Would like info on Combustion Analyzers, gases measured, units, functions

njwebdevguy

Hello,



Would some of you folks who have Combustion Analyzers be willing to post what gases they measure, what the range of values they measure, and what functions they execute with the info they collect. Also, would it be possible to leave a combustion analyzer in place as a permanent addition to a heating setup.



I'm gathering they have a probe which is inserted inline in the exhaust gas flow, (chimney/flue) etc. Are there any other points at which the analyzer does its analysis? (do they analyze air intake?)



I'm basically wondering whether its possible to build one and how much it would cost.



How are they calibrated? Do you use reference samples?

njwebdevguy

What's in a Combustion Analyzer? What does it measure?

Would it be enough to measure O2, CO2, CO, and  (which? all?) of the following..



"Natural Gas"

LPG and propane

butane

methane

H2

Alcohol



Then what kind of number crunching/display needs to be done?



Thank you!

Tim McElwain

If you go online

to the various websites of the folks who make these you will get all the info you are asking for.



Bacharach, Testo, Wohler, UEI, E Instruments, TSI are just some of the manufacturers.



These all use a probe which must be placed in the flue connection  of the appliances. The probes include a thermocouple type sensor inside the probe for measuring flue gas temp. 



The testers can be set for measuring



Natural gas (methane)

Propane (LP)

Butane

#2 oil

#6 oil





These testers are designed to measure flue gases and analyze them and give readings such as



O2,



Flue Temp,

 

Carbon Monoxide diluted



Carbon Monoxide air free (actual CO)



CO2 which is actually not directly measured with a sensor but is a calculated reading done by the meter electronics.



Efficiency same thing it is a calculated reading



Draft in inches water column typically



Some testers also measure nitrous oxide



There are some very expensive instruments that are also available which are typically used on some commercial and industrial applications.