An oxygen analyzer is a device used to measure the amount of oxygen in a gas stream. These devices are used in many applications including, but not limited to: combustion control in power generation, furnace optimization in refinery and petrochemical applications, product quality assurance in vent headers, and process safety in ethylene production.

The oxygen analyzer uses a variety of detectors or sensors to determine the concentration of oxygen in a gas stream. Some of these include electrochemical, zirconium oxide, and paramagnetic detectors. The type of sensor or detector used in an oxygen analyzer will vary depending on the environment it is installed in.

Demystifying Oxygen Analyzers: How They Work and Why They’re Essential

For example, an electrochemical sensor utilizes a sample cell containing dissimilar metals immersed in an electrolyte solution. When oxygen molecules enter the solution, a chemical reaction takes place that generates a current proportional to the amount of oxygen in the sample. The sensor then measures this current to determine the oxygen concentration.

On the other hand, an optical sensor, such as fluorescence quenching, uses a fiber coated with a chemical that will luminesce when exposed to an oxygen gas stream. The amount of luminescence will be proportional to the oxygen concentration in the stream and can then be measured by an optical sensor.

Another type of oxygen sensor, known as a ppb (parts per billion) oxygen analyzer, uses a zirconium oxide sensor that can last 10+ years. It is well suited for environments where there may be low levels of oxygen such as semiconductor tools, wafer transfer tools, cryogenic gloveboxes, nitrogen gas lines, and 3D printers. The ppb oxygen analyzer can be connected to these environments via a 10-foot cable or KF-type vacuum fitting and provides a real time reading of the oxygen concentration. The ppb oxygen analyzer also includes built in audible and visual alarms that alert staff when oxygen levels are too low.