Opacity and Dust Monitors

4500 MkIII Continuous Opacity Monitor

The 4500 MkIII is high-specification, accurate Dust Monitoring Equipment meeting global compliance standards for monitoring combustion processes.

Overview +

4500 MkIII is the most accurate and reliable continuous opacity monitor available, combining AMETEK Land’s ground-breaking innovation and simple design for precise, problem-free operation.

Unmatched, class-leading accuracy ensures compliance limits for dust emissions and stack opacity are met with confidence. This avoids the risk of regulator fines while lowering costs through operational efficiencies.

The 4500 MkIII employs a highly homogenous LED light source to minimize sensitivity to optical misalignment. The multi-prism retro-reflector reduces thermal drift for the lowest possible detection limit. Together with a flood LED to minimize electronic drift, these technologies provide you highly stable, highly accurate results.

Fitting stack diameters of 0.3m-15m (1 ft-50ft), 4500 MkIII is suitable for the continuous monitoring of dust and opacity in boilers, heaters, furnaces and other combustion applications in the power generation, hydrocarbon processing, industrial boilers, and steel industries.

COMPLETE COMPLIANCE
The 4500 MkIII achieves the highest possible specification for the fundamental performance parameters for 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.

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.

UNMATCHED CONTROL OPTIONS
4500 MkIII has all the compatible accessories you need to tailor it to your process. Options include a control room unit, auxiliary functions unit, fail-safe shutters and calibration accessories, as well as a range of mountings and adaptors for existing fittings.

Continuous Opacity Monitoring System

DID YOU KNOW? SPECIAL APPLICATION AVAILABLE….

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
  
  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
  
  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.

Related Applications +
- Flue Gas
  
  Glass production produces flue gas emissions which must be monitored. We offer the Lancom 4, Model 4500 MkIII and WDG 1200/1210, depending on process needs.
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  Combustion processes in many chemical processes produce emissions which must be monitored. We offer the 4500 MkIII, 4650-PM, WDG 1200, FGA and Lancom 4, depending on process needs.
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  The recovery boiler produces emissions which must be monitored to optimize efficiency and demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations. We offer the Model 4500 MkIII and Model 4650, depending on process needs.
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  Emissions measurement is important for pollution control and combustion efficiency. AMETEK Land recommends the 4500 MkIII or 4650-pm
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  Emissions control supports product efficiency and pollution control. Our recommended solution is the Model 4500 MkIII depending on process needs.
  
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- Emissions Monitoring
  
  Combustion processes generate harmful emissions of gases and particulate matter. We provide a range of opacity, PM and flue gas detectors for continuous monitoring, to ensure regulatory compliance and process efficiency.
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  Emissions control is important for pollution control and combustion efficiency. AMETEK Land recommends the 4500 MkIII, 4650-PM and FGA, depending on process needs.
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  Emissions measurement is important for pollution measurement and combustion control. AMETEK Land recommends the 4500 MkIII and 4650-PM, depending on process needs.
  
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- Stack Emissions
  
  Combustion processes in steel production produce emissions which must be monitored. We offer the Model 4500 MkIII, Model 4400 and Model 4650, depending on process needs.
  
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