Selection Criteria and Technical Communication of Gas Detection Instruments
Gas detector is a commonly used instrument for detecting the composition and content of gases. For various production scenarios and detection requirements, choosing the appropriate gas detector is something that every person engaged in safety and hygiene work must pay great attention to. Next, we will explain in detail:
1. Determine the purpose of using gas detection instruments
Firstly, you need to know what you want to use a gas detection instrument to detect? Before using instruments for testing, you should have a general understanding of the toxic and toxic gases in the monitored environment. If your answer is ambiguous, then gas detection instruments may not be a good detection method. At this point, the gas detection work needs to be transferred to the "expensive" laboratory analyzer - gas chromatography (perhaps mass spectrometry). The gas samples collected from the suspicious site are sent to the analysis laboratory for comprehensive analysis and testing, waiting for professional analysts to provide you with a detailed analysis report of gas types and concentration ranges. Then, based on this report, the more dangerous gas sensors in the entire environment can be found. If there are many hazardous components, a composite gas detection instrument can be selected.
2. Confirm the type and concentration range of the gas to be detected
The types of gases encountered by each production department are different. When choosing a gas detector, all possible scenarios should be considered. If methane and other less toxic hydrocarbons are predominant, choosing an LEL detector is undoubtedly more suitable. This is not only because the principle of LEL detector is simple and widely used, but also because it has the characteristics of easy maintenance and calibration. Of course, in areas where personnel are scarce and maintenance is inconvenient, or where gas leaks are unpredictable (such as enclosed spaces inside tanks), using infrared combustible gas detectors is a good choice.
If there are toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, a specific toxic gas detector should be prioritized to ensure the safety of personnel.
If there is a possibility of organic toxic gases (VOCs) causing poisoning to personnel, their concentrations are relatively low, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons (amines), ethers, alcohols, lipids, etc., the photoionization detector introduced in the previous chapter should be selected, and LEL detectors should never be used, as this may cause personal injury.
