Laser Diode Gas

Sensors
Photonic Sensors
Swiss Laser Net Workshop Biel
17.09.09

Thomas Hessler
Overview

„ Leister and ist photonic activities

„ TDLS detection principle

„ TDLS product plattform

„ Applications
LEISTER Process Technologies

PLASTIC WELDING PROCESS HEAT LASERSYSTEMS MICROSYSTEMS

 Corporate Sites

Kägiswil, CH Kägiswil, CH Sarnen, CH

Axetris, Corporate Headquarter Production,

Production Marketing & Sales, Logistics
Administration,
Corporate R&D

LEISTER Corporate
Photonic Sensor Activities at Axetris

Micro-Optics IR Sources Laser Gas Sensors

Refractives and Broad band thermal IR Tunable Diode Laser
diffractives for optical emitters for NDIR gas Gas Sensors
sensors sensors
 Technology - TDLS Measurement Principle
Laser line

Laser Scan
λ

Laser diode scan across

λ
single gas absorption line.
Gas absorption lines

IR Source

Detector
Gas Laser
Gas
Volume Reference Volume

p. 6
Technology - TDLS Measurement Principle
High linearity
ƒ Laser signal information:
Laser intensity & wavelength
vary linearly with drive current
ƒ Gas absorption signal:
The detector sees less intensity
as the laser hits the gas line
A
Laser signal
information
Intrinsic reference channel
ƒ Optical system & reference information:
On modulation frequency f
ƒ Gas concentration signal:
On modulation frequency 2f
I No gas f
λK
λL

Gas t
absorption
information With gas
I

Laser Scan λ 2f t
Technology – 1st or 2nd Order

CO2 Fundamental
Absorption Band

Absorption
1st Envelope
Overtone

2nd
Overtone

1.57 2.04 4.26

Wavelength (µm)

„ Optical and optoelectronic components (laser & detector)

increase significantly in price with wavelength (if available)
„ => work at 1st or 2nd overtone
TDLS - Selectivity

„ TDLS is a high resolution

measurement CO
CO
„ Superposed bands can be 2

resolved for each gas:

Absorption (a.U.)
Results in high selectivity
„ Example CO2/CO:
Envelopes overlap, single
absorption lines do not

1,57 1,571 1,572 1,573 1,574 1,575

Wavelength
TDLS - Good for small molecules

„ TDLS can measure gases with resolved rotation & vibration bands, i.e.
gases with small molecules.
„ E.g. alkanes: Ok for CH4, C2H6, but not for longer chains
Technology - Laser Gas Monitor

„ Sharp laser line

high selectivity
„ Intrinsic reference channel
high, long term stability,
calibration-free
continuous status monitoring
„ Optical technology
contactless & hot gas measurement

Photo Diode Gas Volume

Electronics Mirror

Laser Diode
Business Focus

Laser gas detection

„ Present Focus on NH3, CH4, CO2, O2
„ Flow through and diffusive set-ups
„ Self-contained OEM modules, sub-mounts

Applications in
„ Process control & environmental monitoring
„ Industrial safety
„ Climate & air conditioning
„ Medical technology
TDLS Gas Monitor Set-up
Measurement
interface to customer:

IR Microsystems provides:
ƒ Self-contained measurement
system with integrated optics
(probe or flow-cell) Flow: LGD F200 (H) Ambient / heated
ƒ Digital or analog data output

Customer provides:
ƒ Input Power (10-30 V)
ƒ Conditioned/filtered gas
ƒ Purge gas (where necessary)

Diffusive: LGD P50 Single point

Technology (Flow) - LGD F 200 (H)

„ Flow-through cell
„ Optional heating up to 190°C
„ Modular design
LGD F 200 (H) - Specifications
System Specifications
LGD F200H layout flow-through
Meas. temp. flow-through ambient, optional up to 190°C
Measurement cell layout modular, different path lengths depending on gas & applic.
Measurement range ppm- or %-ranges depending on gas & applic.
Drift below detection limit

Precision Peak-to-peak noise

Main Target Gases
at T constant at T: -40°C to +65°C

NH3 Ammonia 0.3 ppm 2 ppm

CH4 Methane 0.5 ppm 3 ppm

CO2 Carbon Dioxide 5 ppm 30 ppm

O2 Oxygen 130 ppm 800 ppm

Gas Sensing Technologies
TDLS NDIR Paramag. E-Chem

Characteristics

High Selectivity 3 ~ ~ 2
High Stability 3 ~ ~ 2
Calibration-free 3 2 2 2
Cont. Sensor status monitoring 3 3 3 2
Non-contact measurement 3 3 2 2
Acquisition cost ~ ~ 3 3
Low cost-over-time 3 ~ ~ ~
Rugged 3 3 2 3
Overload damage or ageing 3 3 ~ 2
Compact multigas ~ 3 2 3
Fast Recovery time 3 3 3 2
Selected Applications
NH3
„ SCR / Emission Control
„ Safety / Refrigeration
„ Livestock Climate Control
CH4
„ Environmental Monitoring /
Landfill
Emission Control
Main application specific USP Selectivity
Non-contact
Precision at T = const.: 0.3 ppm
Peak-Peak Noise -40°C – 65°C: 2 ppm

SCR Process Monitoring

ƒ SCR system monitoring, combustion processes in
power plants, powerstations, diesel engine development

ƒ Need to measure NH3 hot (190°C) to 1ppm

(acid dew point, water)

ƒ LGD F200 H offers real time emission control

with non-contact measurement in heated sample cell
LGD F200 NH3 - measurements

12
11
Set 10 ppm
10
Set 9ppm
9
Set 8 ppm
8
Set 7 ppm
7
Set 6 ppm
6 Set 5 ppm
5
4
3
Set 2 ppm
2
1
Set 0 ppm
0
500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Time [s]

„ resolution
LGD F200 NH3 - measurements

„ linearity „ reproducibility
LGD F200 NH3 - measurements
Safety / Refrigeration
Main application specific USP Selectivity Reliability
Cost-over-time
Precision at T = const.: 0.3 ppm
Peak-to-Peak Noise -40°C – 65°C: 2 ppm

Plant & personnel safety monitoring

ƒ Workplace and site safety monitoring: 1-100 ppm
ƒ Current sensors:
ƒ Life time ~ 12 months, 6-months calibration cycle
ƒ High cost for end-user
ƒ No sensor status monitoring
ƒ Cross sensitivities / false alarms
ƒ microLGD offers better performance at lower
cost-over-time
Livestock Climate Control
Main application specific USP Life-time
Cost-over-time
Precision at T = const.: 0.3 ppm
Peak-to-Peak Noise -40°C – 65°C: 2 ppm

Ventilation Control & Ammonia Scrubbing

ƒ Monitor NH3 to improve health and growth of livestock
ƒ Scrubb NH3 out of exhaust air for environmental protection
ƒ Well-suited sensors are not available today
ƒ Current sensors:
ƒ Life time shortened to days by NH3 background
ƒ Cross sensitivities

ƒ microLGD enables livestock applications

Environmental Monitoring
Main application specific USP Selective
High dynam. range
Precision at T = const.: 0.3 ppm
Peak-to-Peak Noise -40°C – 65°C: 3 ppm

14

Landfill / waste water gas monitoring 12

10 ppm

ƒ Monitoring of waste water for CH4 10

7.9 ppm
emission; landfill de-gasing (safety)

CH [ppm]
6.9 ppm
8
6 ppm
ƒ LGD F200 offers real time,

4
5 ppm
6
monitoring with high dynamic range
3.9 ppm
4
ƒ Selective measurement of methane
2 2 ppm

0 ppm
0
0 500 1000 1500
Time [s]
Summary

„ The optical, non-contact measurement principle and the

intrinsic reference channel and the high selectivity offer
significant benefit in a wide range of applications.
„ TDLS moves from high end to upper medium end
applications, component cost hinder further penetration into
mainstream applications.
„ Leister offers self-contained laser gas monitoring systems
to OEMs to use the benefits of this technology in their field
of activity.

Thank you for your attention!