Gas Analyzer

The Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) is a scientific instrument aboard the Phoenix spacecraft. TEGA's design is based on experience gained from the failed Mars Polar Lander. Soil samples taken from the Martian surface by the robot arm are eventually delivered to the TEGA, where they are heated in an oven to about 1,000ºC. This heat causes the volatile compounds to be given off as gases which are sent to a mass spectrometer for analysis. This spectrometer is adjusted to measure particularly the isotope ratios for hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and heavier gases. Detection values as low as 10 parts per billion. The Phoenix TEGA has 8 ovens, which are enough for 8 samples...

A residual gas analyzer (RGA) is a small and usually rugged mass spectrometer, typically designed for process control and contamination monitoring in the semiconductor industry. Utilizing quadrupole technology, there exists two implementations, utilizing either an open ion source (OIS) or a closed ion source (CIS). RGAs may be found in high vacuum applications such as research chambers, surface science setups, accelerators, scanning microscopes, etc. RGAs are used in most cases to monitor the quality of the vacuum and easily detect minute traces of impurities in the low-pressure gas environment. These impurities can be measured down to 10 − 14 Torr levels, possessing sub-ppm detectability in the absence of background interferences.
RGAs would also be used as sensitive in-situ, helium leak detectors. With vacuum systems pumped down to lower than 10 - 5Torr—checking of the integrity of the vacuum seals and the quality of the vacuum—air leaks, virtual leaks and other contaminants at low levels may be detected before a process is initiated...

Portable infrared analyzer

Future regulations will, undoubtedly, focus on ways to improve accuracy and repeatability. One of the most obvious methods is the trend towards infrared and ultraviolet measurement technologies. Infrared, due to lower costs and more practical manufacturing methods will be more common. Not all gas components are optically active. One of the major exceptions is oxygen, and alternative methods will always be necessary in this case. There are enough means of measuring oxygen concentrations relatively accurately thanks to medical research anyway. The most common form of infrared analysis is the Non-Dispersive InfraRed. These sensors operate on the principle that a gas will absorb infrared radiation of a specific wavelength. Basically, it measures how much of a particular wavelength of light is absorbed over a set distance and relates this to the concentration of a particular gas. The practice is, naturally, slightly less simple due to various factors such as pressure and temperature effects as well as the non-linear response of such measurements in general.


The latest result is the portable infrared analyser. Infrared analysers were always bulky and expensive instruments requiring temperature-regulated enclosures and humidity control. Now it is possible to produce such an instrument in portable form and make this technology truly transportable. Instead of temperature and humidity control, there are measurement and electronic compensation of these factors, and such instruments can be made modular to allow the addition of extra components as it becomes necessary. Thus we have an analyser using the most modern technology at a fraction of the cost of earlier infrared fixed systems, yet retaining the accuracy associated with this technology. Particularly valuable for carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide measurement (CO and SO2), it is also widely used for carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons such as methane, which are otherwise very difficult to measure.


It is still not possible to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps! To use this type of instrument for stack testing requires the use of a high-quality sample conditioning system including an appropriate heated hose. A portable infrared analyser is just as susceptible to fogging of the optics due to condensation as its fixed brethren. Without a sample conditioner there is no hope of producing reliable and repeatable results, regardless of the quality of the instrument. Such a system will keep the sample gas at a temperature above the dew-point until it reaches a special cooler, usually a Peltier element. Here the sample is cooled quickly and the resulting water removed rapidly by a peristaltic or other pump. This prevents the soluble components from being absorbed by the moisture and also ensures that no water can penetrate the analyser system. No water is perhaps an exaggeration. It is never possible to remove 100 % of the water, but, provided the Peltier element is the coldest part of the system, there can be no condensation formed due to the low vapour pressure at points downstream of here.



This type of system used as a stack monitor will also have to reach an equilibrium state before use. In practical terms, this means that the system will have to run for about 30 minutes until it reaches a stable internal temperature before being used for measurement. This temperature will then be taken as the "zero" for all following measurements and provides a known baseline. This effect will be exaggerated in areas where air conditioning or building heating are in general use. The instrument will have to reach the temperature of the surroundings before use. In extreme cases it will be necessary to heat the casing of the portable infrared analyser to ensure that no condensation is possible inside the unit. The link will lead you to a page containing some tips for use of an infrared analyser.

Nevertheless, this represents a vast breakthrough in the accuracy of portable measurement technology, being specially suited to EPA compliance testing and the measurement of carbon dioxide and methane or other hydrocarbons. Infrared measurements of NOx and CO are also presently possible, although it is not really possible to measure NO2 directly with infrared technology.

Use of a portable infra-red analyzer for low-level hydrocarbon emissions

During some on-site tests, a portable infrared (IR) analyzer was used successfully to monitor for hydrocarbon vapors. The detection limit of the IR analyzer is much lower than that of most other hydrocarbon vapor monitors and can be used in situations where, as in most ambient air monitoring situations, the levels are often less than a milligram per cubic metre (mg/m3). Traditional procedures used to measure hydrocarbon concentrations at lower levels involves the collection of samples on-site, which are then transported to a laboratory for analysis. The advantage of providing continuous sampling data is that it may indicate trends in the hydrocarbon vapor emissions that may not be apparent using a grab-type sample. The initial tests were designed to determine if the IR analyzer was capable of monitoring the low-level hydrocarbons in a field situation. The findings from that initial work was followed by modification of the test procedure to include an upwind IR analyzer, shortened sampling cycles to produce more data, and additional canister samples collected outside the burn period. The metered grab samples, using Summa canisters, were collected over a 1 h period and any results would therefore, reflect an average value over the hour. The IR analyzer, with a sampling cycle of approximately 1 min, was able to produce a near real-time distribution of the hydrocarbon vapors in the test site emissions. Because the testing parameters and methods are quite different, it is difficult to compare these two methods, but indications suggest strongly that the use of this portable IR instrument could help to describe the hydrocarbon emissions downwind from a source, as well as to monitor for these hydrocarbons continuously, including situations where the levels are below detection limits of most portable detectors.

Gas Sensor for Mid-Infrared Trace Gas Analysis

A hollow waveguide mid-infrared gas sensor operating from 1000 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1 has been developed, optimized, and its performance characterized by combining a FT-IR spectrometer with Ag/Ag-halide hollow core optical fibers. The hollow core waveguide simultaneously serves as a light guide and miniature gas cell. CH-4 was used as test analyte during exponential dilution experiments for accurate determination of the achievable limit of detection (LOD). It is shown that the optimized integration of an optical gas sensor module with FT-IR spectroscopy provides trace sensitivity at the few hundreds of parts-per-billion concentration range (ppb, v/v) for CH-4

An analyzer for in-line measurement of expiratory sulfur hexafluoride concentration.

An infrared analyzer for the inert tracer gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is described and evaluated. The analyzer consists of a transducer and a processor unit. It is designed to operate in a nonrebreathing system with a ventilator and a computer. The transducer, which is placed over a cuvette with windows in the ventilator tubings, reads the SF6 concentration in the airway during the expiratory phase. At the end of the inspiratory phase, the zero level of the instrument is automatically reset. The response time and linearity of the analyzer were tested, and interference by other gases was assessed. Full response was reached within 20 ms after a sudden introduction of 0.5% SF6 into the cuvette. The analyzer-computer system had adequate linearity below 0.5% of SF6. Oxygen, nitrogen, and humid air had no influence on the analyzer signal. One hundred per cent nitrous oxide, 4% enflurane, 4% isoflurane, and 4% halothane caused signals corresponding to 0.010, 0.023, 0.022, and 0.043% SF6, respectively. Due to the method for zero reset, the importance of interference from these gases is greatly reduced when inspired and expired concentration approach each other. The disturbance from CO2 (10% CO2 gave a signal corresponding to 0.020% SF6) can be compensated for by including a CO2 analyzer in the set-up. The rapid response and the high sensitivity of the analyzer may make it useful for studies of pulmonary gas mixing and for measurements of lung volume during mechanical ventilation.

Non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer for testing gases containing water-vapor

Infrared absorption gas analyzer systems are provided with cells containing sulfur hexafluoride SF6 for determining the water vapor content of the gas to be measured. In another embodiment, sulfur hexafluoride is used as a selective filter for removing spectral components from a beam of infrared energy so as to prevent cross sensitivity which interferes with the measurement of other gas components. Electrical signals proportional to the water vapor content may be produced by measuring the increase in gas pressure as infrared energy is absorbed, by use of a diaphragm capacitors. In another embodiment, temperature responsive resistors measure the relative attenuation of the infrared energy as it propagates through respective gas components.

Oxygen Analyzer Sensor

Expedition - X Oxygen Analyzer Sensor (R17D): Replacement sensor for the Expedition - X. Comes standard with diffuser. 7 to 11 Mv range. Sensor shipped in a sealed package

Use / Application
1. Oxycheq Expedition - X
2. OxyCheq El Cheapo
3. De-Ox
4. MSA MiniOx I, II, III
5. RC Dive Spectrum
6. RC Dive Spectrum Pro Digital
7. Teledyne AD-300
8. Teledyne MD-300
9. Vandergraph VN202
10. CIS - Lunar
11. Ouroboros
12. VR3 Dive Computer O2 Analyzer Sensor

Tunable Diode Laser Measurements of CO, H2O, and Temperature Near

Laser-based in-situ measurements of furnace gases show promise for improving energy efficiency and pollutant emissions for steelmaking furnaces such as electric arc furnaces (EAFs). A near-infrared (IR) tunable diode laser (1.56 µm) has performed in-situ off-gas analysis of gas temperature and carbon monoxide and water concentrations in the exhaust gas region above a laboratory burner, with response times less than 1 second. These laboratory experiments related spectroscopic data to gas temperature and concentration data. The applicable range of conditions tested is representative of those found in a commercial EAF and includes temperatures from 1250 to 1650 K, CO concentration from 0 to

All Purpose O2 Analysis

The heart of the DF-300 family is the DF-310. This flexible and adaptable oxygen analyzer can handle almost any application. There are many ranges offered to meet the demands of your application. The electronics platform has been installed for over a decade, and now, in the DF-310, it is designed into a small package to reduce installation costs. The DF-310 uses our unique, non-depleting sensor and is available in 24 VDC and 110 VAC and 220 VAC versions. The DF-310 delivers:
Accuracy: the greater of ±3% Reading or ±0.02% of Range
Ranges are available from 0-0.5 ppm to 25%
Instantaneous response to O2 change
Fast response: typically less than 20 seconds to read 90% of a step change
Background gas compatibility for all inert and passive gases including N2, H2, CO, freons, hydrocarbons, etc.
STAB-EL™ option removes acids and ionic impurities from the electrolyte that could affect sensor performance
FDA Equivalency established to USP 23 Reference Methodology
DF-320 – For Classified Areas
The DF-320 is a specialized adaptation of the DF-310 O2 analyzer. The DF-320 is designed to handle Class I, Division 2 areas where potential explosions are a possibility, for example in natural gas pipelines.
The DF-320 provides the same sensitivity and ranges as the DF-310 plus Class I, Div. 2, Groups A,B,C,D, CSA and CENELEC Zone 2 certification. This allows you to apply the best in O2 analysis in harsh and hazardous environments

Dual Analyzer (H2O & O2)

Only Delta F can provide a moisture and oxygen analysis to ppt levels in a single unit - the DF-760.
The DF-760 is the only analyzer in the world that combines the industry standard O2 analysis capabilities of the NanoTrace II Oxygen Analyzer with the high accuracy and performance capabilities of TDLAS moisture analysis.
The NanoTrace non-depleting gas-phase oxygen sensor delivers:
Rapid response
An inert cathode immune to damage from trace levels of acids or hydrocarbons
A non-depleting anode - no drifting and no frequent calibrations
Combined these analyzers give you the one-two punch to knockout your moisture and oxygen analysis challenges.

Delta-F NanoTrace II DF-560 Oxygen Analyzer

NanoTrace II provides the lowest LDL in the industry. Part of the extensive APIMS testing by several third parties, including SAES Pure Gas Inc., is shown. NanoTrace II is an extension of the first NanoTrace used in semiconductor fabs and analytical carts around the world. It features a lower LDL, Data Graphing, Scheduled Automatic Calibrations, Automated Maintenance Logging, and a variety of other new capabilities. Every NanoTrace is manufactured under ISO 9001 control and is calibrated and operated for five weeks to ensure a fast and accurate start-up at your site.

The Ultimate Analyzer Performance
Very stable 75 ppt Low-Detection-Level in an industrial, low maintenance analyzer
Automated Maintenance
Executes automatic zero and span calibrations on a scheduled basis, or executes scheduled automatic "checks" and issues an notice when calibration is needed.
Automatic Maintenance Log records water additions, sensor data, and calibration activity to ensure good analytical practice and ISO record-keeping requirements.
Automated Data Logging
Builds 4 day and 30 day graphical records of analyzer readings.
A "Zoom" feature provides a close look at data anywhere in the long term record.
Select "Fill and Stop" or "Continuous" data collection modes.