UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF CO ANALYZERS.

The nondispersive infrared (NDIR) carbon monoxide combustion analyzer operating principles are explained and several extractive and in-situ analyzers are presented. CO concentration is determined from the amount of infrared absorption that takes place in the sample. The measurement is compared with a reference beam from the same infrared source directed along an identical path, but without the flue-gas sample. In this way, all error-creating effects common to both signals (opacity, dirty optics, etc) are eliminated. Some problems affecting these analyzers, such as corrosion, measurement errors due to the presence of foreign gases, opacity, etc. , as well as potential savings are discussed.