LiquiSonic® inline analyzer for continuous concentration monitoring of hydrofluoric acid, water and acid soluble oils

SensoTech, the German manufacturer of process analytical technology, and the experts of the U.S. company HF Alkylation Consultants jointly developed an innovative solution for concentration measurement in hydrofluoric acid alkylation units: The LiquiSonic® 40 HF inline analyzer. The measuring system consists of two sensors and one controller, and sets new standards in terms of reliability, robustness, cost-efficiency and user-friendliness. The sensors are installed directly into the existing main pipe of the alkylation unit and simultaneously measure in the process stream the hydrofluoric acid strength, the water content and the concentration of acid soluble oils. The measurement accuracy is ± 0.05 wt% and the installation does not require a bypass. For the inline concentration measurement, a sonic velocity sensor and a density sensor are used, that are Ex-certified and made of corrosion resistant material (Hastelloy C276). The rugged design has neither moving parts nor windows to the process, so the sensors operate maintenance-free. The analyzer provides stable measurement results. Drift-free. And updated every second.

The real-time information will be provided online to the process control system. The LiquiSonic® controller visualizes and stores the data completely. Installing and operating the controller can take place in a safe area. Remote access options allow the operation from the laboratory or the PC at the workplace, for example. Via 4-20 mA, digital outputs, serial interfaces, fieldbus or Ethernet, the controller can be integrated into the network and process control system.

Using the LiquiSonic® 40 HF inline analyzer directly in the process, engineers are able to recognize deviations from reference values immediately, and so countermeasures can be taken in time. This reduces risks and improves the unit’s operation stability. The analytical technology detects continuously and precisely contaminants such as water or acid soluble oils in the feedstocks and enables an optimum product quality with minimum hydrofluoric acid consumption, and a risk mitigation of acid runaways, corrosion and leaks. Compared to alternative analytical techniques such as laboratory analysis or atline analyzers, the LiquiSonic® inline analytical technology provides better response times and higher safety standards, and involves lower investment costs and no risk of leakages.