SME of the Month January - P S Analytical

Main activities of the company 
P S Analytical specialises in the ultra-low level detection of mercury, arsenic, selenium, antimony, tellurium and bismuth.

Founded in 1983, PSA has gained an international reputation as leaders in the determination of these environmentally important elements. Matrices include water, soils, sludges, effluents and gases with customers and installations worldwide. P S Analytical not only supplies the instrumentation, but also provides worldwide applications support, technical assistance and full-service back up.

Total number of people employed
33 staff 
 
Company start date
Founded in 1983 by Professor Peter Stockwell.
 
Company history 

The company's initial focus was supplying accessories for automating and improving the detection limits of atomic absorption, inductively coupled and direct current plasma spectrometry detection systems.  Products included hydride/vapour generators, autosamplers and valve switching units.

In 1987/88 PSA developed and launched the Merlin Plus system for ultra-low level mercury determinations.  With this new analysis system PSA developed a product line to parallel the existing OEM related business and began to provide complete analytical systems to solve customer problems.  Using the atomic fluorescence technique, the Merlin Plus system gave analysts the ability to measure mercury at levels of below 1 ppt at up to 120 samples per hour.

The launch of the Excalibur detector in 1991 saw the extension of atomic fluorescence to the hydride forming elements, notably arsenic, selenium, antimony and tellurium.  Fully compatible with the Merlin Plus system, the Excalibur soon found success in the geological, agrochemical, medical, petrochemical and electronic industries.  New applications are continually occurring.  This success story looks set to continue with the new Millennium Excalibur system.

Also in 1991 PSA introduced a further instrument, the Sir Galahad, specifically for the measurement of mercury in gaseous streams. This system has been used to measure mercury in ambient air, in natural gas, syn gas and the exhausts from coal fired utilities stacks. It is the cornerstone of several process analytical systems for mercury measurements.
 

 

Progress

In 1994 the focus of our business moved yet again towards the provision of full research and integrated solutions for clients’ problems. We install the instrumentation as well as the chemical strategy to provide analytical measurements, even in hazardous environments.

In 1997 PSA launched the Millennium range of products whereby the vapour generation and the atomic fluorescence detection are integrated into a single unit. Both the Millennium Merlin and Excalibur can be used to measure total element concentrations. They can also be linked to separation techniques to provide speciation profiles of the elements in the sample matrix.

 

In 2000 PSA’s research programme provided the technology to produce a range of process analytical instruments to measure mercury in fossil fuels, notably coal fired stack emissions and natural gas plants. The systems provide both measurement and control facilities. 

 

 PSA has designed suitable sampling systems which present the sample to the measurement device and which are fully representative of the sample matrix.  For both applications PSA has developed a unique calibration system which is traceable to NIST standards.  This not only enables the instrument to be checked periodically but also the integrity of the sample to be validated.

PSA has installed more than 20 online systems to monitor and control the mercury levels in natural gas around the world, these systems are operating on a continuous basis allowing the producers to provide a product with significantly less mercury present.  More recently the measurement has been extended to liquefied natural gas applications.  For these applications PSA provides the complete solution from sampling through to measurement and reporting.  

The PSA offline sampling system is combined with the Sir Galahad instrument which conforms to the ISO 6978 and ASTM 6350 methods and is the industry standard for mercury measurements in natural gas streams.

Research and Development

A fundamental cornerstone of PSA's growth has been the commitment to research and development.  From the very early days PSA built up links with universities and other institutions through the loan of equipment for research purposes.  As more funds have become available PSA has invested in various research programmes, such as CASE awards and LINK schemes, often in collaboration with universities and the UK Government.  Links have been maintained with leaders in the field of trace element analysis worldwide.  PSA has built up firm ties with universities in the UK, France, Belgium and America and has collaborated with industrial companies and environmental agencies developing solutions to difficult analytical problems.  The company is committed to improving all of its products through customer feedback and a continuous programme of development.

Since 1995 PSA has offered industrial placements to students studying chemistry and information technology.  More than 35 students have taken advantage of this facility and PSA has used this as a major recruitment strategy.  Many of PSA’s present staff have been recruited in this manner.

PSA constantly monitors future needs due to the specialised nature of their market place.  The company is firmly focused on building upon the success of the Merlin and Excalibur Plus systems, and is continually researching new areas for improvement and development.  Research into online determination of mercury in liquids and gases has borne fruit, with installations worldwide of systems to monitor such diverse process streams as caustic soda, sulphuric acid, waste-water, air and natural gas.

Market Requirements

There is increased global concern about pollution in the environment and the levels of pollution to which animal and plant life is exposed.  The focus of much of this concern has been on heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, selenium and antimony.

• Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and, since it is extremely toxic, awareness, monitoring and controls are necessary, especially in view of its wide use in industrial processes.

• Arsenic in various forms is used in the production of glass, semi-conductors, alloys, textile printing and many more.  All industries are regulated with regard to their emissions whether liquid, gaseous or solid, so the treatment of industrial waste has to occur in proportion to the detected pollution level.

• Selenium and antimony are not only toxic but also essential to life; the difference between a low (deficiency) level and a high (toxic) level may be no more than a tenfold variation in concentration.

Regulatory limits are set (or are being set) for all of the above, of which mercury is the most frequently encountered problem.  Since the various compounds of mercury differ widely in toxicity, PSA now offers a mercury speciation system to highlight the real problems of mercury contamination.  PSA provides systems which not only meet the regulatory levels but also provides further sensitivity capable of meeting future demands.

PSA Offices

Production of all PSA systems takes place at our modern, purpose-built facilities in the UK, allowing manufacture to the highest standards of quality.  All regulatory requirements are observed and met before any product is shipped.  Sales are made by the PSA sales team and through a fully trained and monitored global network of representatives.  Systems have been installed and are working in more than 40 countries throughout the world, creating a strong user and reference network.

In September 2002 PSA established itself in the USA setting up P S Analytical Inc at offices in Deerfield Beach, Florida, enabling PSA to better serve the expanding US marketplace.