KOMYO RIKAGAKU 177UR Natural Gas Moisture Detection Tube

Overview

The KOMYO RIKAGAKU 177UR Natural Gas Moisture Detection Tube is a field-deployable, single-use colorimetric sensor engineered for rapid, on-site quantification of water vapor concentration in natural gas streams. It operates on the well-established principle of selective chemical reaction: moisture in the sampled gas stream reacts with a proprietary cobalt(II) chloride–silica gel reagent pre-loaded within the glass tube, inducing a sharp, irreversible color transition from blue to pink along a calibrated length. The endpoint position—measured in millimeters from the inlet end—is directly correlated to the moisture content expressed in pounds of water per million cubic feet (lb H₂O/MMCF), a standard unit widely adopted in North American and international natural gas transmission and processing specifications (e.g., GPA 2166, ISO 8503-2). This detection method requires no power source, calibration gas, or data logger—only the standardized AP-20 hand pump (sold separately) to draw a fixed 100 mL sample volume at controlled flow rate (100 mL/min ±10%). The 177UR is not intended for continuous monitoring but for discrete, operator-initiated verification during pipeline commissioning, dehydration system validation, custody transfer point checks, or emergency response scenarios where dew point estimation or hydrate formation risk assessment is critical.

Key Features

• Validated measurement range of 2–12 lb H₂O/MMCF—covering typical specification limits for pipeline-quality natural gas (e.g., ≤7 lb/MMCF per AGA Report No. 8) and upstream sour gas applications.
• Pre-calibrated linear color scale with ±15% accuracy under controlled ambient conditions (20–25°C, <60% RH), traceable to KOMYO’s internal reference standards aligned with NIST-traceable gravimetric moisture standards.
• Robust borosilicate glass construction with hermetically sealed ends; each tube is individually packaged in aluminum foil pouch with desiccant and batch-specific expiration date.
• Compatible exclusively with the KOMYO AP-20 dual-stroke hand pump (Cat. No. AP-20), ensuring reproducible 100 mL sampling volume and consistent 100 mL/min flow rate—critical for reaction kinetics fidelity.
• No field calibration required; full metrological traceability maintained through KOMYO’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited manufacturing and testing facility in Kyoto, Japan.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 177UR is validated for use with dry-to-moderately wet natural gas matrices containing methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at concentrations up to 5 mol%. It is not recommended for use in high-H₂S (>100 ppm), high-CO₂ (>20%), or liquid-phase condensate-contaminated streams, as these may interfere with reagent selectivity or cause premature color development. The tube complies with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K 0321 “Gas analysis — Colorimetric detection tubes”, and its design supports adherence to API RP 14E (Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems) and ISO 10423 (Petroleum and natural gas industries — Drilling and production equipment) regarding field moisture verification protocols. Each production lot undergoes stability testing per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines to ensure shelf life integrity.

Software & Data Management

As a passive, analog detection device, the 177UR does not interface with digital software or generate electronic data. However, its usage aligns with paper-based GLP-compliant documentation workflows: operators record batch number, sampling location, time/date, ambient temperature/humidity, pump stroke count, observed color front position (mm), and calculated lb/MMCF value in bound logbooks or LIMS-integrated field forms. For regulated environments subject to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 or EU Annex 11 requirements, manual entries must be contemporaneous, signed, and reviewed per SOPs governing field analytical methods. KOMYO provides Certificate of Conformance (CoC) and lot-specific performance verification reports upon request—supporting audit readiness for QA/QC departments in midstream and LNG facilities.

Applications

• Verification of glycol dehydrator outlet moisture levels prior to pipeline injection.
• Rapid screening for hydrate formation risk during cold-weather operations or offshore platform startup.
• Field validation of online dew point analyzers (e.g., chilled mirror or tunable diode laser systems) during routine maintenance intervals.
• Emergency leak response: assessing moisture ingress following pipeline repair or valve replacement.
• Commissioning support for new gas processing trains, particularly amine units and molecular sieve beds.

FAQ

What is the shelf life of the 177UR tube, and how should it be stored?
Unopened tubes retain accuracy for 24 months from the date of manufacture when stored at 5–30°C in original sealed aluminum pouches, away from direct sunlight and volatile organic vapors.
Can the 177UR be used for liquefied natural gas (LNG) vapor phase analysis?
Yes—provided the vapor is warmed to ambient temperature and pressure before sampling to avoid condensation artifacts; do not draw directly from cryogenic headers.
Is the AP-20 pump included with the 177UR tube?
No—the AP-20 hand pump (Cat. No. AP-20) is sold separately and is mandatory for achieving the specified 100 mL/min flow rate and measurement reproducibility.
Does humidity or temperature affect reading accuracy?
Yes—ambient temperature deviations >±5°C from 20°C require application of the correction factor provided in the KOMYO Technical Bulletin TB-177UR-EN; relative humidity above 60% may accelerate background reagent oxidation.
How are results traceable to international standards?
KOMYO’s manufacturing process is certified to ISO 9001:2015; each 177UR lot is verified against gravimetrically prepared moisture-in-nitrogen standards calibrated to NIST SRM 2810, with CoC documentation available upon order.