Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Infrared Gas Sensor

I
nfrared (IR) gas detection is a well-developed
measurement technology. Infrared gas analyzers
have a reputation for being complicated, cumbersome, and expensive. However, recent technical advancements, including the availability of powerful amplifiers and associated electronic components, have
opened a new frontier for infrared gas analysis. These
advancements have resulted from an increase in demand in the commercial sector, and these demands
will likely continue to nourish the advancement of this
technology.
Gases to be detected are often corrosive and reactive. With most sensor types, the sensor itself is directly
exposed to the gas, often causing the sensor to drift
or die prematurely.
The main advantage of IR instruments is that the
detector does not directly interact with the gas (or
gases) to be detected. The major functional components of the analyzer are protected with optical parts.
In other words, gas molecules  interact only with a light
beam. Only the sample cell and related components
are directly exposed to the gas sample stream. These
components can be treated, making them resistant to
corrosion, and can be designed such that they are easily removable for maintenance or replacement.
Today, many IR instruments are available for a wide
variety of applications. Many of them offer simple