A hydrogen analyzer is a device or instrument designed to measure the concentration of hydrogen gas in a given sample. This type of analyzer is commonly used in various industries and applications where monitoring hydrogen levels is important, such as in industrial processes, laboratories, and environmental monitoring.
There are different types of hydrogen analyzers, and they operate on various principles to detect and quantify hydrogen gas. Some common methods include:
1. Gas Chromatography (GC): Gas chromatography is a technique that separates and analyzes components in a gas sample. It involves passing a gas sample through a column where the components are separated based on their affinity for the column material. The concentration of hydrogen is determined by detecting the separated components.
2. Thermal Conductivity Detection (TCD): TCD is a method that measures changes in thermal conductivity as a gas passes over a heated element. Hydrogen has a higher thermal conductivity compared to many other gases, and this property is used to quantify its concentration.
3. Electrochemical Sensors: Electrochemical sensors are devices that use a chemical reaction involving hydrogen to generate an electrical signal. The magnitude of the signal is proportional to the concentration of hydrogen in the sample.
4. Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Infrared spectroscopy involves the absorption of infrared light by molecules. Different gases absorb infrared light at specific wavelengths. By analyzing the absorption pattern, the concentration of hydrogen can be determined.