Everything You Need to Know About an Emissions Analyzer

Most people have no idea what the terms "continuous emission monitoring" or "process gas analyzers" mean, yet it’s a product that they have most likely used at least once in their lives, and possibly may use every day. While these systems may not be commonly discussed and understood, they are a vital part of modern life and many conveniences that are now enjoyed would be impossible without them. Here are a few of the applications you can find them in and a little bit about how they work. To see some examples of high-quality emissions analyzers, visit MRU-Instruments.com and get a better idea of how these innovative machines look.

Components

An emissions analyzer is a complicated piece of equipment that can detect trace gases in the atmosphere and provide readings of the various substances. Standard systems include a sample, or umbilical, line to retrieve a portion of the air, a gas conditioning system to separate and distinguish different gases, a filter to remove particles which are not involved in the testing, a sample probe, a calibration gas system and gas analyzers which are used to indicate the parameters of the substances being monitored. Emissions that are typically monitored include carbon monoxide, mercury, oxygen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, airborne particulate matter, hydrogen chloride and other volatile organic compounds. In addition to detecting the amount of each of these gases in the air sample, machines are also capable of measuring the flue gas opacity, moisture and air flow.

Various Methods

There are two methods for analyzing the emissions output: the dilution method and the direct method. In the dilution method, once the air sample is extracted into the sample probe by a pump, itis diluted and then sentthrough the sample line to a manifold. Here, individual analyzers are able to extract samples and measure concentrations for each type of gas being tested, often using chemiluminescence, fluorescence, infrared and ultraviolet absorption and beta ray absorption. Once the sample has been analyzed, it is vented outside and authorities receive data from each analyzer to collect and record the emissions information.

Another method that is often used in settings where emission rates are very low is the hot dry or direct method.During this process, the umbilical line is heated and once the air sample has passed into the sample conditioning unit, it is filtered and then dried, often by use of a chiller to remove moisture. It then enters the sampling manifold and the same methods as indicated above are applied. This method is especially effective for measuring the percentage of oxygen in the sample, a reading which can be required for emissions corrections.

Possible Applications

When emissions analyzer systems were first developed, they were primarily used in industrial settings where flue gas could reach dangerously high concentrations. Currently, there are several other applications for them, such as in emissions tests for car safety, detecting greenhouse gas emissions and by operators at airports. This technology may even exist in your own home; it can be used in small portable devices known as carbon monoxide detectors.

While this technology may not be widely understood and recognized by the general public, it has created several advantages for professionals in various scientific fields. The many applications and uses for an emissions analyzer make it one of the most useful systems available in this industrial day and age.