What is Calibration Gas?
Calibration Gas is a standard concentration gas used to calibrate gas detection equipment and sensors.
It is used to adjust sensors so that gas measuring instruments display correct readings. It is used for gas detectors for city gas and other gases, as well as for CO2 concentration meters for environmental measurements. Various Calibration Gases are available, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, etc., depending on the device.
Gas detectors and other instruments need to be calibrated periodically to maintain instrument performance. This prevents false positives and avoids false alarms. In addition, periodic calibration is often required by law in some industries.
Uses of Calibration Gases
Calibration Gases are used in a variety of applications. The following are some examples
1. Chemical and Manufacturing Industries
Hazardous or explosive gases may not be used in chemical plants or manufacturing facilities. When these gases are used, gas detectors and sensors must be used to quickly detect gas leaks.
Calibration Gases are used to adjust these sensors to accurately measure gas concentrations. Calibration Gases are essential to ensure early warning in the event of a leak of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulfide.
2. Energy Industry
In the oil and gas industry, monitoring for gas leaks and managing explosion risks is critical. Oil refineries and natural gas handling facilities use sensors to monitor leaks of flammable and toxic gases. It is important to calibrate these sensors using Calibration Gases and to calibrate them to accurately measure gas concentrations.
3. medical care
In the medical industry, Calibration Gases are used in respiratory testing equipment and oxygen meters. As an example, anesthesia gas monitoring equipment is often calibrated with Calibration Gases to ensure that the proper gas concentration is detected.
Principle of Calibration Gas
Calibration Gas contains a pre-determined concentration of gas. This reference gas is a reference gas that contains the same substance as the gas to be measured by the target gas detection device or sensor. This is the mechanism used to adjust the settings so that the equipment functions properly.
Gas sensors measure gas concentrations through chemical reactions and physical changes within the sensor. For example, in semiconductor or electrochemical sensors, when gas molecules come into contact with the sensor surface, a chemical reaction occurs and an electrical signal is generated. By using a Calibration Gas, the sensor sensitivity can be adjusted to match the gas concentration.
Gas sensors can be calibrated for a zero point, which is indicated when there is no gas, and a span point, which is indicated when the sensor detects the maximum gas concentration. In zero-point calibration, the sensor is set to detect no gas and there is no reference gas. Span calibration uses a Calibration Gas of known gas concentration to check and adjust the sensor response.
The above calibration is a mechanism to adjust the gas detector and gas sensor to ensure accurate value measurement. Calibration Gases play an important role in maintaining the accuracy of gas detection instruments and providing accurate data.
Types of Calibration Gases
The following types of Calibration Gases exist
1. Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a toxic and explosive gas and may be generated in chemical plants. Carbon monoxide is often monitored by carbon monoxide detectors because the generation and leakage of carbon monoxide can lead directly to personal injury. Carbon monoxide Calibration Gas is used to calibrate carbon monoxide sensors.
2. Nitrogen
Nitrogen gas is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and is characterized by its inertness. It is often used to set sensor standards in a gas-free state, such as zero-point calibration. In some applications, it is mixed with other gases.
3. Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen oxides, also known as nox and other gases, are a source of air pollution. It is mainly generated by vehicle and factory emissions and is measured by environmental monitoring equipment. It is often measured simultaneously with sulfur oxides, which are generated for the same purpose.
4. Oxygen
Oxygen is a gas that is present at about 21% in the atmosphere and is a tributary combustion gas. Because oxygen is always needed in combustion equipment such as boilers, the oxygen concentration of exhaust gas is often constantly monitored. Oxygen analyzers are also used as a safety measure because low oxygen levels in the environment can be harmful to health.