PROLINE
PROCESS INSTRUMENTS
Measuring Volatile Organics at Fracking Sites
AMETEK’s ProLine Process Mass
Spectrometer provides fast online
analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC’s) in fracking site waste water and
ambient environments. With multiple
sampling points and easy operation,
the ProLine will be your choice as the
front line tool for EPA environmental
compliance.
Process Overview
The hydraulic fracturing process
(fracking) has proven itself to be
invaluable in the releasing of trillions
of BTU’s of heretofore inaccessible
energy. The process requires millions
of gallons of chemically treated water
to be pumped into a well under high
pressure. This chemically treated
water creates micro-fractures in the
rock strata which allows the natural
gas (NG) and natural gas liquids
(NGL) to flow from the rock strata
into the well where it is brought
to the surface for processing and
transportation.
Contamination is Always a
Possibility
While every effort is made to contain
the water used for the process after
it is brought to the surface either
for disposal or treatment for re-use,
the sheer amount of the water used
will result in some spillage or tank
overflow that can lead to above and
below ground contamination. In the
past 6 months, the US government
has begun a targeted campaign to
reduce methane emissions in the
United States and fracking sites have
come under particular scrutiny.
The amount of gaseous methane
escaping the site will also become of
interest to the operator because of
the same regulatory concerns. The
multi-point, high-speed sampling
capability of the ProLine process
analyzer allows for up to 32 locations
to be assayed for methane leakage
and reported back to a central data
repository.
As a greenhouse gas, methane
has 21 times the potency of CO2 in
increasing the temperature of the
Earth. And while methane, at present,
only comprises 8% of the current
greenhouse gas load, any activity
that has the potential to increase the
emissions of this gas will come under
ever increasing regulatory pressure.
Membrane Interface Mass
Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry has been used
on-line for more than 30 years
to control and monitor industrial
processes. Membrane Interface Mass
Spectrometry (also called Membrane
Inlet Mass Spectrometry or MIMS) is
a specific technique that allows direct
measurement of liquid streams and is
ideally suited for the analysis of VOCs
in water.
At the heart of the MIMS technique are
the various membrane materials which
mostly block polar compounds (e.g.,
water) while allowing nonpolar species to
migrate through the membrane. Usually
the membrane is a thin sheet or tube of
polydimethylsiloxane, which works well
with VOCs.
This selective extraction of the analyte
from the bulk matrix concentrates the
components-of-interest and delivers
a highly enriched sample directly
to the ion source. Since the mass
spectrometer is already very sensitive,
this technique provides very low limits
of detection.
Figure 1. AMETEK’s ProLine
process mass spectrometer
ProLine for MIMS
Equipped for MIMS operation, the
ProLine process mass spectrometer
uses a polydimethylsiloxane
membrane inlet coupled directly to
its ion source, with a small pump to
ensure constant sample flow across
the membrane. Additional sample
inlets are available as options.
While the speed of the ProLine
facilitates the analysis of multiple
streams, a typical configuration
dedicates one instrument per
holding tank inlet. This provides the
earliest advance notice of stream
contamination and significantly
reduces the cost of heated
sample lines and their associated
maintenance.
The software provides easy set-up,
operation, and calibration together
with advanced alarm and automation
capabilities. Self-diagnostics and
modular design ensure ease of
maintenance by your own personnel
on-site. Modem support is available
for additional factory diagnosis and
troubleshooting.
Data can be exported using all
common industrial protocols as well
as dedicated analog lines to bring
the data to a common point for
collection. Alarms are available for
every stream, along with an “on-thefly” mathematical package allowing
data to be presented in any number of
ways ( mole, %, mg/M3, lbs/hr, etc.).
www.ametekpi.com
Measuring Volatile Organics at Fracking Sites
Traditionally, monitoring process water
required either sending grab samples
to the laboratory for analysis or using
process gas chromatography. MIMS
provides significant advantages over
these traditional analytical methods.
Speed of Analysis
Specific Component Information
Unlike instruments that provide
a “total” reading of VOC levels,
mass spectrometry offers direct
quantification of the species of
interest. A single mass ion can be
chosen specific to each compound
and then these masses can be
continuously monitored. This level
of specificity allows the continuous
speciation of the targeted VOCs and
may reduce, or eliminate, the need
for off-site lab analysis. If a total
VOC number is required, the mass
spectrometer can survey all VOCs,
total them within the software and
output a real-time concentration.
Summary
In addition to monitoring specific ions,
the analyzer can periodically scan for
mass intensities across the operating
range. This will detect the presence
of components other than those
specifically monitored and can provide
advance warning of leaks or other
problems.
The advantages of on-line mass
spectrometry bring a level of
confidence and ease-of-use that can
be offered by no other technique.
 Multi point fugitive emissions
detection
 Early warning of possible
corrosion leaks
Direct Analysis of the Sample
Stream
 Substantial savings in lost
product cost
Unlike sparging techniques which
must take into account the flow
rates into and out of the sparger
to establish accurate volumes for
correct concentration determination,
MIMS simply requires an appropriate
liquid standard for calibration. These
standards are readily available and
are introduced to the instrument in the
same way as the sample stream itself.
In this way, a very high correlation
develops between the calibration
method and the actual sampling event
- an absolute necessity for generating
consistent, meaningful data.
 Data necessary for compliance
with emissions regulations
 Detection of abnormal conditions
 Ease of maintenance and
calibration
 Scan for leaks and other process
components
 Multicomponent analysis
(up to 32)
 Real-time differential
measurement for highest quality
effluent analysis
For ambient air analysis, the
instrument is calibrated using
NIST traceable gas standards. All
calibrations are automatic and are
programmed according to a schedule
set by the customer.
IN
Dimethylsilicone
Membrane
VOC Molecule
Water Molecule
To Mass
Spectrometer
Figure 2. Membrane Inlet System
The liquid sample passes through a heated section and is delivered to the
membrane at a controlled temperature. VOCs and other nonpolar compounds
will pass through the membrane to the ion source of the mass spectrometer,
effectively increasing the concentration of the analyte.
OUT
Membrane
Inlet
Mass Spectrometer
Source
SALES, SERVICE AND MANUFACTURING:
USA - Pennsylvania
150 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh PA 15238 • Tel: +1-412-828-9040, Fax: +1-412-826-0399
USA - Delaware
455 Corporate Blvd., Newark DE 19702 • Tel: +1-302-456-4400, Fax: +1-302-456-4444
150 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Ph. +1-412-828-9040, Fax +1-412-826-0399
www.ametekpi.com
© 2015, by AMETEK, Inc.
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
F-0436 Rev. 3 (0115)
Canada - Alberta
2876 Sunridge Way N.E., Calgary AB T1Y 7H2 • Tel: +1-403-235-8400, Fax: +1-403-248-3550
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One of a family of innovative process analyzer solutions from AMETEK Process Instruments.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
™
Mass spectrometry is generally a very
rapid analytical method. Quadrupolebased instruments, like the ProLine,
produce the fastest results. Even
when taking into consideration delays
for stream switching, a MIMSequipped ProLine provides data at
about one minute per sample stream.
This is generally 10 to 50 times faster
than gas chromatography where
separation must be performed prior to
analysis.
Ability to Scan for Unknowns
PROLINE
Mass Spectrometry and VOCs