Overview
The ppm-level and percentage-level (%) CH4 gas analyzers are widely used in natural gas transmission, biogas/biomethane plants, coal mine safety, petrochemicals, and greenhouse gas monitoring. Utilizing high-sensitivity TDLAS or NDIR technologies, the ppm-level analyzer excels in micro-leak detection, high-purity gas impurity control, and fugitive greenhouse gas monitoring. Meanwhile, the percentage-level (%) analyzer focuses on natural gas calorific value determination, biomethane upgrading efficiency, coal bed methane (CBM) utilization, and chemical synthesis loops, serving as indispensable instrumentation for both process optimization and safety.
Principle
Various polyatomic gases (CO, CO2, CH4, etc.) absorb infrared light not the whole band, but only a part of the band, which are called characteristic absorption bands. Different gases have different infrared absorption wavelengths. Infrared photometry analyzer is based on the characteristic of selective absorption of infrared radiation at different wavelengths of certain gases. When infrared light pass through a gas mixture, the measured component of the gas absorbs the infrared radiation energy, according to the Lambert-Beer absorption law, the concentration of a gas can be determined from the change in light intensity.
Application
• Natural Gas Pipeline Leak Detection: High-sensitivity mobile or stationary monitoring along long-distance city gas pipelines and compressor stations to detect micro-leaks early.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Tracking: Continuous monitoring of fugitive methane emissions around landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and shale gas fracking sites for environmental compliance.
Industrial Hygiene & Explosion Protection: Ambient air monitoring in chemical plants and enclosed municipal spaces to prevent combustible gas accumulation.
• Renewable Energy & Biogas Upgrading [Percentage-Level % Range]
Biogas & Biomethane Production: Measuring high-concentration CH4 (typically 50% to 70%) in raw anaerobic digester gas to evaluate biological reaction health.
Upgrading Efficiency Assessment: Monitoring CH4 purity at the outlet of membrane or water-scrubbing systems to ensure the upgraded biomethane meets gas grid injection standards (>95%).
• Natural Gas & Coal Bed Methane (CBM) [Percentage-Level % Range]
Calorific Value & Custody Transfer: Continuous determination of methane content in natural gas pipelines to calculate thermal energy value and facilitate fair trade.
Coal Mine Gas (CBM) Utilization: Monitoring the concentration of drained methane from coal seams to safely optimize gas-engine power generation and prevent explosive air mixtures (safe drainage tracking).
• Petrochemical Processes & Gas Purity [Dual Range]
Syngas & Hydrogen Purification [ppm to %]: Measuring methane slip in steam methane reforming (SMR) and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems to evaluate catalyst conversion and purification efficiency.
High-Purity Gas Quality Control [ppm]: Detection of trace methane impurities in electronic-grade gases, bulk nitrogen, or oxygen used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Measurement components and ranges
• CH4: 0 ~ 500ppm up to 100%(Vol)
For detailed introduction, please refer to Infrared photometry analyzer.