A carbon dioxide analyzer is a gas sensor that monitors the amount of CO2 in ambient air. It warns the user optically or acoustically when a specified value is exceeded. It can also switch relays, allowing the instrument to control automatic ventilation equipment. It is used in a variety of applications from monitoring CO2 content in beverage dispense gases to detecting trace impurities in industrial and medical pressurized gases. The analyzer is insensitive to other atmospheric gases, ensuring accuracy and reliability of measurements.
The measurement principle of carbon dioxide analyzers is based on the difference in thermal conductivity between the sample and the reference gas. The change in light intensity caused by the temperature difference is proportional to the concentration of the sample gas. Infrared absorption spectroscopy and thermal conductivity are the most common methods for measuring carbon dioxide concentration.
Measuring CO2 Levels: The Functionality of Carbon Dioxide Meters
In order to test the response of a new CO2 analyzer to interfering chemicals, humidified gas mixtures with pure N2 and different interfering gases (NH3, NO2, CH4, O2) were introduced alternately into the carbon dioxide device at a rate of 6L/min for 30s. The response of the CO2 sensor to the simulated environmental air samples is shown in figure 4b. The maximum change in the light intensity increases with increasing concentration of the simulated environmental air samples, fitting to a Langmuir-like equation.
Using powerful Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy, the Spark CO2 Analyzer detects critical impurities in nitrogen and other pressurized gases with unsurpassed accuracy and speed, eliminating the need for costly zero and span calibrations. It is a compact and robust, explosion-proof unit with multi-range outputs of voltage proportional to carbon dioxide concentration or partial pressure as well as barometric pressure and temperature measurement. The analyzer provides flexible interface options including analog, digital (RS232), and Ethernet outputs allowing it to easily connect to any data acquisition or data logger system.