Back to the Basics: Sample Line Length and Diameter

A major delay in the response time of the analyzer comes from the length and inner diameter of the sample tubing. 

The sample transport delay is increased by the square of the sample tube’s inside radius, and in direct proportion to its length. Doubling the inside diameter of the sample tube will quadruple the time delay it causes. Although the maintenance interval can be increased by the use of a large inner-diameter tube, such delays are usually unacceptable. 

Back to the Basics: Sample line leaks

Any tendency for leaking in the sample tubing or analyzer is to be avoided, as it will directly affect the accuracy of the reading. For this reason stainless steel or a similarly strong and durable material should be used for sample tubing. 

Leaks can be detected by a "probe injection" of calibration gas. In this method calibration gas is injected close to, or directly at, the very end of the sample tube, and the reading is compared to that reading obtained from the routine calibration method (injection directly at the analyzer).