Effective Thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity is a robust and versatile measurement principle for continuous analysis of binary and quasi-binary gas mixtures. It is particularly effective where the target gas has a thermal conductivity significantly different from the background gas.

The sensor measures how efficiently the process gas transfers heat from a controlled sensing element. Changes in gas composition alter the heat-loss rate, producing a fast and continuous measurement signal. Thermal conductivity technology is therefore well suited to hydrogen, whose thermal conductivity differs considerably from that of most industrial gases. When installed directly in the process, the analyzer can avoid long sample lines, pumps, filters, pressure-reduction systems and continuous gas venting. This reduces sample delay and maintenance while providing a response that more closely reflects the actual process condition.

Typical applications include:
🔹 Hydrogen in nitrogen or oxygen
🔹 Total hydrocarbons in nitrogen
🔹 Hydrogen in natural gas or process gas
🔹 Sulfur hexafluoride concentration
🔹 Hydrogen purity and concentration in synthesis, refining and hydrogen-production processes
🔹 Helium processing
🔹 Gas blending operations

In more complex mixtures, density, pressure, temperature, moisture and background-gas composition may be included in a fusion model to improve selectivity and measurement stability.