Abstract: A contacting-type conductivity sensor includes an electrically-insulative plastic body and a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of conductive electrodes is disposed in the plastic body. Each electrode is constructed of plastic and fused with the electrically-insulative plastic body. A method of manufacturing the conductivity sensor is provided along with a single-use bioreactor employing the sensor.

Abstract: A process analytic device includes a metallic enclosure having electronics disposed therein. The enclosure has an enclosure wall with a reference surface. A plurality of operating rods is provided. Each operating rod is configured to pass through an aperture in the enclosure wall and to cooperate with the enclosure wall to provide a flame quenching pathway. A plurality of electrical switches is provided where each electrical switch is aligned with a respective operating rod, and is mounted a controlled distance from the reference surface. Each operating rod transfers movement to a respective electrical switch through the flame quenching pathway.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide gas detector is provided. The detector includes a metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas sensor having an electrical characteristic that varies with hydrogen sulfide gas concentration. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the metal oxide semiconductor-based hydrogen sulfide gas detector to measure the electrical characteristic. A controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry and is configured to receive an indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor as well as an indication of ambient humidity. The controller is configured to provide a compensated hydrogen sulfide gas concentration output based on the indication of the electrical characteristic of the hydrogen sulfide gas sensor, an indication of ambient temperature, and the indication of ambient humidity.

Abstract: A pH sensing bioreaction system is provided. The system includes a bioreaction container having a plastic wall and a pH sensor attached to the plastic wall. The pH sensor includes a sensor body having a flange that is sealingly attached to the plastic wall. The sensor body has a reference electrolyte therein and a first sensing element disposed in the reference electrolyte. The first sensing element is configured to contact both the reference electrolyte and a sample solution inside the bioreaction container. A second sensing element is positionable into an interior of the bioreaction container. The pH sensor has a plurality of configurations that include a booted configuration in which at least one sensing element is isolated from the interior of the bioreaction container, and a service configuration in which the at least one sensing element is fluidically coupled to the interior of the bioreaction container.

Abstract: An in situ oxygen analyzer having an intrinsically-safe output and a heated probe is provided. The probe is extendable into a source of process gas and has an oxygen sensor and heater disposed therein. The heater is configured to heat the oxygen sensor to a temperature sufficient to operate the oxygen sensor. A housing is coupled to the probe and has first and second chambers. The first chamber is explosion-rated and includes non-intrinsically safe circuitry coupled to the heater to energize the heater. The second chamber contains only intrinsically-safe circuitry that complies with an intrinsically-safe specification. The first and second chambers are isolated from one another. The non-intrinsically-safe circuitry is coupled to the intrinsically-safe circuitry through an energy-limiting isolator.

Abstract: An in situ flue gas analyzer includes a probe extendable into a flue. The probe has a measurement cell providing a signal responsive to a concentration of a gas within the flue. A controller is coupled to the probe and configured to provide an output based on the signal from the measurement cell. A first media access unit is coupled to the controller and is operably coupleable to a first process communication link. The first media access unit is configured to communicate in accordance with an all-digital process communication protocol. A second media access unit is coupled to the controller and is operably coupleable to a second process communication link. The second media access unit is configured to communicate in accordance with a second process communication protocol that is different than the all-digital process communication protocol. The first and second media access units are enabled simultaneously.

Abstract: A process combustion transmitter is provided. The transmitter includes a process probe extendible into a flow of process combustion exhaust. The process probe has a measurement cell and a diffuser that define a chamber within the process probe. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the measurement cell and is configured to provide an indication relative to a combustion process based on an output signal of the measurement cell. A pressure sensor is coupled to the electronic circuitry and is fluidically coupled to the chamber. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide an adjusted calibration based on pressure measured within the chamber during a calibration.

Abstract: A process combustion transmitter is provided. The transmitter includes a process probe extendible into a flow of process combustion exhaust. The process probe has a measurement cell with an operating temperature that is above a flashpoint of process combustion fuel. The process probe includes a heater configured to heat the measurement cell to the operating temperature. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the measurement cell and to the heater. The electronic circuitry is configured to disengage power to the heater once process combustion heat is sufficient to maintain the measurement cell at the operating temperature and thereafter to maintain the heater in a de-energized state.

Abstract: A process analytic device has an input to receive a sample of interest. An analytic detector is operably coupled to receive the sample of interest and to provide an analytic output relative to the sample of interest. A heat pipe is thermally coupled to the analytic detector. In one embodiment, the process analytic device is a process gas chromatograph.

Abstract: A process gas analysis system is provided. The system includes a probe insertable into a source of process gas and having a distal end and a chamber proximate the distal end. A gas sensor is mounted within the chamber and is configured to provide an electrical indication relative to a species of gas. A diffuser is mounted proximate the distal end of the probe and is configured to allow gas diffusion into the chamber. A source of calibration gas is operably coupled to the probe and is configured to supply calibration gas, having a known concentration of the gas species. Electronics are coupled to the sensor and configured to store a pre-calibration process gas concentration and to measure an amount of time (sensor return time) for the sensor response to return to the pre-calibration process gas concentration. The electronics are configured to compare a measured sensor return time with a known-good sensor return time to provide an indication relative to the diffuser.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph includes a sample inlet configured to receive a sample of interest and a carrier gas inlet configured to receive a carrier gas. A plurality of fluid flow valves are operably coupled to the sample inlet and the carrier gas inlet. A detector is operably coupled to the plurality of fluid flow valves and is configured to provide an analytic indication relative to the sample of interest. A controller is operably coupled to the plurality of fluid flow valves and is coupled to memory storing user-configurable information that is accessed by the controller to affect operation of the gas chromatograph.

Abstract: A pneumatic multiport selector valve and analytic instrument employing said valve are provided. The valve includes a base having a mounting surface configured to mount to the analytic instrument. The mounting surface has a plurality of apertures therein for coupling to flow conduits of the analytic instrument. At least one piston plate has a number of apertures therethrough. The apertures are configured to slidably receive respective pistons. Pistons are disposed in respective apertures of the at least one piston plate. A cushion layer is disposed between the at least one piston plate and the base. The cushion layer has a plurality of apertures to allow actuation gas therethrough. A plate clamps the at least one piston plate to the base.

Abstract: A dissolved oxygen sensor for use with a single use-bioreactor/container is provided. The bioreaction vessel includes a plastic wall defining a bioreaction chamber therein, and having an aperture therethrough. A membrane holder is attached to an inner surface of the plastic wall. The membrane holder has a cylindrical portion passing through the aperture. A sensor window membrane is coupled to the membrane holder proximate the aperture. The sensor window membrane has a high oxygen permeability, but forms a water-tight seal with the membrane holder.

Abstract: A planar manifold includes a first, generally planar, layer having a plurality of apertures therethrough. A second layer has a plurality of apertures therethrough. A channel layer defines a plurality of channels therein and is interposed between the first layer and the second layer. At least one channel extends in a direction parallel to a plane of the planar manifold and couples an aperture of the first layer to an aperture of the second layer.

Abstract: A process analytic instrument and tube carrier are provided. The process analytic instrument includes an analytic module having a plurality of inlets and configured to analyze a process gas. The tube carrier is coupled to the analytic module and has a shell defining an interior therein. A plurality of tubes terminates in the tube carrier. At least one of the tubes has an integral flame-quenching pathway and the interior of the shell proximate the integral flame-quenching pathway is filled with a solid.

Abstract: A method of operating a process a combustion analyzer having a measurement cell is provided. The method includes exposing the measurement cell to exhaust of a combustion process where fuel and oxygen are combined in a burner to produce a flame. The measurement cell is heated to a temperature above a flashpoint of the fuel. When a condition is detected, such as a fault or abnormal situation, gas is directed to the measurement cell to form a gaseous barrier between the measurement cell and unburned fuel while the detected condition exists. Once the condition abates, the gas flow is disengaged and process combustion gas measurements are provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a process a combustion analyzer having a measurement cell is provided. The method includes exposing the measurement cell to exhaust of a combustion process where fuel and oxygen are combined in a burner to produce a flame. The measurement cell is heated to a temperature above a flashpoint of the fuel. When a condition is detected, such as a fault or abnormal situation, gas is directed to the measurement cell to form a gaseous barrier between the measurement cell and unburned fuel while the detected condition exists. Once the condition abates, the gas flow is disengaged and process combustion gas measurements are provided.