The Inline Shuttle Probe was developed primarily for continuous process monitoring in small pipelines, such as resin transfer lines. With the addition of Garlock seals and heat disapating fins, the shuttle probe is an ideal measurement solution for high-temperature reactions. The most advantageous feature of the shuttle probe is that that the optical path piece can be safely removed from the process without shutting down the line or using an extractor mechanism common with direction insertion probes. The internal optics can be configured for NIR or UV-VIS measurements.
Shuttle Probe Unique and Serviceable Design
The Inline Shuttle Probe consists of two transmission probes connected by a threaded, precision-machined coupler that also functions to accurately set a fixed and reproducible optical pathlength. After coupling, the two transmission probes become a one-piece sensor inserted through the heart of a durable process flange. Carefully engineered gland seals prevent process leakage thus facilitating safe operation. The sample volume where the light interacts with the process, typically referred to as the sample path, can be easily removed from or “shuttled” out of the process by firm but gentle tugs on either end of the probe. By design, the forces are balanced resulting in a negligible ejection force on the probe. Thus the critical cleaning of the optical windows and subsequent probe referencing are possible without having to interrupt the process.
Process-Resistant Construction Improves Service Life
The Shuttle Probe is designed to withstand most process conditions. The body of the probe is built from 316L stainless steel or, by special order, other corrosion-resistant materials. The probe’s sapphire optical windows are sealed to the probe body using a proprietary gold alloy braze technology. These materials are unaffected by most hydrocarbons and polymers. The threads of the precision coupler that determine the probe’s path length and maintain the optical alignment are protected by a double o-ring set. This prevents process material from entering the threaded area and seizing the coupler in place. The process seals are hydraulic style chevron packing glands, doubled for safety. The fiber connection area is conduit-ready and sealed to prevent moisture infiltration into the back end of the probe.
Shuttle Probe Design Features
- Suitable for many process measurements
- Allows for in-process probe cleaning with no disruption
- Easily change probe pathlengths by changing the coupler
- Install a pair of shuttle probes and a coupler in a shuttle probe flange between 2 flanged sections of pipe
- Compatible with a variety of fiber optic analyzers, according to fiber diameter and spectral range
Shuttle Probe Pathlengths and Operating Ranges
- standard Pathlengths: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 37, 50 mm (set by the coupler, custom lengths available on request)
- Typical Optical Transmission is 38% averaged over all wavelengths in the 800 to 1600 nm NIR region
- Temperature Ranges: -20 °C to 260 °C (probe only) (handle maximum 50 °C)
- Pressure Ranges: 0 to 2000 psi (probe only)