Ammonia Sensor:

In this project, we apply the control loop on the ammonia absorber column. Absorber contains
packing in which air and ammonia stream is entering from the bottom of the column while water
is entering from the top of column under the action of gravity. Mass transfer is takes place
between these two stream.

Objective:

The objective to apply the control loop is to reduce the concentration of ammonia from the
air/ammonia stream. The air stream contains 150ppm to 250ppm ammonia concentrations. We
want to reduce the concentration of ammonia less than 50ppm because ammonia in air cause
serious problems on health and environment. The solubility of ammonia in water is maximum at
60◦C. At high temperature material may deteriorates and absorption of ammonia in liquid phase
become low.

Feedback Control loop:

We apply the control loop on ammonia absorber column. We apply feedback control loop in this
system. Feedback control loop measure the output and determine the error from the set point and
than change the input values to meet the required output. In this system we give the value to the
setpoint is 50ppm. We measure the temperature of outlet stream because we cannot measure the
concentration because it is very expensive instrument.

We can also use the electronic concentration transducers that is calibrated to be linear over the
range of 0-250ppm of NH3 and with an output range of 4-20mA. This device has zero time lag.

Manipulated Variables: Flowrate of water

Measured Variables : Outlet concentration of Air Stream

Set point : 50ppm of ammonia in air stream

In feedback control loop, we give the set point to the controller, it measures the value from the
measuring device and compare it with the set point and change the flowrate of water. Final
control element is valves which increase or decrease the water flowrate according to required
concentration.
 Air

Water
 Air/NH3 Stream

Water + NH3
Electronic concentration transducer

Set point=
100-200ppm

Controller

Individual Task 02:

Introduction and background:
In the process industry, we need our process to operate at its best working condition. We want
the purity of components as required. In this way we apply the control loop on our system to
make our process efficient. Control system quality plays an important role in operation
performance. While applying the control on the system, there are three main aspects that should
be taken into consideration.

 Analysis and evaluation of control quality by using modern technologies.

 Finding the improvements and economic benefits related to control system.

 Introducing modern technologies and improve the control loop for a system.

In this process we apply the control loop on packed bed absorption column to get the desired
amount of ammonia in air. Control system helps the system to run in a suitable conditions where
we can get the maximum efficiency of our process. We used three types of controller in chemical
industries.

 Proportional controller

 Proportional integral controller

 Proportional integral derivative controller

In proportional controller, system dynamics does not change. The system has an offset. While in
proportional integral controller, system dynamics change. First order becomes second order and
there is no offset in the system. In proportional derivative controller, system dynamics does not
change and there is oscillations produced in the system.

There are different type of ammonia sensor like solid state and electrochemical sensor. We use

the electronic concentration transducer in ammonia sensor because it gives the concentration

value directly as a function of ammonia reaction with electrolyte solution. Ammonia sensor

have the following characteristics.

Electrochemical Sensors

Concentration range 0-50ppm

0-200ppm

0-1000ppm
 Temperature -40 t0 150 F

Humidity 0-95%

Accuracy +/- 5% of full scale

Response time < 30 seconds

Calibration frequency 1-3 months

Life of sensor 1-3 years

Current Work and Advancements:

Electrochemical ammonia sensors are used to analyze the relationship between the temperature

of air and concentration of ammonia. Electrochemical sensors uses the electrolyte solution and

reacts with ammonia and produce an electric signal that is directly related to concentration.

The capillary diffusion barrier, permeable membrane and filter are control the amount of gas that

is allowed to react with electrolyte solution and keeps the solution from leaking out from the

sensor. The electrode is made of target gas that undergoes oxidation and reduction reaction.

Following are advancements that are taking in electronic concentration transducers. The

materials used in this process are not suitable at high temperatures and have internal temperature

compensation. New technologies have developed that use the material which can tolerate the

high temperatures. These sensors have sensitivity, reproducibility and limited use issues. The use
of nanomaterials in theses sensors is established for effective monitoring and detection of toxic

gases at sup-ppm level. The use of nanomaterial increase the sensitivity, response time and

recovery time.

Limitations:

There are following limitation is electrochemical ammonia sensor.

 The sensitivity of electrochemical sensor decrease with the passage of time due to

degradation of electrode.

 It can easily be contaminated by the gases that are produced in the process.

 Ammonia sensor work with restricted temperatures and have moderate sensitivity.

Conclusions:

Electrochemical sensors are used for the measurement of toxic gases like hydrogen Sulphide and

ammonia. Modern technologies have been developed like nanomaterials and oxygen conducting

electrodes. They enhanced the sensitivity of the ammonia sensor. At this time most of the sensors

include proton electrode due to their stability and high electron transporting property. Materials

that are used in electrodes have also been modified to make the sensor cost effective. We use the

electrochemical sensor due to its high life time and better response time.

References:

1. Arwikar, K. J. (1981). Mass transfer in packed column absorption and multicomponent

distillation.
2. Korotcenkov, G. (2011). Chemical sensors comprehensive sensors technologies. (222
East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017): Momentum Press.
3. Made to measure: A history of analytical instrumentation. (1999). Washington, D.C.:
American Chemical Society
4. Alegret, S., & Merkoçi, A. (2007). Electrochemical sensor analysis. Amsterdam:
Elsevier.