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Company:
DataChem Laboratories, Salt Lake City, Utah
Application:
Gas blending for gas chromatography analysis
Product:
Sierra's 830/840 Side-Trak thermal mass flow meters and controllers
Goal:
Cut operating costs by blending P-5 gas, a critical gas used to detect contaminants in gas chromatography analysis, in-house instead of purchasing this expensive gas from an outside vendor.
Mass Flow Solution:
Sierra's Side-Trak 830 and 840 measures and controls the mass flow rates of 95% Argon and 5% Methane, allowing DataChem to blend perfect P-5 in-house in their dynamic gas blender.
Business Impact:
Sierra's Thermal Mass Flow Technology
... saves DataChem approximately 50,000 dollars a year by allowing them to dynamically blend P-5 in-house, a substantial cost-saving that meets the bottom line. |
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DataChem Offers Valuable Industrial and Environmental Testing Services
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. In today's news, we frequently hear about toxic industrial and environmental contaminants that can harm our families--from lead paint found on children‘s toys to methamphetamine dust found in suburban homes that were once operating as meth labs. DataChem has the important job of testing and identifying these harmful toxins, to keep our families healthy and environment safe.
Sierra's Thermal Technology Allows DataChem to Blend Expensive P-5 In-House in Their Dynamic Gas Blender
Since 1999, Sierra has had an invisible but very important role in helping DataChem test for these toxins in their gas chromatograph, and in doing so, helped them substantially cut operating costs and add to their bottom line. Eight years ago, 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. These toxins attach to the P-5 gas. Steve decided to make an important cost-saving decision and installed Sierra in his dynamic gas blender. The Side-Trak 830 thermal mass flow meter accurately measures the argon flow rate based on demand, and the 840 mass flow controller injects the 5% methane into the batch--5% of the mass flow rate of argon, maintaining a consistent gas ratio. This innovative, cost-saving solution fueled by Sierra is still used today by Vern Bolinder, the Senior Engineering Manager for the same gas chromatography lab. He inherited the operating responsibilities for Sierra's 830 and 840 from Steve and is also very pleased. According to Vern, Sierra does the job and is "very accurate and has fast response".
With over thousands of successful gas flow control applications and over 25 years of experience, Sierra's 830 and 840 continue to work together to create the perfect gas blending solution. The 830 Side-Trak is engineered to precisely measure the mass flow rate of process gases, and the 840's built-in servo-control valve provides precise, instantaneous control of gas delivery to a batch. This engineering allows DataChem to blend perfect P-5 every time. Like many process gas applications, accuracy is so critical to DataChem's gas blending process that if the ratio of argon to methane rates vary 0.25%, an alarm will sound. Vern is rightly convinced that Sierra performs, but 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. Vern says , its "all good stuff!"
DataChem Saves Money With Sierra
The bottom line is that Sierra's gas blending solution saves DataChem money. From an outside vendor, it costs $123.00 for each cylinder of gas, at 4 cylinders a week, 48 per year. It also costs man hours and time to switch out these cylinders this frequently, which as Vern explained is a "nuisance". Not to mention the accrued cost of wasted P-5 gas left in the cylinders when the technicians switch them out. With Sierra's gas blending expertise, DataChem saves about $50,000 per year, an excellent cost-savings that definatly meets the bottom line.
Sierra's C100 Smart-Trak the next generation upgrade for their 830 and 840s is currently being reviewed by DataChem for making their gas blending capabilities even more efficient.
When Precision Mass Flow Control Matters. Gas Blending Solutions Customized by Sierra.
When Precision Mass Flow Control Matters. Gas Blending Solutions Customized by Sierra.
 Printable Version.
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