Gas Analyzers
The function of gas analyzers, to identify the type of gas leaking from a pipe system or equipment, is essential to locating and repairing a leak safely. It is a tool often used before a
leak tester or
leak detector is brought in. Many industrial, commercial and home appliances use combustible or otherwise hostile gases such as methane in their appliances. It is important to analyze gas leaks to avoid potential hazards as some detection techniques, such as the basic
gas detectors and
electronic leak detectors, use flame or heated sensors. Although gas analysis was once a slow process, modern equipment often comes with computer software and web-based data acquisition to speed the process and allow for a wider range of comparison. Also, because of its relationship with computers and need to be mobile, gas analyzers are usually hand held mechanisms.
The most common gas analyzers are infrared and residual gas analyzers. Infrared systems evaluate the absorption of an infrared light that is emitted through an air source. The change in infrared wavelength can be analyzed to determine the constitution of the gas. Residual gas analyzers are rugged mass spectrometers that ionize the molecules in a sample. The ionized particles are separated based on their charge-to-mass ratio, which also identifies what specific gases are present. Residual gas analysis readouts may tell both the type and quantity of a given gas in the sample. It is also exclusively used in a vacuum environment, which is not true for infrared gas analyzers. Either type of gas analyzer can be configured to identify numerous gases and take multiple samples for more complete analysis. The measurements taken with an average gas analyzer numbers seven and includes gas density, leakage consumption rates and the combustible gas level.
