What is the EcoChem MC3 Analyzer?

Updated

The EcoChem MC3 is a multicomponent infrared (IR) gas analyzer built for continuous monitoring of a flue gas stream. It is the core measurement component in EcoChem's Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), and it is designed to measure multiple gases in a single instrument — up to 8 components plus O2 — rather than requiring a separate analyzer for each gas.

What the MC3 Measures

According to EcoChem, the MC3 provides a complete solution for measuring the following components in one analyzer:

  • NH3 (ammonia)
  • HCl (hydrogen chloride)
  • HF (hydrogen fluoride)
  • NOx (nitrogen oxides)
  • N2O (nitrous oxide)
  • SO2 (sulfur dioxide)
  • CO (carbon monoxide)
  • CH4 (methane)
  • H2O (water vapor)
  • CO2 (carbon dioxide)
  • O2 (oxygen)

The key constraint to note: the analyzer supports up to 8 components plus O2 in a single unit. If your monitoring requirement includes more gases than that, you would need to confirm the configuration with EcoChem directly.

How the MC3 Fits into a CEMS

The MC3 is not sold only as a standalone analyzer. EcoChem also builds MC3-based CEMS as complete systems, available as either:

  • A standalone system cabinet, or
  • A panel configuration

These systems combine the MC3 analyzer with a PLC and sample system components. Because EcoChem manufactures its own analyzer, probe, and Data Acquisition System, the company describes its approach as "Total Responsibility ... From Probe to Printout" — meaning a single source of supply for the entire project rather than splitting responsibility across multiple vendors.

Related EcoChem hardware that may appear alongside the MC3 in a monitoring setup includes:

Product Function
HW5 Heated Probe Probe design allows the entire probe to be removed without pulling the flange
Cemtrac3 Data Acquisition System Software for emission compliance and regulatory reporting
Hovacal Portable calibration gas generator for gas-vapor mixtures with selectable humidity
PAS 2000 Photoelectric aerosol sensor for real-time ambient carbon aerosol monitoring

Where the MC3 Is Used

EcoChem lists the following industries among the typical applications for its analytical systems:

  • Energy-from-waste facilities
  • Fertilizer production
  • Chemical and petrochemical plants
  • Coal- and gas-fired power plants
  • Cement kilns
  • Industrial boilers

These are all combustion or process environments where continuous flue gas monitoring is required, which matches the MC3's stated purpose as an analyzer for continuous flue gas stream monitoring.

What to Check Before Choosing the MC3

Because the MC3 is configured around a specific set of measured components, the practical questions to resolve are:

  1. Which gases do you need to monitor? Compare your required list against the components above, and confirm that your combination fits within the 8-components-plus-O2 limit.
  2. Do you need just the analyzer, or a full CEMS? EcoChem offers both the MC3 analyzer and MC3-based CEMS in cabinet or panel form, so the scope of supply matters.
  3. What reporting and calibration support do you need? The Cemtrac3 data acquisition system and Hovacal calibration gas generator are separate products in the same ecosystem.
  4. Pricing and configuration. EcoChem provides a "Pricing and Quotes" page and a "Get a Quote" link, so specific pricing is handled through a quote request rather than published figures.

For a definitive answer on whether the MC3 covers your exact gas list and site conditions, the quote request route is the appropriate next step, since configuration and pricing depend on the specific application.