Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

combustion analysers

Glen
Glen Member Posts: 855
in THE MAIN WALL
Our company currently uses the PCA 25 analyser. We are considering an upgrade to a NOx capable machine - what are the preferences of the Wallies??
We have tried the KM 900 - (a disapointment) and are at the moment kicking the tires of the Bacharach 65 and Testo 300M instruments. This will be a gas only testing platform - as we will continue to use the PCA 25 for oil service. Your comments are appreciated.

Comments

  • Firedragon_4
    Firedragon_4 Member Posts: 1,436
    Check out Testo's 350M, pricey, but oh mama!

  • S Davis
    S Davis Member Posts: 491


    We use the PCA-55 and it workes great, the PCA-65 is the same I think except for the NOx sensor.

    S Davis
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    Fire Dragon :))

    :)) the probes alone could keep a guy in the world of adventure for Years:)) Good thing no one ever handed me one of those .i'd still be into service work:))
  • Rudy
    Rudy Member Posts: 482
    Glen

    Glen, there are some very important issues around NOx measurements you need to be aware of.

    First, an instrument like the PCA that measures 'NOx' actually has an NO sensor that takes the NO reading and multiplies it by the "5% rule". It used to be 'assumed' that NOx was about 95% NO and 5% NO2.

    That 'rule of thumb' has been pretty much proven to be only in the ballpark in the past couple of years.

    If you want to measure NOx for emmisions regulations, you need to get an instrument that has both an NO and an NO2 sensor.

    Another issue is the probe and hose assembly. To accurately measure NO and NO2 you need a sample conditioning probe which condenses the moisture out of the sample at the probe end.

    If not, the moisture that accumulates in the hose will scrub the NO/NO2 out of the sample before it reaches the instrument and result in low readings.

    If you only need to get in the 'ballpark' an instrument that only measures NO (like the PCA 65) will do, if you are trying to meet EPA requirements, you will need to look for an instrument that has both NO and NO2 sensors as well as a sample conditioner. The instruments Bacharach makes that do this are either the ECA 450 (suitcase) or the Fyrizer 270 kit (handheld).

    If you want to take a closer look at these two instruments, there is info on the corporate website: www.bacharach-inc.com .

    I know this is confusing (I certainly was!!). If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call 740-594-0033.

    rudy
  • Firedragon_4
    Firedragon_4 Member Posts: 1,436
    Yeah and I am a fickle

    guy, FACT!

    I've always loved ma toys, who ever has the newest one I'm in love with, what the hey at least everybody is busting to make a new one. We went almost 50 years with the same ole, same ole smoke tester, now it's who's on first?

    Can't wait to go to Hartford next week to see hopefully some new stuff, problem is technology's changing old ideas, nothing really new, just revamped, FACT!
  • Glen
    Glen Member Posts: 855
    That's an expensive toy -

    the Testo 350 - that is. Does it come in a convertible? What about colour??? Mags! Just joking - I'm not sure if we have a champagne budget! Nor do we need a unit that is fully compliant with your EPA or our Canadian emmissions reporting standard. The writing is on the wall however that any burner that is advertised and sold as a low NOx machine will have to proven on site as just that. I also understand the need for a moisture trap for accurate readings - there are several good ones available. To be specific - we are looking for an entry level analyser that is NOx capable - and with excellent resolution (accuracy) for standard combustion testing.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories