Pyro­elec­tric Detectors in Gas Analysis

A person's breath resembles a gaseous profile of their state of health. Thus, for example, diabetes, cancer, or stomach diseases can be reliably diagnosed by means of non-invasive breath gas measurement systems – without taking blood samples. NDIR gas analysis is also used in lung function diagnostics to determine the performance of the lungs, for example in competitive athletes. Gas detection also plays a role in hospitals. There, detectors are found in measuring devices that control the anaesthesia and composition of the anaesthetic gas mixture in the operating rooms.

Infrared detectors are fundamental for industry. They detect explosive or environmentally harmful gases in the event of gas leaks and are used to measure industrial exhaust gases in order to comply with emission limits. Elemental analysis is another field of application. In this context, the detectors are used to identify impurities in substances with different states of aggregation or in steel production to guarantee the correct composition of the steel alloy. In high-temperature drilling processes, infrared detectors measure the gas concentration and provide information about the drilling progress.

Blast explosions are a major risk in mining. A mixture of methane and air can ignite in the process. To ensure the safety of miners, the timely detection of methane is crucial. Infrared detectors detect even the smallest concentrations. Due to their small size, detectors are also used in portable safety devices such as mobile gas detectors. Their areas of application include the monitoring of workplaces and leak detection.

Pyroelectric detectors can be used to monitor metabolic processes of plants caused by photosynthesis. The measurement of CO2 is of particular interest here in order to research the absorption capacity of plants. Infrared sensor technology also plays a role in vehicle exhaust gas analysis. NDIR gas analysis is used to comply with applicable exhaust emission standards and to determine pollutant classes. It measures the concentration of emitted pollutants.

Furthermore, the detectors can be used to monitor coolants in industry, retail, or vehicles. As a component of leak detectors, they identify leaks where the environmentally hazardous coolant is leaking out. In this way, measures can be initiated in good time to secure the leak.

The monitoring of process gases is essential for the precise management of a process, but also indispensable for the safety of employees. Many process gases are flammable, highly explosive, and belong to the greenhouse gases. Also with a view to economic efficiency, process gases should be consumed in as small a quantity as possible. Particularly in the highly technical production of semiconductors, gases and waste gases are produced in many production processes. For this reason, permanent monitoring is essential. In the chemical or food industry, monitoring the room air also plays a decisive role. For safety reasons, the gases present must be monitored immediately and reliably.

Measuring devices for checking the breath alcohol level of drivers are also among the areas of application of gas detection detectors. They detect even the lowest breath alcohol concentrations and enable very accurate readings that serve the police as evidence of alcohol or drug abuse behind the wheel. One fifth of work-related accidents are also attributable to alcohol. It is not a new finding that the number of alcohol-related road accidents is a major problem. For this reason, bus drivers and train drivers must undergo an alcohol test before starting work.