Custom Instruments

LGR's technology based on cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy has been successfully applied for ultrasensitive measurements of many trace gases not explicitly addressed by our current product line for a variety of applications including atmospheric monitoring, industrial process monitoring and control, homeland security, and trace gas sensing. For example, we have developed prototype instruments similar to those listed in this catalog for measurements of many interesting gases including:
  • H2 (hydrogen)
  • H2CO (formaldehyde)
  • H2S (hydrogen sulfide)
  • HONO (nitrous acid)
  • N2O5 (nitrogen pentoxide)
  • NO (nitric oxide)
  • NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
  • NO3 (nitrate radical)
  • O2 (oxygen)

As with our standard products, each of these autonomous instruments includes an internal computer that stores data practically indefinitely on a large internal hard disk drive (for applications requiring unattended long-term standalone operation), and sends real-time data to a data logger through analog and digital (RS232) and ethernet outputs.

LGR has an active internal R&D and contract research program that is receptive to specialized product development and collaborations with industry, government and academia. Please give us a call to discuss your requirements and how we can develop customized instrumentation for your specific needs.

Project Highlight

In response to an unmet need in the chemical (olefins production) industry, LGR developed a novel analyzer for rapid, accurate quantification of acetylene and methyl acetylene in hydrocarbon cracked gas processing plants. The system utilized off-axis integrated output cavity spectroscopy to measure the near-infrared, cavity-enhanced absorption spectrum of ethylene, methyl acetylene, and acetylene to quantify the respective constituents. Tests performed under industrial plant operating conditions confirmed that the new instrument matched the sensitivity of state-of-the-art gas chromatography but with substantially faster time response and much larger dynamic range (0–1000 ppmv). Presently, commercial acetylene analyzers with stream-switching capabilities are now implemented in industrial facilities at Dow Chemical and other locations.

Citations:
1. L. D. Le, M. Gupta, J. D. Tate, M. B. Seasholtz, T. Owano, D. Baer, T. Knittel, A. Cowie, and J. Zhu, “Development of a Rapid On-Line Acetylene Sensor for Industrial Hydrogenation Reactor Optimization Using Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy,” Appl. Spectrosc. 62 (2008) 59.