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4500 MkIII Continuous Opacity Monitor

AMETEK Land Opacity and Dust Monitors - 4500 MkIII Compliance Opacity Monitor
The 4500 MkIII is engineered for highly accurate and reliable continuous opacity monitoring, combining LAND’s ground-breaking innovation and simple design for precise, problem-free operation. It is a high-specification, accurate dust monitoring instrument that meets global compliance standards for monitoring combustion processes. Its unmatched, class-leading accuracy ensures that compliance limits for dust emissions and stack opacity are met with confidence — avoiding the risk of regulator fines while lowering costs through operational efficiencies.

  • Overview +


    4500 MKIII AT A GLANCE

    FEATURE DETAIL
    Instrument type Continuous opacity monitor / dust monitoring equipment
    Measuring technique Double-pass transmissometry
    Light source Highly homogeneous, high-intensity LED (with flood LED to minimise electronic drift)
    Reflector Multi-prism retro-reflector to reduce thermal drift for the lowest possible detection limit
    Stack diameters 0.3 m – 15 m (1 ft – 50 ft)
    Applications Boilers, heaters, furnaces and other combustion applications
    Compliance standards ASTM D6216; QAL 1 verified to EN 15267-3
    Operation Intuitive built-in menu display with simultaneous text and icon prompts — no laptop needed on site

    HOW DOES THE LAND 4500 MKIII DELIVER SUCH STABLE, ACCURATE READINGS?

    The accuracy of the 4500 MkIII comes from three complementary technologies working together to keep readings stable over time:

    • A highly homogeneous LED light source minimises sensitivity to optical misalignment.
    • A multi-prism retro-reflector reduces thermal drift, giving the lowest possible detection limit.
    • A flood LED minimises electronic drift.

    Together, these deliver highly stable, highly accurate results — the foundation of confident, compliance-grade opacity and dust monitoring.

    COMPLETE COMPLIANCE

    MCERTS APPROVAL

    The 4500 MkIII achieves the highest possible specification for the fundamental performance parameters of a compliance opacity monitor, as defined by the internationally recognised ASTM D6216 standard. Its performance has been independently verified, meeting QAL 1 requirements according to EN 15267-3 — giving you documented confidence for regulatory audits.

    EASY TO OPERATE

    The built-in menu display is intuitive and simple to use, with simultaneous text and icon prompts. There’s no need to take a laptop or handheld terminal to the installation location, making setup and operation hassle-free.

    CAN IT BE TAILORED TO MY PROCESS?

    Yes. The LAND 4500 MkIII comes with all the compatible accessories you need to tailor it to your process, giving you unmatched control options. Available options include:

    • A control room unit
    • An auxiliary functions unit
    • Fail-safe shutters
    • Calibration accessories
    • A range of mountings and adaptors for existing fittings

    INDUSTRIES AND APPLICATIONS

    Fitting stack diameters of 0.3 m – 15 m (1 ft – 50 ft), the 4500 MkIII is suitable for the continuous monitoring of dust and opacity in boilers, heaters, furnaces and other combustion applications. It is used across industries including:

    Continuous Opacity Monitoring System

    Complies to QAL1 and PS-1

    DID YOU KNOW? SPECIAL APPLICATION AVAILABLE….

    Product Special Application

  • Specifications +


    Measuring Technique Double pass transmissometry
    Operating Wavelength 520 ± 20 nm
    Light Source Pulsed High Intensity LED
    Measurement Range Opacity 0-10 % to 0-100 % ; Optical Density 0 - 0.1 to 0-3.0 ; Dust Density 0-15 to 0-1000 mg/m3 (at 5 m pathlength)
    Calibration Error 1.5 % opacity
    Drift (long term)  < 0.3 % opacity / month
    Thermal Stability 0.6 % opacity / 22 ° C ambient change
    Angle of Projection < 2 °
    Angle of View < 2 °
    Response Time ≤10 s to 95 %
    Averaging Selectable from 10 s to 24 hr (1 s increment)
    Pathlength 0.5 to 10 m / 20 in to 32 ft (extended pathlengths to 15 m available)
    Calibration  Automatic zero and upscale check (selectable period 1 to 24 hr in 1 hr increments) 
    Zero Correction  Automatic correction for zero drift 
    Control Panel Display 128 x 64 pixel reflective backlit LCD
    Control Panel Keypad 4 keys for data input
    Control Panel Indicators Power, System OK, Alarm, Calibration
    Operating Temperature -40 to 55 °C / -40 to 131 °F
    Max. Flue Gas Temperature 600 °C / 1112 °F
    Max. Flange Temperature 200  °C / 392 °F
    Flue Gas Water Content  Not sensitive to water vapor. Condensed water must not be present in the measurement path. 
    Electrical Safety IEC / EN 61010-2
    EMC EN 50 081 & EN50 082
    Sealing IP65 / NEMA4X
    Modbus Interface RS485; Opacity, Optical Density, Dust Density and Status information available
    Analog Outputs Isolated 4 to 20 mA Configurable as Opacity, Optical Density, Dust Density
    Relay Outputs System OK, Calibration, Alarm
    Relay Rating 1 A @ 24 Vdc
    Power Supply 24 Vdc nominal (18 to 30 Vdc), 0.3 A nominal (3 A startup)
    Transceiver Dimensions (Hx W x D) 191 x 291 x 413 mm / 7.5 x 7.9 x 16.3 in
    Retro-reflector Dimensions (H x W x D) 101 x 201 x 237 mm / 7.5 x 7.9 x 9.3 in
    Transceiver Weight 6 kg / 13.2 lbs.
    Retro-reflector Weight
    		 3 kg / 6.6 lbs.
    Enclosure Cast Aluminum, epoxy coated
    Accessories  Fail-safe Shutters, Blowers, Adapter Flanges, Remote Control Units, Additional Outputs Available 
    Approvals  QAL 1, EN 15267, EN 13284-2 
    Performance Specifications  ASTM D6216, US EPA PS-1, PS-11, Procedure 3  
    MARCOM0373 4500MkIII Rev 6

  • Frequently Asked Questions +


    Question Answer 
     What is an opacity monitor? The Land 4500 MkIII is the most accurate continuous opacity monitor available for environmental compliance monitoring, combining groundbreaking innovation with simple, problem-free operation. Using double-pass transmissometry with a highly homogeneous LED light source and multi-prism retro-reflector, it delivers class-leading accuracy that ensures dust and opacity compliance limits are met with confidence—avoiding regulator fines while lowering costs through operational efficiencies.
    How does the 4500 MkIII work? Yes—the 4500 MkIII is certified to all major international standards including US EPA PS-1 (Performance Specification 1), ASTM D6216 (Standard Practice for Opacity Monitor Manufacturers), EN 15267-3 (QAL 1 for automated measuring systems) and holds MCERTS approval. Its performance has been independently verified to achieve the highest possible specification for fundamental opacity monitor performance parameters, giving you documented compliance confidence for regulatory audits.
    Is it US-EPA approved? The 4500 MkIII uses double-pass transmissometry with a 520 nm LED light source, measuring pathlengths from 0.5m to 15m (stack diameters 0.3m to 15m/1ft to 50ft). It achieves just 1.5% opacity calibration error with exceptional long-term stability: less than 0.3% opacity drift per month and 0.6% opacity per 22°C ambient change. The flood LED minimizes electronic drift while the glass multi-prism retro-reflector reduces thermal effects for the lowest possible detection limit.
    What's the difference between an opacity meter and a dust monitor? The 4500 MkIII is installed across power generation, hydrocarbon processing, steel manufacturing, cement, glass production, pulp and paper—essentially any combustion process that generates stack emissions requiring continuous monitoring. It's suitable for boilers, heaters, furnaces, incinerators and other applications where regulatory compliance for dust emissions and stack opacity must be documented. The rugged IP65/NEMA 4X design handles harsh industrial stack environments.
    How often does it need calibration? The 4500 MkIII connects via RS-485 Modbus interface and isolated 4-20 mA analog outputs for opacity, optical density or dust density readings. Optional Ethernet connectivity enables modern integration. Relay outputs provide system status, calibration in progress and alarm signals. The built-in display with intuitive icon/text menus allows on-site setup without laptops, while automatic zero and upscale calibration checks maintain accuracy with minimal operator intervention.

  • Documentation +

  • Video +

    • An Introduction to Opacity Monitoring
      An Introduction to Opacity Monitoring

      This presentation looks at how you can measure 'something' which you are required to measure by the environmental agency in the country in which you are operating, particularly the opacity.

    • Measuring Opacity and Particulate Emissions From Combustion Processes
      Measuring Opacity and Particulate Emissions From Combustion Processes

      An opacity monitor provides a simple and robust means for emissions monitoring in combustion processes, but under some conditions a particulate matter (PM) monitor may be necessary. This webinar will introduce the concepts behind opacity and particulate measurement, describe the key technologies and provide detailed insight into the requirements for a successful installation.

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