Back to the Basics: Flame Temperature

May 27, 2016

The flame temperature detector measures the heat given off by a flame as it burns combustible gas that diffuses into the flame from the sample. 

The small, well-regulated flame heats the tip of a temperature sensor suspended directly above it. The signal produced by the sensor when no flammable vapors are present drives the LFL indicator up to 0% LFL. This failsafe technique is known as a "live" zero because a weakening or loss of flame caused by lack of fuel will generate a downscale malfunction alarm. 

Back to the Basics: Flame Ionization

May 20, 2016

Flame ionization is a well-established measurement technique.

Back to the Basics: Infrared Absorption

May 13, 2016

Combustible gases absorb infrared radiation at certain characteristic wavelengths.

A typical non-dispersive infrared detector passes a pulsed source of infrared energy through the sample, and measures the energy received by two detectors.

One “active” detector responds to wavelengths in the same band as the combustible gas, and the other detector responds to wavelengths in a reference band to compensate for changes in the source.

Back to the Basics: Catalytic Combustion

May 6, 2016

The catalytic detector consists of two small electrically heated beads having a finely divided platinum or palladium coating on the surface. A reference bead ONLY responds to changes in:

  • temperature
  • pressure
  • humidity

The active bead ALSO responds to: