Diagnostics, performance, and optimisation 

A boiler combustion analyser measures the gases involved in the combustion process, such as oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and unburnt hydrocarbons (CxHy, etc.), as well as the exhaust gas temperature and other important parameters such as the draft and pressure of the gas supply system. 
 
Using these measurements, an electronic combustion analyser can calculate values such as combustion efficiency and air pollution (CO2, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc.). It thus verifies that the boiler is working efficiently and meets the current air pollution standards. It also allows the heating engineer to detect performance problems in a boiler and to optimise its combustion process to reduce its energy consumption and therefore its operating costs. 

Safety, pollution, and standards

Combustion analysis is also a way of checking that a boiler is safe and reliable, which is important to avoid accidents, fires and excessive pollution. The efficiency of the boiler should therefore be monitored regularly and compared with the applicable standards. 
 
This is why all boilers must be checked every year or every two years, depending on the type of boiler and the fuel used. The check is carried out by a certified professional and consists of a visual and technical inspection of the boiler, including the use of a measuring instrument such as a portable combustion analyser. 
 
A boiler inspection usually ends with the creation of an analysis report that attests to the correct operation of the boiler. Today, this report is often automatically generated by the analyser and its associated application. It can be printed on-site using a wireless mobile printer, or sent in a digital version by email, generally in PDF format. 

Evolution of combustion analysers 

 
Flue gas combustion analysers have evolved considerably over the years due to the increasing importance of performance and air pollution regulations. This evolution has been rapid on several parameters and can be seen in the Sauermann - KIMO combustion analysers: 

• Improved accuracy 
• Increase in the range of measured parameters 
• Improved portability 
• Increased connectivity 

 
In this blog post we have summarised in several points the qualities that are important to demand from a modern analyser: 

• Very high CO resistance (read more about CO dilution technology) 
• The ability to measure NOx if required 
• Multiple cells for simultaneous measurements 
• Certified reliability and measurement accuracy 
• Wireless connection to mobile applications 
• Automatic creation of analysis reports for easy export 
• Exemplary ergonomics to speed up interventions 
• High mobility: compact and light 
• A shock-resistant device 
• A wide range of options at the time of purchase 

 
Other instruments for the control of combustion boilers 

• Gas leak detectors 
• Thermometers 
• Manometers 

Glossary of gases measured in a combustion analysis: