Gas analysis is fundamental to understanding and optimising processes across catalysis, syngas production, renewable energy and related research. However, carbon monoxide can present a particular analytical challenge when it must be quantified within complex, multi-component gas mixtures.
Hiden’s CO Analyser addresses this challenge by providing quantitative CO measurement alongside our mass spectrometry systems.
Why Can Carbon Monoxide Be Difficult to Quantify?
In research areas such as catalysis, syngas and biogas, carbon monoxide often needs to be measured alongside gases including nitrogen (N₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄). These gases can produce overlapping background signals, making reliable quantitative CO analysis challenging.
The CO Analyser is specifically designed for dedicated CO quantification within these multi-component mixtures, supporting applications where changes in carbon monoxide concentration need to be understood alongside reaction performance, gas composition or changing process conditions.
Combining Dedicated CO Analysis with Mass Spectrometry
The CO Analyser is designed to complement the HPR-20 series and QGA 2.0 gas analyser, combining dedicated CO measurements with mass spectrometer data within an integrated gas analysis workflow. Researchers can therefore retain broad, multi-component analysis while adding targeted quantitative measurement of carbon monoxide.
The analyser incorporates a heated enclosure, automatic pressure compensation and 1/8-inch Swagelok® gas connections. A response time (t90) of 1.6 seconds at 700 ml/min for non-condensing samples supports continuous monitoring, with measurement ranges available from 0–2,000 ppm to 0–100%, depending on the application.
CO Analysis in Syngas
Composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, syngas can be generated through routes including the reaction of coal or biomass with steam and the partial oxidation of methane. It is used as a feedstock for the production of fuels, fertilisers, solvents and synthetic materials.
Real-time gas analysis can support investigation of redox cycling, catalyst stability and gas evolution. Combining mass spectrometry with dedicated CO Analyser measurement enables researchers to follow the wider reaction mixture while obtaining quantitative CO data in gas matrices that may also contain N₂, CO₂ and CH₄.
CO Measurement in Biogas Research
Biogas presents another complex analytical environment, with our gas analysers used to monitor gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide. Applications include online multi-stream monitoring, catalytic reforming, pyrolysis and biomass treatment, fuel-gas desulphurisation and biofuel analysis.
Where carbon monoxide must also be quantified within methane- and CO₂-rich gas mixtures, the CO Analyser provides dedicated CO measurement alongside the wider information obtained by mass spectrometry. This provides researchers with a more complete analytical picture of complex biogas-derived and reforming gas streams.
Supporting Quantitative Analysis Across Changing Gas Compositions
In many research applications, the concentration of CO must be interpreted alongside changes in several other gases as reaction conditions, materials or process parameters are varied.
Combining dedicated CO analysis with real-time mass spectrometry provides complementary information within the same analytical workflow: the mass spectrometer supplies broad multi-species analysis, while the CO Analyser addresses the specific challenge of quantitative carbon monoxide measurement in complex background matrices.
Dedicated CO Analysis from Hiden Analytical
Our CO Analyser provides a dedicated solution for researchers requiring quantitative CO analysis within complex gas mixtures, and adds targeted carbon monoxide measurement to the broader real-time gas analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry.
Whether you’re investigating syngas reactions, catalyst performance, biogas-derived gas streams or another process involving complex gas matrices, we can help configure an analytical solution around the gases and concentration ranges relevant to your research.
📖Learn more about the CO Analyser.
📧Contact Hiden Analytical to discuss your gas analysis requirements.
