New Oxygen Analyser Developed

SST Sensing (UK) have been working on an oxygen sensor known as ‘OXY-Flex’ for two years. Now the Oxygen Analyser has been launched and is being tested by a number of SST customers.

Oxygen sensors are often used in the bio-mass and combustion market, where they are fitted to measure the heating efficiency of boilers and reduce harmful emissions. Although this is the primary target market for the products, the sensors can also be used for a large number of alternative applications such as accelerating growth of fruit and vegetables in controlled environments. The sensors can prolong the life of fruit, vegetables and other perishable foods by reducing oxygen levels in the storage and transportation environments.

Previously SST sold oxygen sensors and the electric circuit boards that are needed for them to operate efficiently separately. OXY-FLEX has integrated electronics, is cost effective and is more environmentally friendly.

SST has been able to invest in OXY-Flex thanks to funding and support from shareholder UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE), the Corus plc subsidiary tasked with economic regeneration. Since 2004, SST has received over £200,000 from UKSE which was used to develop the business by producing a wide range of optical liquid level and oxygen sensors.

Keith Wight from SST said: “We manufacture over 10,000 oxygen sensors a year but having to sell the electric circuit board separately was problematic, meaning additional complexity and costs for our customers. The OXYFlex is easy to install and interpret and very cost effective.

“Our engineers have been working hard on OXY-Flex and we are extremely pleased with the feedback we have received so far. We have initiated a marketing campaign to promote these products and expect to start producing these on a larger scale towards the end of 2009.”

Anne Clyde, area manager of UKSE, said: “As a shareholder of SST, we are committed to the company’s success and are pleased to find it is investing time into new products which will help the business expand.

“Since its launch in 2002 SST has worked tirelessly to establish itself as a market leader for liquid level and oxygen sensors and we are keen to provide the support to help achieve further growth through the expansion of its product range.”