subject: How Co2 Analysers Are Used In A Variety Of Applications [print this page] Carbon dioxide (CO2) represents either a valuable resource or a serious risk, depending on a given set of circumstances. For plant life, CO2 is essential to and healthy for photosynthesis, while it is a waste product for most animals and harmful to life. For these circumstances and more, CO2 analysers are crucial in monitoring and maintaining healthy or operable conditions.
In general, these analysers pump in a sample of the ambient atmosphere, subjecting the said sample to one or more CO2 detection methods. The results of said analysis are made available on an LCD, sometimes with the option of logging values for later plotting or other use.
Infrared detection methods are commonly used to analyse collected air for CO2 content. This gas absorbs infrared radiation. The air collection reservoirs on CO2 analysers feature two windows, one linked to an IR projector, while another houses a detector for measuring the amount of infrared light that exits. As such, by projecting a beam through the content of sampled air in a chamber, and by using an infrared detector to determine how much radiation escapes, the amount absorbed can be used to accurately determine how much CO2 is contained in the known quantity of gas the chamber holds.
Since humidity also plays a factor in CO2 analysis, many units feature mechanisms for moisture control of the sample. This helps to ensure both that the readings are more accurate, as well as the purity of the gas currently being examined.
Since excess or lacking carbon dioxide levels pose risks, many CO2 analysers feature audible alarms that warn of dangerous levels. Also, as is common with many scientific instruments, CO2 analysers also typically include RS232 serial or USB interfaces, as well as other mechanisms for connecting with data loggers or external controls.
CO2 analysers can be used in a variety of settings. Portable models are great for field studies. Studying volumes of CO2 at various locations is ideal for evaluating agricultural and ecological health by measuring plant and animal respiration. They are also useful for soil toxicology, volcanology and other environmental impact studies.
Larger, more accurate units are installed and calibrated for more permanent use. These units are not only capable of analysis, but can sometimes help regulate instances of excess or low carbon dioxide. Such installations are ideal for nurseries, growth chambers, indoor air quality monitoring or even in breweries, where excess CO2 concentrations might adversely affect the quality of finished products.
As has already been indicated, CO2 analysers are featured in a variety of industries and applications wherein both low and high CO2 levels are a concern. One interesting use of CO2 analysers is within Seattle's famous space needle.
In February of 2010, two separate analysers were installed into the needle, each measuring the quantity of Seattle's carbon dioxide emissions for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. The results, used for various environmental studies on the effect of large cities' impacts on the Earth's atmosphere, are made available online both in near real time, as well as in the form of trends in recent times.
