Instruction Manual
IM-106-360, Original Issue
February 2005
SBX 1000
1-2
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Scope
This Instruction Manual is designed to supply details needed to install, start
up, operate, and maintain the SBX 1000. Signal conditioning electronics
outputs a 4-20 mA signal representing an oxygen value. The electronics
package includes a membrane keypad for setup, calibration, and diagnostics.
System Description
The SBX 1000 is designed to measure the net concentration of oxygen in an
industrial process; i.e., the oxygen remaining after all fuels have been
oxidized. The probe is permanently positioned within an exhaust duct or stack
and performs its task without the use of a sampling system.
The equipment measures oxygen percentage by reading the voltage
developed across a heated electrochemical cell, which consists of a small
yttria-stabilized, zirconia disc. Both sides of the disc are coated with porous
metal electrodes. When operated at the proper temperature, the millivolt
output voltage of the cell is given by the following Nernst equation:
EMF = KT log
10
(P
1
/P
2
) + C
Where:
•P
2
is the partial pressure of the oxygen in the measured gas on one
side of the cell.
•P
1
is the partial pressure of the oxygen in the reference air on the
opposite side of the cell.
• T is the absolute temperature.
• C is the cell constant.
• K is an arithmetic constant.
NOTE
For best results, use clean, dry, instrument air (20.95% oxygen) as the
reference air.
When the cell is at operating temperature and there are unequal oxygen
concentrations across the cell, oxygen ions will travel from the high oxygen
partial pressure side to the low oxygen partial pressure side of the cell. The
resulting logarithmic output voltage is approximately 50 mV per decade. The
output is proportional to the inverse logarithm of the oxygen concentration.
Therefore, the output signal increases as the oxygen concentration of the
sample gas decreases. This characteristic enables the SBX 1000 to provide
exceptional sensitivity at low oxygen concentrations.
The SBX 1000 measures net oxygen concentration in the presence of all the
products of combustion, including water vapor. Therefore, it may be
considered an analysis on a "wet" basis. In comparison with older methods,
such as the portable apparatus, which provides an analysis on a "dry" gas
basis, the "wet" analysis will, in general, indicate a lower percentage of
oxygen. The difference will be proportional to the water content of the
sampled gas stream.