Elster declared that it has purchased SLS Micro Technology’s gas chromatography assets, which also include advanced proprietary intellectual property.
SLS Micro Technology is a private firm located in Hamburg, Germany. The company’s technology can effectively measure the quality of downstream gas where gases from various sources such as substitute natural gas, shale gas and biogas are incorporated into the gas distribution stream.
Gas chromatography is an important part of smart grid solutions for natural gas and is utilized to study the chemical proportion and quality of natural gas. It can also be used for numerous laboratory purposes.
Elster intends to add the SLS technology into its current gas metering and quality systems at its gas quality competence facility located in Dortmund, Germany. With this addition, Elster will expand its current gas quality product series, including high-end process gas chromatographs (EnCal 3000) and quick sensor systems (gaslab Q1), with one more line of smart micro-gas chromatographs for energy metering purposes.
The Executive Vice President of International Gas Business at Elster, Michael Calovini stated that the acquisition of SLS Micro Technology will support the company’s presence in the upcoming shale gas and biogas markets, as these gas sources need quality measurement and accurate quantity for blending with more conventional natural gas sources, he added.