London, United Kingdom – Modcon Systems Ltd has received the Best Industrial Sensing Technology Award during the 35th International Research Awards on Sensing Technology. The award was conferred upon Mr Gregory Shahnovsky, CEO of Modcon Systems Ltd, in recognition of the company’s innovative work in developing the MOD-1040 Optical Oxygen Analyzer. This prestigious accolade was presented by the Scifax Company Group, an entity officially registered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Reg. No. 159522).
The award acknowledges excellence in applied sensor technology that delivers meaningful improvements in industrial safety, process control, and environmental compliance. All award recipients are verified through a unique certificate number or QR code via sensors.sciencefather.com
The MOD-1040 represents a significant advancement in the field of industrial gas measurement. Based on quenched fluorescence technology, it provides direct optical oxygen analysis without the need for electrochemical cells, zirconia sensors, or paramagnetic elements. The fluorescence signal is quenched in proportion to the partial pressure of oxygen, allowing accurate measurements even in chemically aggressive or hydrogen-rich environments. This optical method is entirely contactless, meaning the sensor never directly interacts with the process gas, thus removing degradation mechanisms common to traditional analyzers.
The system offers real-time response with a T90 time below two seconds. It is certified for operation in hazardous environments with ATEX. IECEx Zone 1 and SIL-2 compliance. It is equipped with integrated Modbus RTU communication, 4–20 mA analog output, and an internal diagnostic system capable of flagging calibration drift or signal anomalies. The sensor does not require sample extraction or conditioning units, operates under pressures up to 100 bar, and is insensitive to flow velocity or temperature fluctuation within a defined operating window.
The MOD-1040 has been successfully deployed across a range of high-priority industrial applications:
- Green Hydrogen Production: In proton exchange membrane (PEM) or alkaline electrolyzers, the analyzer monitors residual oxygen in both hydrogen and oxygen lines at the cathode, anode, gas dryer, and product delivery stages. This is essential to ensure non-flammable gas mixtures, reduce explosion risks, and meet product purity standards above 99.99 percent.
- Natural Gas Pipelines and Storage: The analyzer measures oxygen ingress at compressor stations, storage caverns, and pipeline interconnection points. Even low ppm oxygen content can cause corrosion or affect calorific value, making continuous measurement critical.
- Flare Gas and Burner Management: By monitoring oxygen content at the flare header or combustion chamber, the MOD-1040 supports stoichiometric control, reduces soot formation, and ensures compliance with emission targets under EPA and EEA standards.
- Refinery and Petrochemical Units: In catalytic reformers, hydrocrackers, and crude storage tanks, oxygen monitoring is essential for preventing autoignition, managing blanket gas systems, and protecting catalysts sensitive to oxidation.
- Biogas and Waste-to-Energy Facilities: Anaerobic digesters are highly sensitive to oxygen intrusion. The MOD-1040 allows detection of even trace levels of oxygen in biogas upgrading processes, improving methane yield and protecting downstream membranes or catalysts.
- Chemical Processing and Inerting Systems: In reactors or storage vessels where oxygen must be strictly limited, the analyzer can be integrated into nitrogen purge control systems. It ensures a low oxygen threshold to prevent unwanted reactions.
- Semiconductor and Specialty Gas Production: Ultra-pure gas supply lines benefit from the analyzer’s low detection limit, typically below 10 ppm, ensuring compliance with the strictest quality requirements for electronics manufacturing.
The MOD-1040 also plays a key role in digital plant transformation initiatives. Its compatibility with SCADA, PLC, and edge-computing platforms makes it suitable for integration into AI-enabled monitoring frameworks. This capability supports predictive maintenance, process optimization, and remote diagnostics for unmanned installations or decentralized energy systems.
The recognition awarded to Modcon Systems Ltd and Mr Shahnovsky confirms the significance of optical sensing technologies in modern industrial infrastructure. It marks a shift toward safer, cleaner, and more intelligent measurement strategies, essential for the energy transition and operational excellence.
