By analyzing gas mixtures or gas analysis , the quantitative and qualitative composition of the ambient air is determined, which is vital for some industrial processes.
In many industries, one of the most important steps in ensuring safety is monitoring the concentration of hazardous gases in the air of the work area.
Hazardous gases are classified into 3 groups:
- Toxic gases, examples of which are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorine and oxygen peroxide, which pose a risk of poisoning.
- Combustible gases pose a fire or explosion hazard. These include methane, ethane, propane and butane.
- Gases that have a choking effect due to the oxygen deficiency they cause.
The presence of hazardous gases in the air is determined by various gas analysis devices.
By functionality, these devices can be divided into:
- Indicators evaluate the air by the presence of the controlled component. Equipped with point indicators, which can be used to determine a lot or little of the monitored gas in the gas mixture. This group of devices also includes leak detector indicators designed to locate gas leaks.
- Alarms provide audible or visual alarms when the target gas concentration is reached. These include, for example, a series of portable signaling devices SGG , ZOND and OKA-M.
- Gas analyzers calculate and display the volume and mass of monitored gases in a gas mixture, can be additionally equipped with various threshold devices and a printer.
Gas analyzers differ in design. They can be installed stationary in the production area of the enterprise, or they can have small weight and size characteristics and can be easily moved to different objects ( portable gas analyzers). Portable are the smallest and lightest appliances.
Gas analyzers can monitor the concentration of one substance ( single component ) or several ( multicomponent ).
In terms of the number of measurement channels, the devices can be single-channel and multi-channel .
According to the purpose, it is customary to select the following gas analysis devices:
- to ensure work safety ,
- to control technological processes ,
- to control industrial emissions,
- to control vehicle exhaust ,
- for environmental control.
