New Foxboro flow-through conductivity sensors improve accuracy, reduce cost of high purity liquid measurement

New Foxboro flow-through conductivity sensors improve accuracy, reduce cost of high purity liquid measurement

Invensys Process Systems has introduced a compact, non-invasive conductivity sensor for high purity measurement in low volume liquid applications. The Foxboro FT10 Electrodeless Conductivity sensor features patent-pending technology for highly accurate conductivity sensing; and a flow-through design for reduced operational and maintenance costs.

To facilitate high purity applications, the FT10 is equipped with virgin PFA Teflon-wetted materials and leak-free weld connections, which eliminate internal threads, O-rings and gasket seals. For low volume, small line size liquid applications, the FT10 is available with Teflon tube sizes of ½", ¾" or 1", and can measure process fluids with temperatures up to 140 degrees C (284 degrees F); with pressures up to 100 psig.

The compact FT10 sensor housing measures 7" x 5" x 2", and is constructed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The FT10 can be installed as an integral part of the process piping, or surface mounted, and is ideally suited for demanding applications in the semiconductor, specialty chemical, electronic and LED industries, and selected pharmaceutical applications. These include measurement of high-purity, and/or concentrations of aggressive chemicals such as hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acids; ammonium hydroxide; and tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide.

"Accurate measurement of high purity fluids has traditionally involved expensive devices available from only a few sources. The FT10 now offers a cost effective alternative," says Joseph Downey, marketing director, Foxboro Measurements & Instruments Division of Invensys. "The FT10 combines a proven flow-through design with advanced conductivity sensing technology, for accurate high purity sensing across the full range of conductivity, while minimizing operational and maintenance costs," says Downey.
The Foxboro FT10 flow-through design allows the process fluid to pass through an opening in the sensor, thus eliminating the need to insert probes into the process line. As the fluid passes through the sensor, conductivity is measured with Foxboro's patent-pending, multi-toroid technology. The primary toroid induces electric current in the process fluid. The voltage created is detected by secondary toroids and is converted to a conductivity measurement. The multi-toriod design allows the FT10 to accurately measure the full scale of conductivity, ranging from 0 to 2000 mS/cm.

The FT10 flow-through design reduces maintenance requirements and costs, since neither the sensing element nor the housing contacts fluid. The Foxboro FT10 also can be calibrated in line to improve production efficiencies and further reduce maintenance costs. Invensys also offers the Foxboro EP485 series precision resistance calibration plug, which permits a high accuracy calibration of the FT10 without a decade resistance box.

For more information on the Foxboro FT10 Electrodeless Conductivity Sensor, readers can contact their local Invensys/Foxboro representative, visit the Foxboro Measurements and Instruments Web Site at www.foxboro.com/instrumentation or call 866-746-6477 (508-549-2424 outside the U.S. and Canada). The Foxboro FT10 Electrodeless Conductivity Sensor can also be purchased on-line at www.buyautomation.com.