ABB MEASUREMENT & ANALYTICS NGC8209 Natural gas chromatograph

ABB MEASUREMENT & ANALYTICS   NGC8209 Natural gas chromatograph

Measurement made easy

The NGC8209. the C9+ natural gas

chromatograph, performs on-site

natural gas analysis and heating

value computation using an

extended analysis.

On-line chromatograph techniques are used to provide

N₂ through C6+ data while a third column train is used

to separate the C6+ fraction. The NGC8209 utilizes the

modular and scaleable XSeries software framework to

integrate data from a third analysis train into the

standard C6+ analysis of the Natural Gas. The extra

chromatographic information is provided as NC6s,

NC7s, NC8s and C9+ to provide this extended analysis.

Heating value (CV), Wobbe, Relative Density (SG) and

other calculations are performed using the combined

analysis data in a similar manner to the NGC 8206.

Hydrocarbon Dew Point (HCDP) and Speed of Sound

(SOS) calculations are available options.

A single computer controller seamlessly processes all

this data for various outputs. It also handles the stream

switching and the timing for the sample. Incorporating

a built-in 32 bit digital controller, three electronic

carrier pressure regulators, oven-mounted sensors and

advanced low-noise digital electronics, the NGC8209

performs with unparalleled repeatability and

sensitivity. The NGC8209 provides custody transfer/

metrology quality Chromatography for heating value

and composition measurement. It provides the user

with a GC that is lower in cost, easier to install and

commission, and less costly to operate

Standard features

Modular design includes

• Three analysis trains, two for N₂ through C6+ and one for

the C6 through C9+

• Modular software: application-based plug-in software

modules

• Manifold modules

• Analysis sections contain stream selection solenoids,

temperature and pressure regulation, 32 bit digital

detector electronics, replaceable column / valve modules

and a low power 32 bit digital controller, using Windows

CE® (internal to GC unit)

• Microsoft Windows® based man-machine interface

software (PCCU)

• Lithium battery-backed RAM

• Two remote serial digital communications ports; one local

port (USB Client)

• One USB Host and one Ethernet port

• Comprehensive diagnostics and wizards available to users

• Three-level security for user access control (Read only,

Operate and Read/Write)

• Audit-quality historical data, date and time stamped

Standard calculations

• US and SI:

–Heating value

–Relative density

–GPM

–Wobbe

–Methane-number

• Auto-start cycle automatically after power failure:

–Stabilizes oven temperature

–Confirms modules’ functions

–Checks for operational alarms

–Returns to pipeline streams

• Operational alarms available with each analysis cycle

• Detectors: constant temperature, glass encapsulated

thermister beads for rugged service and long life. Will not

burn out on loss of carrier.

• 10 port valves have no moving metal parts in each analysis

unit

• Low utility usage: low-power, low-carrier, no instrument air

required

• On demand or scheduled automatic calibration and

diagnostics

• Continuous monitoring for alarms

• On board digital ¼ VGA display with multiple screen access

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Standard options

• Sample Conditioning Modules

• Calculation packages (eg, Hydrocarbon Dew point via SRK

and Peng-Robinson, including 4 pressures and the

Cricondentherm)

• SD memory cards for raw chromatogram storage

• Feed-Through heater for colder operations or high dew

point gas sampling

Description

The NGC8209 analyzes each sample utilizing established

chromatographic techniques. The resulting information

consists of mole percent values for the following:

Using process chromatographic techniques, the columns are

back flushed so that the NGC8209 measures a C3+, C6+, and

a C9+ peak. The rest of the analyzed components are carried

through the columns and the detectors where integration

takes place. Composition results and calculated values are

then stored in memory and communicated to other devices

as needed. All of these values as well as composition are

available on various Modbus communication protocols

Installation

The NGC8209 is a weatherproof device designed for

installation on the pipe near to the sampling point. This

means it is acceptable to mount outside in a temperature

range of 0 °F to 130 °F (-18 °C to 55 °C), onto a pipeline with 2"

to 12" pipe sizes or with an optional pole mount

configuration. A cold weather enclosure is also available if

ambient conditions are below either the sampled gas dew

point or the operational specifications of the unit. If ambient

temperatures are expected to exceed 130°F (55°C) we

recommend installing a sun shade.

—

Sample conditioning system

The integral stream selector for the NGC8209 allows sampling

up to four (4) different natural gas streams. Up to two of

these sample streams can be designated as the calibration/

validation sample. Optional sample conditioning modules are

available to address natural gas streams that need additional

filtering and speed loops to reduce sample transport lag

times.

—

Operator interface

Functional setup and operation of the NGC8209 is

accomplished by using a graphical user interface software

package called PCCU (supplied with each unit) operating on a

laptop PC in a Microsoft Windows® environment. PCCU,

software designed specifically for the NGC8209. provides a

powerful tool for operations, diagnostics, and downstream

data handling. The PC can be directly connected to the

NGC8209 via an RS-232. USB, or Ethernet connection, or

indirectly by remote telemetry (phone modem, radio, cell

phone, satellite, etc.). The user is prompted through

pushbuttons, dropdown boxes, wizards, and dialog boxes for

setup, operations, data collection and monitoring.

In addition, the unit has a ¼ VGA interactive display screen

allowing the user to access basic analysis data and perform

basic operations.

—

Maintenance

The NGC8209 was designed to be maintained by personnel

with little or no prior knowledge of Gas Chromatography.

Both hardware and software are designed to provide low

maintenance through easily replaceable electromechanical

modules such as:

• NGC termination panel

• NGC analytical module, an easily removable chromatograph

subassembly, containing:– NGC manifold– Stream selector solenoid valves– GC module– Dual electronic carrier–

 Pressure regulator valves– Chromatograph pilot valve– NGC analytical processor

• NGC feed-through (heater optional)

• Sample conditioning module (SCM)

• NGC controller (32 bit Processor)

—

Other maintenance support features

• Intuitive Local Operator Interface (PCCU 32) running

Microsoft Windows® environment

• Diagnostic software and wizards for maintenance

• Diagnostic file output system for e-mail support

• Digitized detector output (chromatogram) to PCCU

• Remote or local operation of PCCU

• Quick Start Guide and User Manual

Historical data

The NGC8209 is designed to retain historical data. This data

can be used for custody transfer needs, to verify transmitter

operation over time, and to provide a limited data backup for

communication link reliability. The user is allowed to

configure the period of the data retained by the NGC8209 via

the Operator Interface.

The default¹ memory configuration provides the most recent

480 analysis cycles containing:

• Normalized components

• Un-normalized components

• Ideal Btu/CV

• Real Btu (wet and dry) / CV (superior and inferior)

• Relative density (specific gravity)

• Density

• GPM

• Wobbe index

• HCDP

• Alarms

The default¹ stream averages is 840 hours, 35 days, and 14

months of data analyses. This data can be used to evaluate

performance:

• Selected peak times

• Selected peak areas

• Ideal Btu/CV

• Individual component mol %

(Diagnostics report):

• Carrier regulator pressure

• Oven temperature

• Ambient temperature

• Sample pressure

• Detector noise values

• Detector balance values

Audit logs (default¹)

• Last 480 alarms

• Last 480 events

Data retained by the NGC8209 can be collected via a remote

communication link or by the laptop PC local operator

interface PCCU.

1  The default memory configuration will provide for the data storage

above. The user may reallocate the memory that is available.

Available accessories

• 120/240 V AC to 12 V DC power supply

• 120/240 V AC to 24 V DC power supply

• Pole or pipeline mounting kits

• Cold weather enclosure (also available in pipe mount

configuration)

• Modular Sample System Conditioner options for– Non-pipeline quality natural gas sample– Up to 450 LC/min speed loops

• Probes– Temperature compensating fixed– Temperature compensating retractable– Liquid rejection– Electrically heated, retractable

• Regulators (carrier and calibration blend)

• Start-up calibration/validation gas sample (±2% blend)

• Carrier Gas: 99.995% pure helium (chromatographic grade)

• 1 GB SD card

• Export crating

• Tool kit

• Welker and A+ Corp. liquid shut-offs

• Various maintenance kits

• Customer factory acceptance test (FAT)

Specifications

• Meet or exceeds GPA 2261-99 for linearity

• Four stream capability. Manual calibration required with 4

sample streams.

• Single auto calibration stream and 3 sample streams, or a

max of 2 auto calibration streams and 2 sample streams