Hydrogen Analyzer

A hydrogen analyzer is used for the continuous monitoring of atmospheres where hydrogen is present. It has industrial applications for corrosion monitoring, especially in Nitriding and other manufacturing processes. It is also used in power generation to monitor the gas atmosphere in a steam turbine generator. The hydrogen concentration in these atmospheres is measured to determine the %DA (Density Adequate) which must be met for correct operation of the steam generator.

How do you test the purity of hydrogen?

The analysis of gases in the power industry is relatively standardized due to the fact that many of the gaseous compositions of these systems are fairly consistent. This makes it possible to develop continuous monitoring systems that use sensors for different types of gases in a single platform and are configured for multiple types of measurement methods. A good example of this is our Hydrogen analyzer for monitoring the purity of a gas atmosphere in a power plant turbo-generator. This system monitors the gaseous composition of the atmosphere throughout the three phases of a turbo-generator’s gas usage cycle. This system includes a continuous hydrogen sensor that is used in conjunction with a photometric oxygen analyzer and a thermal conductivity detector.

These devices are designed for continuous, non-contact monitoring of a range of gases, including Hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and other light hydrocarbons. They are built for ease of use, interface flexibility and true process control. Our hydrogen analyzer for this application uses a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor which is inserted directly into the reformer burner flue duct. This provides a direct readout of the combustion gas mixture in real time and can quickly flag conditions that need attention such as low temperature or excessive methane escaping from the process.