World’s fastest battery-powered NDIR CO2 sensor Ideal for Industrial Applications as can monitor up to 100% CO2 concentrations

Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS) Ltd, the LED-based CO₂ sensor specialists, has just unveiled its new, ultra-fast SprintIR^6S. GSS’ unique SmartIR™ technology has enabled it to create a sensor that can take up to 20 readings per second, with a six times faster response rate than the current SprintIR* due to it having a sample volume of only 2ml. The SprintIR^6S is available to measure CO₂ concentrations right up to 100%_, providing a cost-effective solution for high concentration monitoring that previously required very expensive sensors. The ultra-fast response is particularly relevant in industrial applications to monitor that the correct, high levels of CO₂ are being used.

“In many industrial applications, it is often vital to monitor CO₂ levels,” explained Alan Henderson, GSS’ Founder, “to check that an elevated level of CO₂ is being maintained at the right concentration for the process or product.  In this respect, the SprintIR^6S provides almost instant measurements – more than 20 readings in a heartbeat.”

An example is the Food Packaging industry, where high levels of CO₂ are used to keep food, such as sealed packages of meat and bagged salads, fresher for longer. On the production line, a sensor is needed to measure that the bags are being sealed with the correct level of CO₂, which can be up to 100% concentration.  The sensor must be able to work on small sample volumes and produce a result very quickly. The SprintIR^6S needs less than 2ml of sample gas and can produce a reading in a fraction of a second.  Waiting minutes for a reading of a sampled bag can result in many bags being processed incorrectly before the fault is noticed and corrective measures instigated on the production line.  Until LED versions became available, CO₂ monitors for these concentrations of 20% to 100% were the province of expensive specialised instruments.

“Low CO₂ concentration sensor solutions are also particularly important to monitor for any leaks in these industrial settings,” added Alan Henderson.  “For this, we have a range of ambient air CO₂ monitors that work in the 0 to 1% concentration range that are so low power that they can run for 10 years on a single battery.  Increases in CO₂ levels can rapidly have a negative effect on people, with alertness being increasingly compromised.  Our sensors provide a vital early warning.  400 parts per million (ppm) is the normal level of CO₂, and effects start from 1,000 ppm with drowsiness and yawning, rising to dizziness, unconsciousness and death. So this is very much a Health and Safety issue to prevent costly accidents and health problems – especially as CO₂ is undetectable to humans as it has no smell or colour.  Which is also why CO₂ levels are increasingly being recognised with legislation in offices, schools and homes.”

At less than a cubic inch (23.8mm in diameter and 24mm tall), the SprintIR^6S operates at between 3.25 and 5.5V with a power consumption of only 35mW.  The SprintIR^6S is available in measurement ranges from 0-100%. GSS will be demonstrating the new SprintIR^6S detector at the Sensors Expo in San Jose, USA from 28-29 June 2017. SprintIR^6S evaluation kits will be available from July.

GSS’ multi-patented SmartIR™ technology monitors the presence of CO₂ by detecting how much light is absorbed by CO₂ molecules as light passes through the sample gases – called Non-Dispersive InfraRed (NDIR) absorption.  CO₂ absorbs between 4.2 and 4.4 microns and the amount of light absorbed indicates how much CO₂ is present.  Typical CO₂ sensors use a heated filament to generate a range of wavelengths in the InfraRed (IR). This is very energy inefficient as the light has to be filtered to leave the required wavelengths, and a lot of waste heat is also produced. By contrast, GSS developed the world’s first commercial, mid-range IR LEDs that are specifically tuned to emit between 4.2 and 4.4 microns, making them highly energy efficient.

* Based on 0.1 litres per minute flow rate and 0-10% step change in CO₂ concentration.

Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS) www.gassensing.co.uk

GSS is a world leader in CO₂ detector technology with its unique, SmartIR™ technology.  Protected by several patents, this disruptive technology uses GSS’ proprietary LEDs to enable the company to set best in class records for fastest response times, lowest power consumption and longest product life expectancy. Based in Scotland, this technology innovator exports state-of-the-art sensors all over the world.  Tel: +44 1236781900

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