As the name implies, carbon dioxide detectors sense the presence of CO2. Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound that is a critical part of the life cycle of
plants and animals as well as a critical component of certain industrial processes.
Though an important component of life itself, carbon dioxide can also be dangerous. In concentrations above 7%, carbon dioxide can cause suffocation in humans. Carbon dioxide is also
a major greenhouse gas with severe environmental implications.
Carbon dioxide is so basic to our everyday lives that measuring and managing it is crucial in many ways:
- Plants require carbon dioxide to conduct photosynthesis. Greenhouses often enrich their atmospheres with additional CO2 to sustain and increase plant growth.
- Carbon dioxide is a food additive used as a propellant and acidity regulator in the food industry.
- Carbon dioxide is used to produce carbonated soft drinks and soda water.
- Carbon dioxide extinguishes flames, and some fire extinguishers, especially those designed for electrical fires, contain liquid carbon dioxide under pressure.
- Liquid and solid carbon dioxide are important refrigerants, especially in the food industry.
- Liquid carbon dioxide is a good solvent for certain compounds and is used in food and pharmaceutical processing.
- Carbon dioxide is one of the most commonly used compressed gases for portable pressurized gas systems.
- Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) systems use CO2 levels as an indicator of occupancy allowing ventilation based upon actual occupancy while still maintaining ASHRAE
recommended per-person ventilation rates.
Most commonly, carbon dioxide is measured using NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensors. NDIR sensors are spectroscopic sensors to detect CO2 in a gaseous environment by its characteristic
absorption. Gas is pumped or diffuses into a light tube where the electronics measure the absorption of the characteristic wavelength of light. Results are displayed as a parts per million
measurement.
Carbon dioxide meters are available as handheld units for spot checking or as fixed mount transmitters for continuous monitoring and with outputs for process control.
If you have any questions regarding carbon dioxide detectors please don't hesitate to speak with one of our engineers by e-mailing us at sales@instrumart.com or calling 1-800-884-4967.
