INFRARED GAS ANALYZER

Infrared gas analyzer

An infrared gas analyzer measures trace gases by determining the absorption of an emitted infrared light source through a certain air sample. Trace gases found in the Earth's atmosphere get excited under specific wavelengths found in the infrared range. The concept behind the technology can be understood when considering the greenhouse effect. When sunlight hits the Earth's surface, the incoming short wave radiation gets turned into long wave infrared radiation that is reflected back into space. If the planet has a thick atmosphere, much of this radiation is absorbed by the "greenhouse gases" in the atmosphere which act as an insulative blanket. The infrared gas analyzer works using a similar principle.
Infrared gas analyzers usually have two chambers, one is a reference chamber while the other chamber is a measurement chamber. Infrared light is emitted from some type of source on one end of the chamber, passes through a series of chambers that contains given quantities of the various gases in question.