London, United Kingdom – Modcon Systems Ltd has been internationally recognised for its leadership in industrial sensor innovation. At the 35th International Research Awards on Sensing Technology, hosted by Scifax Company Group, the company was awarded the Best Industrial Sensing Technology Award. The certificate, officially registered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, was presented to Mr Gregory Shahnovsky, CEO of Modcon Systems Ltd, in acknowledgment of the development and successful deployment of the MOD-1040 Optical Oxygen Analyzer.
The award highlights outstanding achievement in applied sensing science, with a focus on safety, reliability, and innovation in demanding industrial settings. The MOD-1040 oxygen analyzer exemplifies this focus, offering a robust solution for continuous oxygen monitoring in environments where conventional sensors often fail.
Technical Innovation in Optical Oxygen Measurement
The MOD-1040 is based on a non-contact measurement method using quenched fluorescence. This approach enables direct in-situ oxygen analysis, eliminating the need for extraction systems, pressure reducers, or gas conditioning units. As a result, the analyzer provides real-time data with a response time under two seconds, improving safety and process control while reducing maintenance.
It is capable of measuring oxygen in the parts-per-million range, with full functionality at pressures up to 100 bar and within hydrogen-rich or flammable environments. The device is certified for Zone 1 hazardous areas under ATEX and IECEx standards and communicates via Modbus RTU and analog outputs, ensuring seamless integration with industrial automation systems.
Unlike electrochemical or zirconia sensors, the MOD-1040 Oxygen analyzer has no consumable parts and is not affected by contaminants such as H₂S, CO₂, or hydrocarbons, making it especially suitable for long-term operation in petrochemical, gas processing, and renewable energy environments.
Broad Application Across Energy and Process Industries
The MOD-1040 has been successfully applied across a range of sectors where accurate oxygen detection is critical for safety and efficiency:
- Green Hydrogen Production: Used to monitor residual oxygen in electrolysis systems at the anode, cathode, and purification stages. Prevents explosive mixtures and supports production of hydrogen at >99.99% purity.
- Natural Gas and LNG Facilities: Deployed in compressors, blending units, and storage tanks to detect oxygen ingress, which can cause corrosion and reduce fuel quality.
- Refinery and Petrochemical Units: Monitors oxygen in reactors, tank blanketing systems, and flare headers, reducing the risk of explosion and supporting emission control strategies.
- Flare Gas and Combustion Monitoring: Ensures stoichiometric burn conditions at flare stacks, incinerators, and thermal oxidisers, helping facilities remain within environmental compliance limits.
- Biogas and Waste-to-Energy Plants: Supports anaerobic digestion by detecting air leaks, stabilising methane production, and protecting downstream membranes and catalysts.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Integrated into inerting systems and gas purification units to prevent oxidation reactions and ensure product quality.
- Semiconductor and Specialty Gas Sectors: Enables sub-ppm oxygen monitoring in ultra-high-purity gas lines where even minor contamination can compromise process outcomes.
Industry and Environmental Impact
The adoption of advanced oxygen sensing systems like the MOD-1040 contributes directly to safer working environments, reduced unplanned shutdowns, and improved environmental performance. In green hydrogen production specifically, continuous oxygen monitoring supports compliance with ISO 14687 standards and helps reduce the levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH) by enabling real-time process optimisation.
Moreover, in volatile hydrocarbon environments, the MOD-1040 supports explosion prevention and early fault detection, both of which are vital in mitigating industrial incidents and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Statement from Modcon Systems
Mr Gregory Shahnovsky commented on the recognition:
“We developed the MOD-1040 with a clear goal—to provide a safer, smarter solution for oxygen measurement in places where traditional sensors are either unreliable or unsafe. Receiving this award validates the hard work of our engineering and applications team, and we remain committed to enabling safer, more efficient operations in energy and manufacturing sectors worldwide.”
This award places Modcon Systems Ltd among a growing number of UK-based companies advancing real-world solutions for decarbonisation, process automation, and industrial safety through high-precision analytics.
