What is the infrared gas analyzer for CO2?

Infrared Gas Analyzer for CO2

An Infrared (IR) Gas Analyzer is an instrument for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide, or CO2, in a gas sample. The technology is based on the principal that CO2 molecules absorb infrared radiation at specific wavelengths. This property allows the analyzer to determine CO2 concentration by detecting changes in the intensity of infrared light passing through a gas sample.

Working Principle

The CO2 infrared gas analyzer operates using non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy. In this method, an infrared light source emits radiation through a sample chamber that contains the gas mix being analyzed. Since CO2 has characteristic absorption lines in the infrared region, it absorbs specific wavelengths of the light. A detector on the other side of the chamber measures the amount of light that has not been absorbed. By comparing the intensity of the light at the CO2 absorption wavelengths to the intensity at wavelengths not absorbed by CO2, the device can calculate the concentration of CO2 in the sample.

Main Components

  • IR Light Source: Provides the infrared radiation used to detect CO2.
  • Sample Chamber: The area where the gas sample is held for analysis.
  • Wavelength Filter: Allows only the specific wavelengths of interest to reach the detector.
  • Detector: Senses the amount of infrared light at the CO2 absorption wavelength.
  • Microprocessor: Calculates the CO2 concentration using the detector’s signals.

Applications

IR gas analyzers for CO2 are widely used in various industries and environmental monitoring. Some common applications include:

  • Monitoring and controlling industrial processes.
  • Checking the purity of gases used in food packaging and preservation.
  • Environmental monitoring to measure air quality and detect pollution.
  • Capnography in medical settings to monitor patient's respiratory status.
  • Assessing combustion efficiency in power plants and other facilities.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages:

  • High specificity to CO2.
  • Non-invasive and non-destructive analysis.
  • Capable of continuous and real-time monitoring.
  • Usually requires minimal maintenance and calibration.

Limitations:
  • Susceptibility to cross-sensitivity with other gases that may absorb infrared light.
  • Potential for drift over time requiring periodic calibration.
  • Limited to gases that have strong absorption in the IR region.
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