Compliance Controls Emphasizes Simplicity with New Air-Fuel Ratio Controllers
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Compliance Controls has announced its newest air/fuel ratio controllers, the AFR-1 and AFR-9. The controllers, designed specifically for the needs of the gas compression market, represent a renewed emphasis on simplicity for the company.
“Our customers were consistent in their demand for simple, easy to use controllers,” said Rick Rohrer, general manager of Compliance Controls. “So we created two of the simplest, most intuitive AFR controllers available today.”
The AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers hold the engine in the range of operation required by the catalyst to optimize emission reduction. Using an oxygen sensor mounted in the engine’s exhaust, they detect drift in the air/fuel ratio over time. By controlling a specific air/fuel ratio, the AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers allow the catalyst to operate at its maximum potential to reduce emissions.
As emissions regulation requirements start affecting smaller HP engines, the population of engines affected grows tremendously, Rohrer said. “New factors come into play. Easy installation, simple troubleshooting and diagnosis, user-friendly operation and constant uptime become critical in this high-scale world.”
The simplicity of the AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers, Rohrer said, comes from their main features – the interface, the single setpoint target and the control strategy.
The user interface offers clear, intuitive navigation through the controllers’ menu screens. A series of shortcut keys allow access to the main functions by pressing a single button. Contextual help with onscreen directions is available at each navigation screen. “The AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers are fully menu-driven, and simple to navigate,” said Rohrer. “The help functions can even guide you through your setup and operation questions.”
The AFR-1 controller uses a single setpoint target that lets the user dial in one setting that can run consistently without additional monitoring. “Our customers were asking us for this feature, since we had always provided multiple setpoint targets on our previous products,” Rohrer said. “The AFR-1 is a more focused product. Our customers wanted a simpler air/fuel ratio controller that would meet the emerging market needs for smaller skids.”
The AFR-9 controller offers nine setpoint targets, based on a combination of three RPM settings and three manifold pressure settings. “You can create nine optimal operating setpoints for your catalyst,” Rohrer said. “As conditions vary, your AFR-9 continues to make sure it is in the best possible operating range.”
The unique control strategy of the AFR-1 and AFR-9 models allow easy isolation of the air/fuel ratio controller for engine or system diagnosis. The controllers are installed on auxiliary fuel line, where they control a small percentage of high pressure gas. “This allows you to take the system offline for testing or troubleshooting,” Rohrer said. “If something goes wrong, the operator can simply shut off that line and perform maintenance without shutting down the whole system.
“The AFR-1 and AFR-9 control a small portion of fuel to affect emissions, but not enough to adversely affect the engine. They are supplemental controllers that won’t shut you down.”
Both the AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers are also upgradeable, Rohrer said. “If you’re in an attainment area and a single setpoint meets your needs, the AFR-1 will take care of you as is. If you have to move the skid to a non-attainment area with much tighter regulations, you can upgrade the software and add some end devices and you’re ready to go.
“Both the AFR-1 and AFR-9 can be upgraded as high as a 64-point system. You can move from one area where the regulations are easy to a new area where they’re tight, and not have to buy a new system all over again.”
All those features combined make the AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers “failsafe, simple and upgradeable,” Rohrer said.
According to Rohrer, the AFR-1 controller is designed for oil and gas applications that operate within a fairly stable, consistent environment related to engine load ambient swings, RPM and gas consistency. Applications that begin to experience larger swings, can upgrade the AFR-1 to a load-following control, he added.
The AFR-9 controller is specifically engineered for markets with ever-tightening regulations, non-attainment areas or areas experiencing big swings in ambient temperature.
With their focus on simplicity and ease-of-use, Rohrer said, “the AFR-1 and AFR-9 controllers are designed to be practical for small engines and packed with more features than you might expect at this price point.”