Novel Industrial Trace Moisture (H2O) Analyzer

Introduction

A leading analytics and process controls provider in the oil and gas industry partnered with Diode Laser Concepts to develop a next-gen trace moisture analyzer.  The solution required low-ppm detectability, high accuracy, exceptional stability and repeatability,  low field maintenance, high operational temperature (70C), and at a price-point below the nearest competitor analyzer.

The Challenge

• Significant R&D necessary to explore custom “out-of-the-box” metrologies.
• Design a unique cell cavity that removed instability due to cavity mirror misalignment and measurement perturbations due to environmental changes.
• Field maintenance and recalibrations reduced over current equipment.
• Ability to operate unsheltered in extreme temperatures.

Our Solution

• Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy (TDLAS/WMS).
• Novel cell cavity design with noncritical optical alignment yielding unprecedented system robustness.
• Sub-2 ppm H2O detectability with high accuracy and repeatability.
• Advanced signal processing and noise reduction.
• Exceptional environmental robustness, sustained operation at 70°C ambient.
• No recalibration or field maintenance necessary.
• No reference cell or “line locking” equipment or software resulting in significant simplification, lower cost, and improved repeatability.
• Interactive HMI displays and logs relevant parameters.
• 5x price point reduction over competitor analyzers.

Implementation & Manufacturing

• Successful 18-month Field Test Unit in service on processing plant in Saudi Arabia.
• FTU exhibited excellent diurnal stability and repeatability over the 18 months of operation on outside of processing plant.
• Commercialization design in progress with product release in 3rd quarter 2026.
• Met development project budget.
• Meets industry regulatory requirements for analytic instrumentation.

Why Diode Laser Concepts

• A leading innovator in diode-laser-based photonics, offering tailored solutions from custom laser modules to fully engineered advanced systems.
• Top-tier engineering team with proficiency in physics, optics, mechanics, electronics, and thermal design.
• Uses Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) decision making throughout a project.
• Advanced manufacturing facilities, processes, and capabilities using custom designed opto-mechanics and metrologies for precision optical alignment and system-level integration.
• Highly collaborative development process ensuring your project success.
• On-time and on-budget in meeting your most demanding specifications.
• Commitment to long-term and world-class customer service.