenance cycles are required several times a week to
ensure correct measurements. Conventional systems are prone to
moisture ingress, galvanic interferences and ground loop issues. It
is very important that the cable/sensor connection is clean and dry
at all times. Moisture, corrosion and dirt are common problems of
pH measurement, because it contaminates and weakens the analog
electrical signal.
The suppliers of pH systems have struggled extensively to overcome
these difficulties. For example, expensive high impedance
coaxial cables must be used on analog systems. The requirement
of calibrating the sensor, cable and transmitter, as a complete
measuring loop needs significant time in process environment,
often in hazardous or difficult to access areas such as SO2 fumes.
Memosens digital sensors allow off-site calibration due to the
ability to store the calibration data. A digital sensor can be
calibrated, disconnected and stored for later use. One can clean,
calibrate and store several sensors for later use. Each digital sensor
is factory stamped with a serial number, which allows the end
user to build and track historical data for each individual sensor.
Sensors coming from different process areas can be assigned a tag
with description so that it can be tracked according to the intensity
and criticality of the processes. For example, sensors coming from
the absorber tower, may have been in more corrosive environment
as compared to the sensors from clarifier effluent or a lime slurry
tank.
Replace the
Sensor
Calibration
in the field

Measurement Measurement
Inductively Coupled Bidirectional Memosens Technology
Many of the above-described problems can be avoided or in
some cases eliminated by use of ICBM digital technology. Unlike
conventional pH systems, the mV signal is digitized by the Conventional Sensor Memosens Sensor
microprocessor in the sensor connection head. The pH sensor
is inductively coupled with the cable, which conveys the digital Figure 2.0 Measurement time comparison for conventional and
signal to the transmitter over long distance without any galvanic Memosens pH sensor
interference. Additionally the microprocessor in the sensor head
stores calibration data, extreme process environments, hours of When these sensors are replaced, there is no calibration required.
usage, measuring glass impendence, zero potential, slope delta, The only time spent on site is time to retrieve and replace with
and other useful information. The ability to store calibration data pre-calibrated sensors. Figure 2.0 represents the time comparison
eliminates the need of complete loop calibration. Monitoring the for conventional and digital pH sensors.
sensor conditions by SCS (sensor check system) provides data for
predictive maintenance for the measuring points. As discussed earlier, the conventional systems are prone to
moisture ingress, galvanic interferences and ground loop issues.
It is very important that cable/sensor connection is clean and dry
at all times. Moisture, corrosion and dirt are common problems of
Digital pH sensor saves time pH measurement, because it contaminates and weakens the analog
electrical signal due to dirty or moist environments.
As reported earlier, one of the most consumed resources in pH
measurement is time. Sensors are a consumable part of the loop. To
maintain and calibrate multiple loops the instrument technologist
must carry necessary calibration buffers, cleaners, test meters,
and instructions. If the calibration prolongs for any reason, it
requires extra time in often-hazardous conditions. Calibration of
a conventional pH sensor sometimes becomes a puzzling situation,
as a normal and relatively new pH sensor will not calibrate. Unless
there is a written record kept, there is no history information on
the ordinary pH sensor. Therefore, troubleshooting becomes a very
difficult, time consuming and frustrating task.

Figure 3.0 Bayonet twist lock – Memosens cable sensor connection


 inductive data transmission

inductive transmission of energy

Many suppliers have attempted to seal cable and sensor, making Table 2.0 Sensors Received - Read Memosens Data as received12
the cable inseparable from the sensor. Therefore, to replace the Sensor parameter Value
sensor, the cable must be replaced with the sensor. Sealing the
cable to a sensor may protect from the moisture ingress, however, Order code CPS71D-7BB21
it does not protect from ground loop or other galvanic inferences. Serial number 8801CA05E00
Besides, threading the cable through conduits each time can be
Date of manufacture 2006-08-31
time consuming and expensive. ICBM sensors connect inductively
to the cable via bayonet twist lock as presented in Figure 3.0. Commissioning date 2006-11-20 10:03
Since the connection is inductive, it is immune to water or dirt. Sensor information
The Memosens connection works when submerged in water11.
Type of calibration 2-point cal.
Zero point [pH] 6.91
Implementation Slope [mV/pH] 58.24

During the pilot stage, the customer started trial experiments on Date of pH calibration 2008-11-09 12:34
the new digital sensor technology in late 2007 on the absorber Buffer 1 [pH] 7.00
tower. The difficulty at this POM is the lime scaling and solids Buffer 2 [pH] 4.00
build-up eventually jamming the sensor in the holder. At this
triple measurement point, the customer had difficulty measuring Number of calibrations 3
correct temperature and pH. This resulted in more attention at Delta zero point [pH] -0.08
the measuring point. As seen from Table 1.0, this area required 10 Delta slope [mV/pH] -0.45
hours of maintenance per week.
S/N calibration transmitter A7008305G00
The customer acquired three complete digital pH loops and Operating hours
an extra lab unit for calibration in the lab. For this POM they
Operating time 875
purchased five electrodes. While three were in process, two were
stored in pH 7 buffer, ready for use. During the week where there Number of sterilizations 0
were situations with the digital POM, it got the first attention. Max. operating temperature [°C] 72
Maybe it was due to the ease of just replacing with pre calibrated
Usage > 80 °C [h] 13
sensor. The customer decided to change them out on a preset time
regardless of their performance. As a result, it had less chance for Usage > 100 °C [h] 0.00
scaling and solids build-up. According to customer, they follow the Usage < -300 mV [h] 0.00
protocol presented below.
Usage > 300 mV [h] 0.00

After recording “as received” Memosens data, the sensors were

cleaned and calibrated. After the calibration, the Memosens data
was read again to keep record for outgoing conditions. Keeping
records of parameters such as slope value, hours of usage, number
of calibrations and delta slope was very useful for comparison and
helped when not to use the sensor anymore. The old analog system
made them spend hours to fix sensors, which were beyond repair.
With the help of the Memosens technology, the customer realized
a tremendous amount of time saved.


As the instrument technicians became more familiar with the
technology, in the second phase they switch over two more
References
recirculation lines on the absorber towers. With the Memosens
1. Biondo, S.J. and Marten, J.C., A History of Flue Gas
pH in place, a trip to absorber recirculation lines was the shortest
Desulfurization Systems Since 1850, Journal of the Air
among lime slurry and regeneration tanks. In the later part of the
Pollution Control Association, Vol. 27, No. 10, pp 948-961,
project, the customer replaced most of the POMs with Memosens
October 1977.
technologies. Some POMs are on pre-set maintenance schedules for
replacement of pH sensors, others were replaced as needed.
2. Asimov, Isaac. Asimov’s Chronology of Science and Discovery.
New York: Harper & Row, 1989.
Lab Centric cleaning and 3. Haase, R. In Physical Chemistry: An Advanced Treatise; Jost,
calibration of sensors W., Ed.; Academic: New York, 1971

4. Thomas C. Elliott, Kao Chen, Robert Swanekamp (coauthors)

At present, there are more than 20 points using Memosens
(1997). Standard Handbook of Powerplant Engineering (2nd
technology. All digital sensors are brought in at a central location.
edition ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional.
These sensors are documented for Memosens data as received,
cleaned, calibrated and Memosens data is read to document the
5. Zino K., (2009) EPA Proposes Tougher Sulfur Dioxide
outgoing conditions of the sensor. The sensors are stored in pH
Regulations, The Detroit Bureau http://www.
7 buffers for later use. Since there are always calibrated sensors
thedetroitbureau.com/2009/11/epa-proposes-tougher-sulfur-
available, discrepancies in pH reading are addressed promptly.
dioxide-regulations Retrieved, May 3rd 2010
Now cleaning and calibration tasks are performed at scheduled
times. Sensors as received are stored in cleaning solutions, such as
6. Patton R., (2003) REVIEW OF HANDLING AND USE OF
mild HCl. Removing solids build-up and scaling becomes less time
FGD MATERIAL, U.S. Department of Energy National Energy
consuming. Temperature equalization is not time consuming now
Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA
that sensors and buffers are in the lab at the same temperature,
which saved a lot more time for calibration of sensors. All digital
sensors were calibrated by laboratory technicians, who are directly
7. CRC Press (1986), Physical constants of inorganic compounds
involved in performing other analysis related to the plant.
(p. 84), Handbook of chemistry and physics 66th edition,
1985-86.

Conclusions 8. Endress+Hauser Inc (2005). Fundamentals of potentiometric

pH measuring technology, Internal white paper.
From the observations and data of this case history, one can
9. R.D. Acta Cryst (1976) Revised effective ionic radii and
conclude the following:
systematic studies of interatomic distances in halides and
chalcogenides Shannon R.D. Acta Cryst. A32 751-767 (1976)
1. FGD process is highly dependent on pH and temperature.
Running FGD process at proper pH helps improve in scrubber
10. Patel B. R., Kohlmann F. (2008) Take Some Basic Steps with
efficiency and save valuable resources such as time and
pH Measurements, Chemical Processing. Retrived from
material. The data comparison shows that implementation of lab
http://www.chemicalprocessing.com/articles/2008/117.
centric approach for cleaning and calibration of digital sensors
html?page=full May 3rd 2010
lower average maintenance time from 34 hours per week to 10
hours per week for 22 pH loops.
11. Endress+Hauser Ltd., (2009) Memosens pH Sensor., Enviro-
News and Business. Retrived from http://www.enviro-news.
2. Documenting and tracking the history of individual sensors is
com/article/memosens_ph_sensor.html May 3rd, 2010.
important for the troubleshooting aspect of pH measurement.
Due to the historical data such as hours of use, slope value,
12. Brian Junker (2007) Demonstartions by of GE Booth Company,
and other SCS (Sensor Check System) data help in determining
GE Booth, Indianapolis, IN.
reusing or replacing old sensors.
13. Memobase © 2006 by Endress+Hauser Conducta - Produced
3. In the lab centric approach, calibrated sensors are readily
with Endress+Hauser Memobase version 1.01.00
available and pH issues are addressed quickly. As a result, FGD
system components such as absorber towers, regeneration tanks,
and lime slurry tanks are run at optimum conditions, which
help in improving efficiencies and saves reagents.



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