Trace Oxygen Analyzers and Transmitters – Oxygen PPM

Oxygen Monitors Used To Ensure The Suitability Of Glove Box Atmospheres Oxygen monitors and analyzers are often used as a diagnostic tool to ensure the quality of the inert atmosphere within a glove box. Unlike a storage compartment within a car’s dashboard, however, there is another type of glove box used by industry, government institutions, and university laboratories. This “other” type of glove box (A.K.A. dry box) is a sealed enclosure designed to isolate reactive and/or hazardous materials. Glove boxes are typically fabricated from plexiglas, stainless steel, acrylic plastics, or a combination of the above and have (a) transparent side(s). The enclosures are equipped with gloves fabricated from rubber, Hypalon, or other chemical resistant materials that provide users the ability to manipulate materials within the glove box without risking contamination of the materials and concomitantly protect the user. Glove boxes can be configured as free standing devices or for bench-top use. When an inert atmosphere is required, the enclosures are normally purged with high purity nitrogen or argon. This inert atmosphere is maintained at a slightly positive pressure to [...]

Measuring PPM Oxygen for Welding Applications Not all welding applications require inert shielding gas. However when it does, use of an accurate and reliable trace oxygen analyzer is an essential tool.  TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding of titanium requires the use of inert shielding gas, typically either high purity argon or a mix of argon/helium containing under 100 parts per million (PPM) of oxygen. Air contains 209,000 PPM of oxygen, so in order to create an acceptable atmosphere within the weld box (avoiding leakage of air into the box), a constant purge of inert shielding gas is normally applied. To help ensure oxygen levels within the weld box are at acceptable levels, a trace oxygen analyzer becomes a critical tool. Excessive levels of oxygen often lead to poor quality welds. The following video helps to describe the necessity of measuring trace oxygen in inert shielding gas. Caution should be exercised when selecting an oxygen analyzer for welding applications.  When PPM oxygen measurements are required, avoid analyzers that only measure percent oxygen levels. Most of these types [...]