Growing success

Recognising the importance of a happy and healthy workforce is the main driver behind SST Sensing’s approach to developing a flexible working culture. Understanding the needs of employees and how to support them helps nourish relationships on an individual level and also allows this successful business to continue growing. People have a whole range of personal circumstances and challenges to manage out with work; from caring for sick parents, to young children and many more besides. Empowering them to design working patterns that allow for a better work life balance helps to ensure they feel valued and supported. This also results in reduced absenteeism, improves morale and motivation, which ultimately enhances the performance of the business. Good for the people and good for the business.

Being a modern, forward-thinking company, finding new and innovative ways to support employees is seen as an investment for the future at SST Sensing. Here are some of the things we do to help make SST Sensing a great place to work:

Winning insights

9-day working fortnight, every second Friday is non-working day for operational staff

Compressed hours contracts reducing days worked in week

Holidays converted from days to hours increase flexibility

Term time holidays

Option to return to full time hours once children are above school age offering more financial security

Accommodating school runs and caring responsibilities with flexible start and finish times

Phased reduction in working hours easing into retirement

Living wage salary recognition with an annual increase and twice-yearly bonus scheme

Cash award recognising long service with increased annual leave

Extra weeks holiday plus one week’s salary as company wedding gift

Private healthcare and life insurance for all staff

Time to make some more space on the wall🏆… #TopEmployer2019 pic.twitter.com/gxY1y3QBkk

— SST Sensing Ltd (@SSTSensingLtd) March 21, 2019

SCR systems have created a paradigm shift for vehicle operation. Put simply, the way vehicles cannot function when their fuel tanks are empty is the same way they also cannot function when their Adblue tanks are empty.

The ability to detect the presence or absence of AdBlue in the storage tank is, therefore, critical to the SCR system’s performance and to ensure compliance.

AdBlue level sensors take away any guesswork. These sensors determine the level of fluid in the tank and relay the information to the control unit. Depending on the input, the control unit:

• allows the vehicle to operate normally,
• returns a warning message to the driver in a visual (gauge) or audible alert, or
• limits the vehicle’s performance, thereby stalling operation or reducing productivity until the AdBlue tank is topped up.

Since AdBlue consumption in heavy-duty vehicles is about 3-5% of total fuel consumption levels, a simple guideline is for users to fill up their AdBlue tank whenever the diesel tank is filled. And where there are no AdBlue filling stations, it’s recommended to carry along a top-up container.

A level switch detects when a liquid, here AdBlue, has reached a predefined minimum level and it acts as a switch to activate a response. Integrated with the electronic control unit of the vehicle, the response could be the sounding of an alarm or the limiting of the vehicle’s performance.

1. Provide immediate notification about the Adblue tank level to induce the user to fill up when necessary.
2. Easy to install due to its simple and flexible design, saving assembly time.
3. Easy to integrate into a wide variety of materials and structures without requiring significant changes to a tank’s design or placement due to their cylindrical geometry and compact size.
4. Have high sensitivity and sensor accuracy and can detect small amounts of fluid.
5. Are solid state with no moving parts, and completely passive having no chemical interaction with Adblue.
6. Are digital with complete separation between fluid and electrical parts for longevity.
7. Are available with probe style sensors, ideal for automotive connectors (superseal).
8. Can be configured to suit your unique application, please contact us for further details including:
   • high pressure options
   • customization for AC supply
   • OEM sensors for very high volumes
   • high power output drive options for direct control of machinery (pumps, relays, indicators, motors) to eliminate the use of an intermediate controller

Recognised as a global leader of advanced gas and fluid sensor technology, SST Sensing Ltd offers a comprehensive range of oxygen measurement sensor solutions. In this article, we are going to explore SST’s A to Z guide of the sensor industry, from Boiler Efficiency and Quality Assurance to ppm and UAV’s.

Full infographic can be downloaded at the bottom of the article.

A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z

Recognised as a leading supplier of advanced gas and fluid sensor technology, SST Sensing Ltd offers a comprehensive range of oxygen measurement sensor solutions.

Complementing the company’s high-performance Zirconium Dioxide product offering, the LuminOx family uses proprietary solid-state technology to deliver sensors with the cost effectiveness found in legacy electrochemical oxygen sensors, but with a series of key additional benefits.

The optically-based, factory calibrated LuminOx sensors rely on luminescence quenching by Oxygen. Pulsed light is directed onto an oxygen-sensitive fluorescent dye causing it to fluoresce. The rate at which this fluorescence decays is inversely proportional to the amount of oxygen present in the vicinity.

Oxygen detection has historically relied on conventional oxygen sensors such as electrochemical measurement mechanisms which rely on an electrolyte which is consumed over a short period of time. Typical feedback on the lifetime customers get from an electrochemical sensor tends to be around 2 years before needing replacing. This type of technology is a self-degrading, galvanic cell that operates like a metal/air battery. They are constantly depleting in the presence of oxygen and lifetime is generally restricted by the liquid electrolyte and consumable lead anode.

A key advantage to the LuminOx sensor family is that the technology has no lead components and exposure to oxygen does not deplete the fluorescent dye.

The LuminOx oxygen sensors can be installed in applications for a much longer period of time than competing oxygen sensors in this price bracket. The stated lifetime for these sensors is 5 years.

LuminOx has minimal cross sensitivity with other gases as luminescence quenching by oxygen is highly selective. Electrochemical sensors generally come with a list of cross-sensitive gases.

Electrochemical sensors are sensitive to temperature and therefore require external compensation, using hardware or software methods. LuminOx is fully compensated for temperature and barometric pressure. Not only does LuminOx measure and compensate for temperature, but its RS232 serial communication interface allows the gas temperature and pressure to be measured and transmitted along with the oxygen value – an added bonus.

The LuminOx oxygen sensor family is used in various applications, in the medical, industrial and transportation markets. The measuring tasks fall into three main categories. Controlling of low oxygen levels, maintaining ambient oxygen levels and prevention of oxygen depletion.

Typical applications for Optical Oxygen Sensors include:

• Controlled atmosphere/storage of perishable goods

• Incubators and other hypoxic life science products

• Biogas monitoring

• Oxygen depletion alarm, area monitoring

• Altitude training rooms

• Ambient air monitoring

• Beverage nitrogen generators

• Portable/remote datalogging

A common application for SST’s LuminOx optical oxygen sensors is within the medical market for live cell microscopy in hypoxic environments. LuminOx is successfully being used in IVF incubators to monitor lower oxygen levels which assists in increasing the number of successful embryo fertilisations.

Keeping perishables fresh and ripe during transportation is a challenge. The LuminOx optical oxygen sensors are currently used in storage containers that ship perishables from one end of the globe to the other. The sensors ensure the oxygen and temperature levels are maintained at a low level to assist in preventing the ripening of goods during transportation. This process maintains the quality, look and taste of the fruit for it arriving at its final destination.

“The LuminOx family is significantly more resilient to environmental effects than electrochemical oxygen sensors, with the ability to deal with wider operating temperatures, as well as rapid changes in pressure. As a result, they provide the market with a much more stable oxygen sensing solution that combines low cost, minimal power consumption and simple installation with longer life and full RoHS compliance from the outset.”

– Paddy Shannon, SST Sensing’s Technical Director.

If you would like more information about using one of our advanced optical level switches in your application, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

When starting your search for a level switch, it is first of all very important to understand the difference between a level switch and a level sensor.

There are many different level sensing technologies to choose from on the market today, some of which have been around for decades, operating in industries such as food and beverage, manufacturing, automotive and white goods.

In this article we will cover the main differences and things to consider when making your selection of a point level switch or continuous level sensor.

1. Operating Principle

Level Switch:

A level switch is a device that detects the presence or absence of fluid when a certain predefined level is reached. For the most part, they work as an on/off switch to engage a function when the tank or vessel level either rises or falls to a certain level. This could be to sound an alarm or to engage a piece of equipment. Essentially, the switch detects when the liquid has reached the desired point and it acts as a switch to activate the necessary response.

Level Sensor:

A continuous level sensor is required when it is necessary to measure every possible intermediate level of a tank or vessel, otherwise known as continuous level measurement. This means the sensor provides feedback regardless of the level of the liquid.

2. Measuring Task

Level Switch:

A level switch is generally intended for processes where high or low levels need to be monitored. Preventing overfills, run dry situations and leaks.

Level Sensor:

A continuous level sensor relay the exact level of fluid to be monitored. Ideally suited for processes where increased precision is necessary and for applications where knowing the level is important.

3. Environmental Factors

In addition to distinguishing between a continuous level sensor or point level switch, there are several environmental factors that can determine which type of sensor will work best for the application. Factors such as:

4. Types of Level Sensors and Point Level Switches

Even although most level sensor technologies fit into these two main categories (continuous level sensors or point level switches) there are many different types of devices to choose from within each category, suitable for the never-ending list of applications.

Optical Point Level Switches from SST Sensing

SST Sensing is one of the world leaders in optical level sensing technology. We supply an extensive range of optical sensors which we have massive success in sectors as varied as food and beverage processing, off high-way vehicle fuel and coolant level monitoring, leak detection in telecom and automation equipment.

If you would like more information about using one of our advanced optical level switches in your application, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

This blog post will show how flue gas sensors can improve boiler efficiency while exploring some of the products available from SST Sensing that are capable of optimizing combustion processes for biomass, coal, natural gas, and oil-burning boiler systems.

All combustion processes require the correct air to fuel ratio of fuel and oxygen. Incomplete combustion creates fuel waste, an increased level of toxic emissions and potential damage, affecting the overall performance and operational costs of the boiler system. Environmental and financial impacts can be significant.

Avoiding Incomplete Combustion with SST’s Oxygen Gas Sensors

The overheads of fuel consumption are high in large scale industrial and commercial boilers and furnaces. In order to see return of investment and keep running costs to a minimum, the operation must be kept at peak efficiency.

Complete combustion requires the ideal ratio of fuel to air. This process is optimised and maintained by measuring the output oxygen level of the exhaust/flue gas by using an oxygen gas sensor in a closed loop feedback system to the boiler controller for regulating the input mix.  This is especially useful when the quality of fuel supplied may vary (i.e. gases from different sources).

Provided the air flow and the temperature is sufficient, the fuel will release high levels of energy while waste carbon molecules are oxidized to form gaseous compounds of low toxicity. This can be assured using flue gas sensors capable of monitoring the levels of oxygen released from the furnace.

Advanced gas sensors like the OXY-Flex Oxygen Analyser from SST Sensing, can eliminate elements of inefficiency from your boiler system by measuring the level of oxygen in flue gases and feeding data back to the boiler controller. This enables in situ monitoring of combustion boiler efficiency and regulation of the fuel and air flow input ratios to optimize combustion in real-time.

The gas sensor uses a zirconium dioxide sensing element that can readily withstand the extreme temperatures of boiler flues up to a maximum operating temperature of 400°C (752°F). It can be configured to three distinct output measuring ranges which can be communicated via 4-20mA,0-10Vdc and RS232 outputs through a closed-loop system. This non-depleting oxygen gas sensor provides peace of mind for boiler operators with a service life of up to 10 years.

If you would like any more information about using our gas sensors for boiler optimization, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

With reference to the above section of Annex II of the MCPD, it is imperative that plants are accurately monitoring emissions and these emissions must be monitored at certain conditions, including specific oxygen levels.

Carefully monitoring oxygen and controlling the boiler/ O₂ trim can effectively reduce your NOx emissions.

SST Sensing’s Gas Analysis Probe (GAP)

Air contains about 20.9% oxygen. It is the primary source of oxygen for combustion. The amount of oxygen remaining after combustion is an indication of how much air is present during the combustion. Too little air in the combustion prevents all the fuel from being burned; wasting fuel and creating a potential for explosion. Conversely, too much air (excess air) requires extra heat to maintain the combustion reaction.

The availability of the extra nitrogen found in excess air and the additional heat required to maintain combustion temperatures are favourable conditions for the formation of thermal NOx.

It is necessary to keep some excess air for safe and efficient boiler operation; fuel has surface area, and takes time to burn. Keeping the excess air volume near and slightly above stoichiometric values for the particular fuel minimizes the formation of NOx, and keeps fuel usage at a minimum.

It is a general rule of thumb that a 10% increase in excess air will increase fuel usage by 1%. The fuel usage is greatly increased when the boiler is operating in oxygen deficient conditions. Too much excess air has implications on boiler fuel usage and safety, but also on emissions, specifically related to the creation of NOx.

Variations in the burning process require minor changes to the fuel / air mixture to maintain the correct ratio and efficient boiler operation. The process of adjusting the fuel or air is called boiler/O₂ trim. It is critical, for safety and efficiency, to know the amount of oxygen in the process.

Common types of extraction O₂ measurement are electrochemical cell and paramagnetic, but given the constraints of ash, lag time, and moisture content in the flue gas, these types of measurements can be problematic when used for continuous boiler process control.

SST Sensing offer Zirconia O₂ measurement devices that continuously measure oxygen content near the combustion zone which allows the measurement to be taken directly into the flue gas without extraction.