Multi-gas measurement with NDIR sensors from smartGAS

SILAREX gas sensors from smartGAS enable the simultaneous measurement of up to three target gases with an NDIR multi-channel gas sensor. (Image: smartGAS)

NDIR sensors from smartGAS offer many advantages for emission measurement, process technology, and gas concentration monitoring. With the SILAREX platform, smartGAS now also offers standardized multi-channel solutions based on NDIR technology.

By principle, NDIR gas sensors are characterized by their high selectivity, measurement accuracy, long-term stability, low detection limits, a wide temperature range, short response times, and very low drift. The SILAREX NDIR sensors from smartGAS feature four optical channels in a single sensor: three of them are measurement channels for detecting gas concentrations, and the 4th channel is the optical reference. This allows three gases to be measured simultaneously with very high precision. The cross-sensitivities of the parallel measurement values are directly compensated within the SILAREX sensor, so the user receives fully processed and corrected measurement data via Modbus ASCII / RTU for further processing.

Gas measurement combinations now as standard

smartGAS now offers the SILAREX multi-channel sensors in various versions as standard on the European market. A possible gas measurement combination for emission monitoring includes carbon dioxide up to 20 vol.%, nitrogen monoxide up to 2,000 ppm, and sulfur dioxide up to 1,000 ppm. Dual-channel versions for measuring carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide with a focus on industrial production plants, combined heat and power plants, and power stations can also be realized. The SILAREX sensors operate with supply voltages of 10 to 27 VDC and a flow rate of 0.1 to 1.0 l/min. The average power consumption, including onboard heating for temperature stabilization, is approximately 7 W (@24 V).

SILAREX sensor platform as a development basis

In addition to the available versions for emission measurement, SILAREX also serves as a platform for other measurement tasks. For example, measuring sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) with 100 ppm as the measurement range in combination with CO2 is used in pest control or container fumigation. For high-voltage systems, SF6 with CO or tetrafluoromethane (CF4) are conceivable. CO2 and CH4 are the most important measurement parameters in biogas plants. For developing the respective measurement solution, smartGAS offers joint project and customization development based on SILAREX. The collaborative product development enables smartGAS customers to go to market with an outstanding product after the design-in phase. Critical prerequisites for a reliable measurement process, such as electrical and mechanical sensor integration and gas conditioning, are then precisely adapted by the experienced and specialized smartGAS team, eliminating technical risks for the customer.