Oxygen & Binary Gas Analyzers

XTC601 Binary Gas Analyzer

Thermal Conductivity Technology in Safe or Hazardous Areas
A robust, linear and stable thermal conductivity analyzer for measurement of binary gas mixes such
as air in hydrogen, nitrogen, argon, helium or carbon-dioxide. The sensor is housed in a rugged
casing, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. When the flame arrestors are fitted, the
analyzer becomes explosion-proof and suitable for hazardous areas.

Highlights Applications
• Suitable for use in ATEX, IECEx, TC TR Ex & CCSAUS • Hydrogen coolant in electricity turbines
certified Hazardous Areas
• Product quality in air separation plants
• Optional status LEDs following NAMUR standard
• Syngas production
• Compact and rugged design with an EExd enclosure and
• Helium recovery
4-20 mA output
• Fuel cell research
• Touch-screen display allows calibration or adjustment
without the need for a hot works permit • Gasification
• Accuracy of better than ±2% full scale • Product quality such as air in argon for double glazing
• IP66 rated enclosure • Can be coupled with an XTP601 for measuring oxygen in
varying backgrounds
• Low cost of ownership due to minimal maintenance
• Ar or He in food and beverage plants
• Ranges available: 0-5 up to 0-100%
• Stability ±0.5% per month (of span)

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Oxygen & Binary Gas Analyzers

Biogas Plant

Michell XTC601 Thermal Conductivity Analyzer for Safe or

Hazardous Areas
The XTC601 binary gas analyzer is designed to measure the walking back and forth to the control room) for maintenance
percentage of a selected gas in a binary mix. Using thermal or diagnostics.
conductivity with high quality thermistors, the sensor is
External Sensor Input
reliable and highly stable. The analyzer is housed in an
explosion-proof case and is rated ATEX Cat II for use in The unit has the facility to accept a 4-20 mA signal from an
hazardous areas. For installation in non-hazardous areas, a external source such as dew point sensor, temperature probe
general purpose version is available. or user-defined sensor, and display it on the screen. This
saves the cost of buying and installing an external display
Features for another parameter that only requires occasional visual
High Sensor Stability Reduces Calibration Costs inspection.
The sensor in Michell’s XTC601 binary gas analyzer largely
eliminates drift associated with other comparable devices,
Technology
improving the stability of the measurement. This allows Thermal Conductivity Sensor
longer calibration intervals and reduces both labor and Thermal conductivity (TC) is a property of all gases. This
consumable costs. can be exploited as each gas has a different TC value and is
used to determine the level of one gas in a binary or pseudo-
Reliable Long-Term Performance
binary mix. Air is a good example of a pseudo binary mix as it
The thermal conductivity sensor has no moving parts, and is
has a fixed proportion of oxygen and nitrogen (both with very
therefore not affected by vibration or movement. This makes
similar thermal conductivities). The analyzer can be supplied
it suitable for offshore and similar installations.
with a fixed or flowing reference.
Non-Depleting Technology
The XTC601 binary gas analyzer utlizes thermal conductivity
The non-depleting sensor technology means that there
technology to accurately measure one of the two gases
is no regular replacement of cells, thus greatly reducing
present in the sample. The instrument is very stable which
maintenance time and the cost of ownership. The cell
gives the user confidence in the measurement. This is
performance is consistent and does not drift as it is not
important in safety applications such as CO2/H2 membrane
consumed by the process.
monitoring.
Easy Installation with Local Display
Measurement Principle
The XTC601 binary gas analyzer provides two 4-20 mA
The measuring principle is via matched thermistors in a
outputs and is housed in a robust and weather-proof
Wheatstone Bridge configuration. One thermistor is in the
casing, allowing the analyzer to be placed at the point of
sample cell and the other is either in a sealed (or flowing)
measurement.
reference chamber. The whole assembly is heated to +50°C
The closer the analyzer can be installed to the sample point, to ensure an iso-thermal environment. This provides an
the better, for many reasons. These include, faster overall accurate and stable platform for measuring the target gas
speed of response (for safety), less sample line or cabling concentration.
(saves cost) greater choice of installation points (flexibility).
Also having a local display does not require two operators (or

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 Oxygen & Binary Gas Analyzers

Flexible Packaging
The XTC601 binary gas analyzer is available in three configurations all with the option of Safe (GP) or Hazardous (EX) Area
classification depending on the individual customer's needs. This allows the user to determine the price to feature ratio that best
suits each installation.

XTC601 (EX1 or GP1) XTC601 (EX2 or GP2)

The analyzer provides a local This is similar to the EX3 or GP3
HMI for the user to access all the transmitter, but has a window
functions of the analyzer through with power and status LEDs
the glass via capacitance buttons. (alarm and/or fault) following the
As well as displaying the target gas NAMUR standard.
concentration, there is a status bar
showing messages. The user can
scroll through the front screens to
see a graph of the latest period
(user defined), min and max
values, reading from an external
sensor and alarm history.

XTC601 (EX3 or GP3) Application Software

The basic model is a binary gas The XTC601 binary gas analyzer
analyzer that provides 4-20 mA is supplied with application
outputs, alarm relays & RS485 software that will allow the user
serial communications. There is remote access to the unit. This
application software included that includes displaying the target gas
allows the user to visualize and concentration, alarms, graphs,
interact with the unit from their changing parameters and even
PC or control system. There is remote calibration.
an optional light guide that will
indicate that the unit is powered up
and/or in alarm condition.

PS601 Sample Handling System for the XTC601

For a long, trouble-free life, analyzers invariably require a clean, dry gas that is free from particulates and at a suitable temperature
and pressure. In the real world, the process gas to be measured almost never fulfils these requirements. Michell Instruments offers
a complete solution for this problem: The XTC601 and PS601 Sample Handling System. This modular system is constructed in
consultation with customers to ensure the best possible solution for each individual application.

Flow Schematic for CO2 in Bio Gas

The sampling system shown
BY OTHERS BY MICHELL BY MICHELL BY OTHERS
is for use with “misty” gases
sampled in a hazardous area.
It is one of the more complex
JB1 POWER SUPPLY
NV1 (M20 CABLE GLAND
ENTRY)

sampling systems available.

CAL GAS INLET
(1/4" OD TUBE
BULKHEAD) JB2 OUTPUT SIGNAL
(M20 CABLE GLAND
ENTRY)
SAMPLE INLET PG1
(1/4" OD TUBE
BULKHEAD) FM1 NV2
The use of an eductor negates
the issues of using a pump
XTC601
CC1 SAMPLE
SV1 OXYGEN
ANALYZER
F1
with hydrocarbons and reduces
cost. There is also a vortex
LD1
FM2 NV3
BYPASS cooler to keep the system
cabinet cool.
DRAIN

NV4
N2 INLET EDUCTOR SAMPLE OUTLET
(1/4" OD TUBE (1/4" OD TUBE
BULKHEAD) BULKHEAD)

COMPRESSED SOV1
VORTEX TUBE
AIR INLET AIR VENT
(1/4" OD TUBE
AIR COOLER (SILENCER)
BULKHEAD)

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Oxygen & Binary Gas Analyzers

Technical Specifications
Performance Digital communications Modbus RTU over RS485 Protocol

Measurement technology Thermal Conductivity sensor Power supply 24 V DC; 1.5 A max

Measured gases CO2, CH4, Ar, He, N2, H2 or Air Operating Conditions
Gas requirements Non-condensing sample with particles <3μm Ambient temperature -20 to +55°C
Measurement range Selectable from 0-5 up to 0-100% (dependent on configuration)

Display resolution 0.1% Mechanical Specifications

Display type Backlit LCD Warm up time < 30 minutes

Intrinsic error (accuracy) < ±2% of span* Stabilization time 15 minutes

Response time (T90) Standard < 20 seconds* Dimensions 234 x 234 x 172mm (w x d x h)

Repeatability ±0.2% of span Weight 9.7 kg

Linearity ±1% span Wetted materials 316 stainless steel, boroscillicate glass,
platinum, (plus O-ring)
Zero stability ±0.5% of span per month
O-Ring materials Viton, Silicone or Ekraz
Span stability ±0.5% of span per month
Gas connection 1/4” NPT, 1/4” tube or 6mm tube
Sample flow rate 100 to 600 ml/min
Ingress protection IP66, NEMA 4X
Sample flow effect < 1% of span for flows:
(calibrated at 300 ml/ 100 to 600 ml/min Hazardous Area Classification
min)
ATEX II 2GD
Sample pressure 0 to 3 barg Ex d IIB +H2 T3 Gb
Sample temperature 0 to +45°C Ex tb IIIC T137°C Db IP66

Sample cell temperature Standard +50°C IECEx Ex d IIB +H2 T3 Gb

Ex tb IIC T137°C Db IP66
Electrical Specifications Temperature ranges for Silicon: Ta = -40°C to +55°C
Analog inputs 2 off 4-20 mA inputs ATEX and IECEx as per Viton: Ta = -15°C to +55°C
One for an external sensor that can be o-ring type Ekraz: Ta = -10°C to +55°C
displayed on the screen
CCSAus Class I, Division 1, Groups B,C,D
One to act as an active compensation for the
process conditions TC TR Ex-Cert 1Exd IIB+H2 T3 Gb

Dimensions
Analog outputs 2 off 4-20 mA outputs
Output ranges Primary range is set to the calibrated range of
the instrument 2 port model 4 port model
The second is user selectable within the
primary range
82.5 20.0 30.0 20.0
Alarms 2 off single pole changeover (SPCO) relays for
concentration (250 V, 5 A max)
Datalogging The user can use the digital communications
to log the output from the analyzer The unit
will store 40 alarm points and the min/max
concentrations with date and time stamp
93.0

93.0
70.5

70.5
39.0

39.0

*The typical intrinsic error and response time will be as above.

Certain gas combinations and/or ranges may have different specifications.
35.0 35.0
Please consult Michell Instruments for specific cases. For example, CO2 / N2 would 35.0 35.0
be < 50 seconds for T90.
Side view (applicable for both models)
 234.0
11.5 172.0  234.0  9.0
 9.0
172.0 11.5 172.0
11.5

11.5

12.0
12.0
195.0

172.0

171.0

195.0

172.0

171.0

15.0
70.0
50.5

12.0 171.0
12.0 171.0
195.0
195.0

Michell Instruments, Inc 319 Newburyport Turnpike, Suite 207, Rowley, MA 01969
Tel: 978 484 0005, Fax: 978 843 7669, Email: [Link]@[Link], Web: [Link]/us
Michell Instruments adopts a continuous development programme which sometimes necessitates specification changes without notice.
Issue no: XTC601_97440_V1_US_0414

© 2014 Michell Instruments