Reservoir Fluids Field Services

1 Milestone DMA-1 Mercury Analyser

Equipment Data Sheet No. MAN02

The Milestone DMA-1 is a direct mercury analyser which enables on-site sampling and analysis of solid, liquid,
and gas samples. A dual cell spectrophotometer affords the analyst an extremely wide working range of
0.005ng – 1200ng. In other words – run samples ranging from single digit ppb to high-level ppm on one
instrument - without any dilution.

Sampling for solid and liquid samples are undertaken in compliance with ASTM D4057, and are introduced to the
DMA-1 without any sample preparation required. Gas samples can be sampled directly or collected into inert
tedlar bags and then subject to an extraction process. This process uses quartz vials filled with Milestones
Adsoquick pellets, the Adsoquick selectively traps and concentrates the mercury present in the gas while
hydrocarbons will pass right through, eliminating interferences. Two tubes are used in series to check for
mercury breakthrough from the first tube and the volume of gas is measured using a calibrated gas meter.

The DMA-1 combines the techniques of thermal decomposition, catalytic conversion, amalgamation, and atomic
absorption spectrophotometry. Controlled heating stages are implemented to first dry and then thermally
decompose a sample introduced into a quartz tube. A continuous flow of oxygen carries the decomposition
products through a catalyst bed where interferences are trapped. All mercury species are reduced to elemental
Hg and are then carried along to a gold amalgamator where the mercury is selectively trapped. The system is
purged and the amalgamator is subsequently heated which releases all mercury vapours to the single beam,
fixed wavelength atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Here, absorbance measured at 253.7nm is proportional
to mercury content in the sample, which is recalculated based on the volume of gas used for the extraction.

The Milestone DMA-1 is capable of field and lab based measurements and is shipped as a complete kit to the
worksite in a custom built protective case together with all required consumables and spares. The analyser is
calibrated on-site with an aqueous certified calibration standard removing the difficulties and hazards associated
with an elemental mercury standard calibration. All activities are undertaken in accordance with SGS standard
operating procedures and comply with US EPA method 7473 (Mercury in solids and solutions by thermal
decomposition, amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry), with ASTM method D-6722-01 (Total
mercury in coal and coal combustion residues) and ASTM method D-7623-10 (Total mercury in crude oil).
Measurement of mercury in gas samples is compliant with the Milestone application note DMA1/PE7 Method.

Mercury Kit Packed in Transit Case

Milestone DMA-1 Analyser

Milestone DMA-1 Mercury Analyser 1 of 3

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Technical Specification

Sample Types Solids, liquids and gas

Working Range:
• For Solids and Liquids Low range: 0 to 20ng; High range: 20 to 1500ng
• For Gases (1L Sample Volume) Low range 0.05 to 20µg/m3; high range 20 to 1500µg/m3

Analysis Process
• Sample Treatment Thermal decomposition
• Drying Programmable temperature and time
• Ashing > 700°C, programmable temperature and time
• Catalyst Metal oxide catalyst on heavy metal base
• Hg enrichment Amalgamator on gold support

Detector
• Detector Type UV enhanced photo-diodes
• Detection Limit 0.003ng Hg (dual-cell)
• Light Source Low pressure mercury lamp
• Wavelength 253.65nm

Precision / Reproducibility Less than 1.5% (from 5ng Hg absolute)

DMA-1 dimensions
• Instrument 725x355x280mm (HxWxD) @ 26.7kg
• Packed in Transit Case 730x1020x600mm (HxWxD) @ 65kg

Instrument Requirements
• Power Supply 230V (+15%/–20%); 50Hz, 110V (+15%/–20%); 60Hz
• Carrier Gas Bottled Air, 200Bar,
• working pressure 3-4Bar
• Flow rate 8 +/- 1l/h

Method Compliance
• Gases Milestone application note DMA1/PE7
• Liquids US EPA 7473, ASTM D7623-10
• Solids US EPA 7473, ASTM D6722-01

*All specifications are provided for guidance only and are subject to change without notice.
All brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and third party entities.

Milestone DMA-1 Mercury Analyser 2 of 3

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Milestone DMA-1 Mercury Analyser 3 of 3