DataChem Uses Sierra to Blend P-5 In-House in Their Dynamic Gas Blender
For DataChem Laboratories, precision mass flow control matters. DataChem, originally established in 1971 as part of the University of Utah’s Research Institute, has grown into a world respected analytical testing laboratory.  They have the important job of testing and identifying harmful industrial and environmental toxins—from lead paint found on our children’s toys to methamphetamine dust found in suburban homes that were once operating as meth labs. 

In 1999, Steve Olsen, the Engineering Manager for their gas chromatography lab, noticed that he was spending exorbitant amounts of money purchasing P-5, an exact 95% argon and 5% methane gas blend from an outside vendor. P-5 gas is a critical gas used in their gas chromatograph to detect trace elements of chlorinated compounds in parts per billion.

Noticing this large expense in gas costs, Steve Olsen decided to make a change.  He installed our Side-Trak® 830 meter in his dynamic gas blender to accurately measure the argon flow rate based on demand, and the 840 mass flow controller to inject the 5% methane into the batch--5% of the mass flow rate of argon, maintaining a consistent gas ratio regardless of usage. Vern Bollinder, the current Senior Engineering Manager, still uses this solution to dynamically blend P-5 in-house.  Like Olsen 8 years earlier, Bollinder is very pleased with Sierra’s performance.  He says, year after year Sierra does the job and is “very accurate and has fast response”. 

Accuracy is Critical for Making Perfect P-5
For Bollinder, accuracy is so critical when blending P-5 that if the ratio of argon to methane rate varies 0.25%, an alarm will sound. And more importantly, if the gas ratio is off, their dynamic gas blender will stop mixing P-5.  The batch will be lost, and Bollinder will waste his valuable time starting over. 

For nine years now, both Olsen and Bollinder have experienced the perfect gas blending flow solution.  The Side-Trak® Model 830 is engineered to precisely measure the mass flow rate of process gases, and the Model 840’s powerful servo-control valve offers precise, instantaneous control of gas delivery to a batch—as much as you need for as long as you require.

Bollinder also likes working with the Sierra people. Jim Oswald, Sierra’s Customer Service Manager, carefully explained the recalibration procedures and answered various technical questions--on the phone, in real-time, in typically gracious Jim Oswald fashion.

Bollinder says, it’s “all good stuff!”

DataChem Saves About 50,000 Per Year by Blending P-5 In-House     
With Sierra, Bollinder doesn’t need to purchase gas cylinders from an outside vender at $123.00 a pop.  And doesn’t need to spend countless man hours switching cylinders, "which Bollinder says is a nuisance,” explains Bollinder. Not to mention the accrued cost of wasted gas left in the cylinders when the technicians switch them out.

Sierra's gas blending solution has saved DataChem about $50,000 per year, an excellent cost-savings that definitely meets the bottom line.

Sierra’s Smart-Trak® Model 100 Digital Thermal Mass Flow Controller, the next generation upgrade for their Model 830 and Model 840, is currently being reviewed by DataChem to make their gas blending capabilities even more efficient.

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