RSH and OSQ Introduction

Today’s diverse industry requires a variety of analytical equipment for a growing list of applications. Analyzers and monitors are used in quality control, process steering, monitoring of environmental pollution, and others. A wide range of specialty gases are used to calibrate these instruments to ensure their correct operation.

Depending on consumption and required mobility, the size of the gas cylinder may vary up to 50-litre water content. When mobility is required to verify the correct operation of remote gas monitoring equipment, 1 to 10 - litre cylinders are used, with gases supplied in either high pressure, or disposable non-refillable gas cylinders.

Solution

Linde has developed a unique solution to this problem. ECOCYL is a small refillable cylinder that is equipped with a combination cylinder valve, fixed regulator and flow meter. These devices are fully integrated within the cylinder protection cap. The result is an easy, ready for use system. The end user only needs to open the cylinder valve and connect it to his system. Depending on the application, the model RSH or OSQ can be chosen.

The RSH is suited for use with positive pressure requirements, and is equipped with a flow selector with predefined flow ranges. While the most common outlet desired is a hose barb, a quick-connector system is available for the model RSH.

The OSQ model is suited for sub-atmospheric pressures and is an on-demand flow type; it adapts the flow to the pump capacity. Often this is for docking systems for calibration and the preferred outlet is a quick connector that can be combined with Swagelok Quick connectors. Quick connect couplings provide a secure connection and are recommended for tubing that is repeatedly connected and disconnected from stationary systems. With hose barb outlets tubing may be pulled off due to tension or vibration, posing a safety risk to end users. With repeated use tubing may become distorted and degrade the seal with the hose barb. As a result ambient air can enter the tubing impacting the quality of the measurement.

Gas Compatibility

The RSH and OSQ are suited for non-corrosive pure gases as well as gas mixtures that might contain noncorrosive as well as mild corrosive components. These units do not comply with requirements for gases with oxidizing potential. As a result, pure oxygen (including all oxidizing gases and gas mixtures) may not be supplied with these models. Further, these models are not suited for liquefied gases; liquefied products can be supplied in ECOCYL models VSH or VAH.

VSH and VAH Introduction

In today’s industry, a broad range of gases and chemicals are used. Particularly, the chemical, the pharmaceutical and the biotech industries have a high demand of gas products. Many of them are used as raw materials for chemical synthesis, others are used as intermediate products or serve as catalysts in chemical reactions.

Most processes and syntheses are tested on a laboratory scale after their development. If this test phase is successful, it is followed by a pilot phase before production on an industrial scale is initiated. For both phases, only small amounts of gases and chemicals are necessary. These gases are often toxic or hazardous and therefore require detailed knowledge regarding storage, handling and disposal etc. both on the part of the customer and the supplier.

Normally, these products are supplied in high-pressure and disposable gas cylinders. The cylinder size may vary from 0.4 up to 10 litres, according to consumption and requested mobility. However, in most cases only small gas amounts are needed. Therefore, the smallest cylinder size available (1 litre) is usually sufficient.

Requirements

Most applications require a needle valve to regulate the gas flow. Pressure is usually less important, since most products are liquefied and only have a low vapour pressure. The protection cap, if present, does neither cover the main valve nor the regulating valve. This represents a considerable safety risk, especially when the cylinders are moved or transported during their use. Moreover, disconnecting the regulating valve from one cylinder and connecting it to another is difficult and requires a dedicated end user training.

Solution

Linde has developed a unique and environmentally friendly solution for these problems. ECOCYL is a small, refillable cylinder equipped with an integrated cylinder valve with a direct flow regulating function. The unique valve design allows direct and accurate flow adjustment without the need for an additional flow regulator. The valve is fully integrated into the cylinder’s protection cap. Therefore, the system is safe and easy to handle. End users only have to open the cylinder valve until the required flow is reached.

The model ECOCYL VAH is suitable for all acid gases, whereas the ECOCYL VSH is used with alkaline-related gases.

With ECOCYL VAH and ECOCYL VSH, Linde covers the business area of truly portable cylinders with integrated equipment, fully protected by a proper cylinder cap. Furthermore, the models ECOCYL RSH and OSQ are available for pure gases and a wide range of gas mixtures.