Gas Detection / Theory

[Basics]

Gas Monitoring Categories:

Combustible / Flammable Gas LEL, Explosive Hazard Oxygen - %Vol, O2 Deficient, O2 Enriched Toxic / Irritant Gases ppm, STEL, TWA

Combustible Atmospheres

Vapor Pressure

Flash Point

LEL and UEL...

Explosive Levels in Air

Gas Methane Ethylene Propane Pentane Nonane Hydrogen Hydrogen Sulfide Carbon monoxide Formula Mw (g) CH4 16.04 C2H4 28.05 C3H8 44.10 C5 H12 72.15 C9H20 128.26 H2 2.02 H2S 34.08 CO 28.00 Ex range (vol%) 4.4---16.0 2.3---34.0 1.7---9.5 1.4---8.0 0.7---5.6 4.0---76.0 4.0---46.0 11.0---75.0

Explosive Range
16 VOL% 4,4

Methane 100% LEL

UEL

Measuring Methods Ex

0-100% LEL range

Catalytic Oxidizing (also leak) Semi Conductor (also leak) IR - Infra Red FID (leak) - Flame Ionization Detector PID - Photo Ionization Detector

0-100 Vol% / %Gas

Thermal Conductivity Semi Conductor IR - Infra Red

Catalytic Detector Design

Catalytic Detector

Requires at least 9% v/v O2 for accurate readings Minimum 4% required for explosion

Wheatstone Bridge

Wheatstone Bridge
Used

by catalytic, and the thermal conductivity measuring methods Alteration of the electrical resistance, due to changing of the temperature The unbalance is electronically amplified and displayed as a value corresponding with the gas concentration

The Catalytic Sensor

D-Sensor K-Sensor

Operating temperature 450 C or higher Detection sensor (D) is catalytic active Compensation sensor (K) is catalytic inactive

18 LEL

Thermal Conductivity Principle

Sample

of the gas creates an unbalance in temperature, due to exchange or admission of heat The unbalance is electronically amplified and displayed as a value corresponding with the gas concentration

Thermal conductivity Sensor

26

Operating temperature 450 C or higher Sensors are catalytic inactive Resistor change due to heat exchange

Sensor Poisoning

Responds only to combustible gases Poisons (H2S, silicons, Freons, Fluorinated Hydrocarbons) can decrease the sensitivity

Point IR Technology on ULTIMA XIR

As combustible gas enters the open volume, the intensity of the source emission:

reaching the analytical detector is reduced reaching the reference detector remains the same

The microprocessor measures the ratio difference and correlates to a %LEL reading

E-Chem O2 Sensor
Counter Electrode

Membrane

Pb
Sensing Electrode Electrolyte 10% KOH

OXYGEN
Membrane

Au

Reaction at Sensing Electrode Reaction at Counter Electrode Nett reaction LED is being consumed!

O2+2H2O+4e => 4OH 2Pb+4OH => 2PbO+2H2O+4e 2Pb+O2 => 2PbO

Signal 7-15 mV

Effects of Low Oxygen

EFFECTS OF LOW OXYGEN Above 19,5% Necessary for normal life Threatening danger, dont enter the room, 14 - 19,5 % use independent breathing protection (SCBA) Deep breathing, higher pulse rate, worse 12 - 14 % coordination Faster and superficial breathing, dizzy, 10 - 12 % bad judgement, blue lips Nausea, vomit, unconscious, pale 8 - 10 % 6 minutes = 50% fatal, 8 minutes = 100% fatal Coma in 40 seconds, spasm, breathing stops, 4% death 0% Unconscious, death in 10 seconds

Measuring Methods Tox

Electro Chemical Detector Tubes (Reagents) Semi Conductor PID FID IR Photo Ionization Detector Flame Ionization Detector Infra Red

Toxic Effects
Organigramtitel

Toxic substances
Suffocate effect
Carbon Dioxide Methane Nitrogen Hydrogen Butane Propane

Caustic effect
Fuel gas Acid vapor Ammonia Sulfur Dioxide Formaldehyde Brome and Chlorine Hydrogen Fluoride Hydrogen Iod Nitrous gases Phosgene Hydrochloric Acid

Effect on blood and/or nerve system

Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen Sulfide Hydrogen Cyanide Gasoline/Benzene Toluene Methyl Bromide Chloroform Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) Ethyl Ether Lead Mercury gas

Electrochemical CO2 Sensor

Ref. Electrode Membrane

Pt
Electrolyte

Pt

Counter Electrode

Ref. Voltage Sensing Electrode

6N H2SO4

CARBON MONOXIDE
Membrane

Pt

Reaction at Sensing Electrode Reaction at Counter Electrode Nett reaction

CO+H2O =>Pt=> CO2+2H+2e O2+2H+2e =>Pt=> H2O CO+O2 => CO2

OP OP

Signal

Effects of CO2
Effects of CO2 changes of bleeding in veins 4-6 Vol% 40.000-60.000 ppm in the brain, head aches, dizziness paralyzing as if curare has 6-8 Vol% 60.000-80.000 ppm been used extinguishing of a burning candle, spasm, fast 8-10 Vol% 80.000-100.000 ppm unconsciousness, death Deadly within 20 Vol% 200.000 ppm a few seconds 0.5% Vol 5000 ppm TWA Value

Electrochemical H2S Sensor

Ref. Electrode Membrane

Au
Electrolyte

Au

CounterElectrode

Ref. Voltage Sensing Electrode

6N H2SO4

HYDROGEN SULFIDE
Membrane

Pt

Reaction at Sensing Electrode Reaction at Counter Electrode Nett reaction

H2S+4H2O =>Pt=> CO2+H2SO4+8H+8e 2O2+8H+8e =>Au=> 4H2O H2S +2O2 => O2+ H2SO4

OP OP

Signal

Physiological
PPM Vol% 0.1 0.00001 10 0.001 100 200 0.01 0.02 Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on People Effect Dirty smell (rotten eggs) TLV value, safe during 8 hrs Paralyzing smelling nerves in 3-15 min. Irritation on eyes and throat. Life danger after exposure of 8-48 hrs Smelling nerves immediately paralyzed, Irritation on eyes and throat. Life danger after exposure of 4-8 hrs Disturbance of balance, paralyzing of respiration in 3045 min. Immediate need for artificial respiration, lethal after exposure of 30-60 minutes Fast unconscious (max. 15 min), respiration stops, lethal after exposure of 2-15 minutes Immediately unconscious, brain damage, lethal after 3 minutes

500 700 1000

0.05 0.07 0.1

Thank You!