For Immediate Release
Albany, Nov 6 – X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc. (XOS), East Greenbush,
today launched production of its advanced, on-line and bench-top analyzers
for measuring minute amounts of sulfur in motor fuels. The devices
are critical to petroleum refiners and marketers in meeting U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency ultra-low sulfur regulations for on-road diesel
and gasoline, set to begin in 2006. These regulations aim to reduce
sulfur-oxide exhaust emissions that form acid rain, and ultra-fine
particles associated with adverse health effects.
The $3 million development of this new x-ray analysis technique was
assisted through a $250,000 New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) contract. The resulting SINDIE™ line of analyzers
represents a breakthrough for unprecedented reliability, speed, and
detection capability.
EPA regulation of on-road gasoline and diesel requires reductions
in sulfur content to as low as 15 parts per million (ppm), down from
500 ppm. “These dramatic reductions challenge existing analytical
capabilities and increase industry and regulatory needs for reliable
on-line, and bench-top sulfur analyzers,” according to XOS President
David Gibson. “XOS’s advanced x-ray optics technology enables
the introduction of entirely new and innovative analytical approaches
in process, and bench-top based analyzers with a limit of detection
well below 1 ppm.”
Peter R. Smith, Acting NYSERDA President said: “While the petroleum
industry is capable of producing ultra-low sulfur content fuels, controlling
that production and distribution is problematic, as currently, there
are no practical on-line methods for measuring these ultra-low sulfur
levels. NYSERDA is proud to have helped XOS offer the first on-line
continuous-measurement analyzers to hit the market, well in time for
the 2006 federal regulations. These advanced analyzers will help clean
our air, while providing necessary fuels, cost effectively.”
David Gibson emphasized that “NYSERDA provided critical funding
during the development and testing stage of the on-line analyzer.
This allowed us to accelerate the development and introduction of
these analyzers and helped XOS provide industry-wide analysis solutions,
well in advance of the regulatory deadline,” he said.
XOS’s SINDIE™ On-line and Bench-top analyzers are targeted
toward the pipeline and terminal markets, where ease of operation,
speed, and low maintenance are paramount to monitoring of low-sulfur
fuels. Further, the exceptional detection capability and the operational
benefits of a direct measurement technique provide a powerful analytical
tool to refiners in the hydrotreating and blending areas.
XOS is currently pursuing a laboratory ASTM standard for this analytical
technique.
XOS is a leading, global manufacturer of X-ray optics, components,
and analyzers serving OEM’s and users in the petroleum, pharmaceutical,
semiconductor, materials, and other industries worldwide. The company
was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in East Greenbush, near Albany.
www.xos.com
NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975.
It identifies and promotes solutions to New York State's energy challenges
in ways that achieve energy efficiency while benefiting the state’s
economy and environment. It administers the New York Energy $martSM
program that benefits all ratepayers of the investors owned electric
companies across the State. www.nyserda.org
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