Cavity-Enhanced Gas Analyzer for Process Control Applications

70149 Many types of industrial process control require instrumentation that can provide continuous measurement of contaminant levels in sample gas streams. Current technology relies on gas chromatography, which is both slow and expensive. Therefore, several key chemical industries are actively pursuing faster and cheaper analytical methods that are comparably robust. This project will develop a robust, ultrasensitive gas analyzer based on optical absorption spectroscopy. This analyzer, founded upon patented cavity-enhanced techniques, could provide the necessary sensitivity for many industrial applications while reducing costs and increasing sampling rates. Phase I will begin the transition of this technology from the laboratory to the field. Issues of automation will be addressed and long-term testing will be conducted using actual industrial gas samples. In particular, the device will be tested by measuring acetylene contamination in an ethylene gas flow. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The process control monitor should have enormous commercial application in all fields of industrial chemistry. The acetylene monitor alone could generate 3-6 million dollars in annual revenue. By adapting the analyzer to monitor water or nitric oxide, the potential market value increases to over 30 million dollars. Additional adaptations into the petrochemical field and environmental monitoring are also possible.