A: Ametek's probes have a stainless steel chamber through which the sample is drawn to a short sensor. This design dates back to the early 1980s when the only long probes available had long zirconia tubes which were expensive and fragile. It was a compromise to have an oxygen probe design which used only a short zirconia tube. Teledyne's long tube probes require no design compromise.
The Ametek sampling probes require more maintenance than the Teledyne 9060 probes due to the following:
- The Ametek sampling probe clogs with fly ash regularly and needs cleaning. The Teledyne 9060 does not block up or require any cleaning.
- The sampling filter needs replacing regularly because of the high sample flow. The Teledyne filter rarely needs replacement. Also if the Teledyne probe is pointing vertically downwards, it does not need a filter at all. It is maintenance free.
- The Ametek sensor uses platinum electrode material which fails in a short time if there is any sulphur in the coal. The Teledyne sensor uses a long lasting, sulphur resistant electrode material.
- The sample aspirating fan in the Ametek probe wears out and needs replacement. The Teledyne 9060 in situ oxygen probe does not require a fan. There are no moving parts to wear out.
- Depending on the flue temperature, the water vapor from the flue gas can cool and condense forming dilute sulphuric acid which quickly corrodes the Ametek stainless steel parts. This may only occur during start up but if start up occurs often enough the probe will need replacement. The 9060 Teledyne oxygen probe does not draw a sample flow so there is no condensation.
- The Ametek sensor is made of pure zirconia and is more susceptible to damage from mechanical vibration and thermal shock, giving reading errors with the Ametek analyzer. The patented Teledyne oxygen sensor is made from much stronger composite materials less likely to break or leak.
Teledyne analyzers do not require calibration for years. They are virtually maintenance free until, after 2 to 5 years, the sensing probe needs replacement.
In addition to lower maintenance and replacement costs, Teledyne oxygen sensing probes and analyzers have the following advantages:
- The Ametek is probe is responds slower, particularly when the filter is starting to block, while the Teledyne sensor responds in less than 100 milliseconds. It normally takes about two seconds to achieve a complete gas exchange in the 9060 sensing probe.
- Teledyne provides a second, isolated output channel which can be used to measure combustibles, percent water vapor or many other selectable variables. Ametek do not have this powerful option.
- Teledyne analyzers have a more extensive alarm system to monitor the performance of the sensor and analyzer.
- Teledyne provides superior accuracy with integral ambient humidity sensing.
- Teledyne provides a faster speed of response with the superior 9060 in-situ oxygen sensing probe.
Teledyne oxygen probes cost less, require less maintenance and last longer. Every power station in Australia has replaced their American and European oxygen probes and analyzers with Teledyne instruments because of the lower initial cost and lower maintenance expenses. Every station actually tested other brands including Ametek but all have installed Teledyne systems.
