Most flammable vapor analyzers respond differently to different vapors. Whenever the process solvent is changed, the analyzer must be either recalibrated or reprogrammed to ensure that it’s measurement of the new solvent vapor is still accurate. This creates a challenge when trying to measure a mixture of solvent vapors, especially when using narrow-banded infrared sensors. Now let's compare FTA vs IR for process applications.
When comparing FTA vs IR for process applications, its important to remember that few analyzers react the same way to all substances.
An infrared sensor is a narrow-band instrument. It can usually discriminate between the substance of interest and background gases but it does not respond to gases outside of it's narrow range of vision.
The industry standard accuracy requirement for a flammable gas sensor is +/-10%. Response factors are therefore one of the most significant influences on accuracy, and can easily introduce large errors. Let's examine this concept when comparing FTA vs IR for process applications.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) establishes fire safety standards, including standards for the safe operation of processes. In our world we focus specifically on NFPA86, THE Standard for Ovens and Furnaces.
It addresses the safe operation of Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D ovens, dryers, and furnaces, thermal oxidizers, and any other heated enclosure used for processing of materials and related equipment.
