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1979
Company founded by Dr. Günter Schunck
LFE was founded in 1979 by the renowned developer Dr. Günter Schunck, who was known, among many other things, for his groundbreaking work on microflow sensors for process NDIR photometer systems. The BINOS™ system from Emerson Process Management as well as the Ultramat™ system from Siemens resulted from this work.
1980
LFE's thermal conductivity detector introduced
The first iteration of LFE's unique, patented TCD was introduced in 1980. It featured spatially and electronically separated heating filaments defining a new level of flexibility for the TCD principle, combining quick response and low flow-rate dependency with high corrosion resistance.
1980
CONTHOS 1 | Process TCD gas analyzer
LFE's first TCD process gas analyzer series was introduced in 1980 and was in manufacture until 2000 when it was replaced by the CONTHOS 2.
1980
Move to commercial area in Maintal
Originally located in Dr. Schunck's family house, by 1980 the company was hiring its first employees. The relocation to Maintal allowed controlled expansion over the coming years.
1982
TOC-400 | Process TOC analyzer
LFE's first process TOC analyzer was designed in close cooperation with the former Hoechst Chemical corporation located in nearby Frankfurt am Main. The TOC-400 utilized high temperature oxidation and featured a patented measuring principle centered around the CO2 NDIR analysis directly in the reactor exhaust at a continuous temperature of 160°C. This resulted in unsurpassed measurement stability in industrial environments. The original TOC-400 series was manufactured until 1995.
1984
COSO | Environmental gas analyzers for trace analysis of SO2, O3 & NOx
LFE developed the COSO series of trace gas analyzers for SO2, O3 and NOx in cooperation with the German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst). These analyzers utilized electrochemical cells which were highly sensitive to trace concentrations of the chosen components. The COSO series with its requirements for various chemicals was unfortunately not as attractive for customers as analyzers employing physical detectors and was therefore discontinued in 1988.
1986
pControl 1 | Back pressure controller
LFE's backpressure controller was born out of the need for a highly accurate, electronically controllable, absolute pressure controller having a wide flow dynamic range and allowing for multiple gas analyzers to be controlled simultaneously.This 1st generation backpressure controller was replaced by the pControl 2F in 2008.
1987
TOC-100 | Process TOC analyzer
The TOC-100 was designed as a complementary product to the TOC-400. The TOC-100 allowed for much lower TOC ranges and featured an open design for easy maintenance access. The TOC-100 was manufactured until 1996 when it was succeeded by the TOC model 600.
1990
OEM - Specific gravity sensor
Our specific gravity sensor was born in the Institute of Technology in Karlsruhe. LFE was asked to take the original design and improve upon it for industrial use.The specific gravity sensor has required few improvements over the years and remains a part of our portfolio.
1995
TOC-400 II | Process TOC analyzer
The TOC-400 II was the successor of the TOC-400. The electronics were totally redesigned for microprocessor control allowing greater overall flexibility and self-diagnosis. The TOC-400 / 400 II series was discontinued in 1996 and replaced by the TOC-600 which built upon the design.
1997
TOC-600 | Process TOC analyzer
The TOC-600 succeeded both the TOC-400 and TOC-100 models, combining various features of these instruments. The analyzer had a full enclosure with a 2 dimensional component layout for easy maintenance access. The TOC-600 was discontinued in 2004 when it was replaced by the TOC-800.
1999
Gary Brown steps into the management
After the passing away of Dr. Schunck, his son-in-law Gary Brown stepped up into the position of managing director. Gary was intimately involved with LFE early on, performing various jobs during semester breaks until completing his graduate degree in applied physics at the Technical University of Darmstadt. Gary has been with LFE ever since and has been involved in all aspects of the company.
2000
CONTHOS 2 | Process TCD gas analyzer
The CONTHOS 2 succeeded the CONTHOS 1. It offered microprocessor based electronics for greater flexibility and self-diagnostics. The CONTHOS 2 was replaced by the CONTHOS 3 in 2013.
2005
TOC-800 Process TOC analyzer
The TOC-800 introduced a redesigned component layout into a more compact cabinet, while maintaining excellent accessibility for maintenance. The sample feed pump(s) and sparger components were located on a wall-mounted plate for easy maintenance and flexibility. The microprocessor based electronics were redesigned and improved. Numerous components received higher protection against adverse environmental effects for increased long-term reliability. The TOC-800 was replaced by its direct successor, the TOC-810, in 2015.
2005
USR-F | Ultrasonic sample filter system
The USR-F self-cleaning, ultrasonic filter system was developed in order to provide a low maintenance filter system for online water analyzers.
2007
USR-S | Ultrasound Cleaning System for process liquid analytical sensors
The ultrasound module of the filter system USR-F was modified to accept up to 3 process liquid analytical sensors.
2008
pControl 2 | Back pressure controller
The pControl 2F is a redesign of its predecessor. It now offers flexible microprocessor control including self-diagnosis and is presented in a wall-mounted, purgable enclosure.
2011
Relocation to Bruchköbel in new company building
In March 2011 LFE relocated to its new, modern facility in the city of Bruchköbel, just to the northeast of Frankfurt am Main.
2013
CONTHOS 3 | Process TCD gas analyzer
The CONTHOS 3 replaces its predecessor with completely redesigned electronics. The redesign includes comprehensive self-diagnostics and makes full use of numerous improvements made in LFE's unique thermal conductivity detector over the years.
2014
CONTHOS 3 | Process PMD gas analyzer
The CONTHOS 3 platform was modified to operate with a paramagnetic oxygen detector.
2014
TOC-810 Process TOC analyzer
The TOC-810 is the direct replacement of the TOC-800. The basic instrument design remained unchanged, whereas the electronics were completely redesigned providing higher flexibility and significantly more comprehensive self-diagnostics.
2015
Series 54 Peristaltic Pump
The Series 54 peristaltic pump was born out of the need for a more flexible sample feed pump for use with our TOC analyzer systems. Customer feedback at the time motivated us to add features, such as remote control, to the pump allowing flexible integration into various other process analytical scenarios
2018
OEM - Thermal conductivity detector
LFE now offers its unique TCD as an OEM product for integration in process gas analyzers. The microprocessor controlled signal processor provides the necessary signal output as well as self-diagnosis features.
2023
Dr. Jörg Gottschald completes the management team
Dr. Gottschald has been a part of the LFE family since 2020. He came to LFE with over 20 years of experience in the field of gas analyzers. 10 of those years were spent working for Emerson Process – the finals years as the R&D manager for process gas analyzers. Dr. Gottschald completed his PhD in physics at the Institute of Applied Physics of the University of Gießen with the focus on semiconducting gas sensors.
