Types of Oxygen Analyzers

oxygen analyzers

An oxygen analyzer measures the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a gas or liquid, which is important to many applications in fields ranging from measuring flammability in glove box environments to monitoring exhaust gases for optimum engine performance. These oxygen sensors are able to detect trace levels of oxygen and provide a fast response, helping ensure that the process is safe and efficient. More info

Oxygen analyzers can be made using several different measurement methods and sensor technologies to meet the specific needs of an application. For example, zirconia oxygen sensors use heat and chemistry to detect oxygen, measuring the difference between the flow rate of a sample gas (stream A) and fresh air (stream B).

Electrochemical oxygen sensors are common in dozens of handheld safety meters because they are inexpensive, self-powering, and capable of measuring 0-100% O2. They use an electrolytic cell that contains working, counter, and reference electrodes submerged in an electrolyte. When oxygen reaches the working electrode, it triggers an electrochemical reaction that results in a change in resistance that is proportional to the O2 concentration.

Optimizing Oxygen Levels: The Benefits of Oxygen Analyzers in Various Applications

Optical oxygen sensors work very quickly, and can take measurements in less than a second. They are also highly accurate, with the ability to measure oxygen down to the parts per billion level. These are especially useful in processes like modified atmosphere packaging and weld purge monitoring that require low levels of dissolved oxygen. Lastly, there are narrow-band lambda oxygen sensors that use a ceramic element with a variable resistance depending on the temperature of the titanium dioxide. These sensors are used in the most popular types of multi gas detectors and portable safety meters.