Flue gas analyzers

Combustion analyzers such as those from Sauermann - KIMO are measuring instruments commonly used to measure the efficiency and proper operation of liquid, gaseous or solid fuel boilers (oil, natural gas, wood, biomass, etc.). These devices produce heat to warm water or air in a heating system. 
 
A flue gas analyzer is also used to measure the combustion levels in an internal combustion engine, such as those used in cars, trucks, tractors, generators (gensets) and other motorised equipment. 

Flue gas analyzers

Diagnostics, performance, and optimisation 

A boiler combustion analyzer 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 analyzer 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 analyzer. 
 
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 analyzer 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 analyzers 

 
Flue gas combustion analyzers 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 analyzers: 

  • 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 analyzer: 

  • 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 

Glossary of gases measured in a combustion analysis: 

 

CO (carbon monoxide)

Colourless, odourless and toxic

Produced during the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gas, oil or wood.

CO2 (carbon dioxide)

Colourless, odourless and non-toxic

Produced during the complete combustion of fuels such as gas, oil or wood.

CxHy (unburnt hydrocarbons)

Harmful to human health and the environment.

Molecules of carbon and hydrogen that are produced during the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gas, oil or wood.

H2S (hydrogen sulphide)

Flammable, colourless, foul smelling, highly toxic.

Derived from the sulphur in certain fuels such as fuel oil and coal.

NOx (nitrogen oxides)

Can be harmful to human health and the environment.

Produced during the high-temperature combustion of fuels such as gas, oil or coal.

NO (nitric oxide)

Colourless, odourless and non-toxic

Produced during the combustion of fuels such as gas, oil or wood.

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)

Colourless, odourless and toxic

Produced during the combustion of fuels such as gas, oil or wood.

O2 (oxygen)

Colourless, odourless and non-toxic

Present in the air we breathe, necessary for combustion.