Argus-Hg Applications



The Argus-Hg series provides Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM) of mercury in flue gas. Both molecular (e.g. HgCl2, HgO, and HgS) and atomic forms are detected. The Argus-Hg series can be applied to a variety of stationary sources of mercury:
  • Municipal Waste Incinerators
  • Medical Waste Incinerators
  • Hazardous Waste Incinerators
  • Cement Kilns
  • Coal-Fired Electric Power Plants
  • Industrial Manufacturing and Processing Plants
  • Natural Gas Pipelines



Argus-Hg Benefits
  • A cost-effective replacement to wet chemistry analysis.
  • No chemical reagents are used in the Argus-Hg that need constant replacement.
  • No chemical waste associated with the Argus-Hg series.




Argus-Hg Features
  • Solid catalyst is used to convert molecular mercury to atomic mercury and to speciate mercury.
  • Linearity of the Argus-Hg instrument is excellent.
  • Elimination of corrosion and reduced maintenance costs are the results of the components in contact with flue gas or mercury being made of Teflon, stainless steel, or quartz. These surfaces are heated to prevent mercury absorption loss.
  • Microprocessor control automates the operation of the Argus-Hg. A keypad and LCD display make operation simple. A PC laptop or desktop can be interfaced with the Argus-Hg for remote operation and access to data. Data can be provided in real-time or in a computer file. This makes it easy to interface to a control system
  • Automated Calibration is routinely completed with a built-in mercury standard. The mercury standard is temperature controlled to ensure constant mercury flux. No zero adjust is necessary.
  • No spectral interference has been observed for mercury in flue gas. Laboratory experiments and field measurements have not revealed any spectral interference that compromises other measurement techniques.
  • Self-cleaning of the particulate filter in the sample probe is achieved with compressed air. Self-cleaning is programmed into the Argus-Hg operation.
  • Peltier cooling removes condensate from the gas stream prior to entering the instrument. No other processing of the gas stream is necessary.


Argus-Hg 1000 Specifications

The Argus-Hg 1000 measures total mercury in flue gas from incinerators, coal-fired electric utility plants, coal-fired manufacturing facilities.

Argus-Hg 1000 specifications:

  • High instrument sensitivity enables measurements at concentrations of 0.03 microgram/cubic meter. Only 1 ng of total mercury needs to be sampled from the gas stream.
  • Multiple data outputs provide flexibility-digital, analog, and computer file. This enables easy integration of the Argus-Hg into control systems.
  • 110 V/60 Hz ac power operation.
  • Maximum operating current is only 12 amperes.
  • Simple maintenance every 6 months.
  • Light-weight construction: it weighs only 45 lb. and is mobile.
  • Continuous measurements every 5 minutes. A faster time response can be provided.
  • Gas sampling is performed with heated sample lines. There is no processing of the flue gas before the instrument makes measurements.


Argus-Hg 2000 Specifications

The Argus-Hg 2000 speciates atomic and molecular forms of mercury in flue gas from incinerators, coal-fired utility plants, and coal-fired manufacturing facilities. The specifications are the same as the Argus-Hg 1000, except the measurement cycle is every 7 minutes.