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CₙHₘ – General Information, CₙHₘ Gas Sensors & Relevant Applications

CnHm – this term covers all compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. Discover all the info about this gas and about the CnHm sensors from Wi.Tec-Sensorik ...

Table of Contents

General information on CₙHₘ / Hydrocarbons

CₙHₘ – this term covers all compounds in which carbon and hydrogen are present.. The alkanes form a defined subgroup. Since the known measurement methods (NDIR, FID, PID,…) do not allow selective analysis of individual hydrocarbon compounds, a summary is always given. The weighting of the individual hydrocarbons is known for the respective measurement method.

Calibration with propane allows the meter to be adjusted to the specific properties of hydrocarbons and ensure that it provides accurate measurements for these types of compounds.

Properties for CₙHₘ

  • Physical state: Propane is gaseous at room temperature and normal pressure. However, it can be liquefied under pressure and is then used as a liquefied gas.
  • Odor: Propane is odorless in itself. For safety reasons, however, the odorant ethyl mercaptan is added to it to produce an easily recognizable, unmistakable odor signal in the event of a gas leak.
  • Flammability: Propane is highly flammable and forms explosive mixtures between 1.7 % and 10.8 % by volume in air. Its ignition temperature is 470 °C (according to DIN 51794). The calorific value is 12.874kWh/k
  • Boiling point: The boiling point of propane is -42 °C. This means that it vaporizes easily at normal temperatures and pressures and changes to the gaseous state.
  • Density: The density of propane in the gaseous state is about 1.88 kg/m³ and in the liquid state about 493 kg/m³. It is therefore heavier than air and can collect at the bottom when it escapes.

Application examples for CₙHₘ

  • Industrial process monitoring: In industrial plants where CₙHₘ gases are used or generated, it is important to monitor the concentration of these gases in the air. This can help identify potential hazards and take timely action to prevent accidents or fires.
  • Environmental monitoring: Monitoring CₙHₘ gases in the environment is important to assess air quality and identify possible sources of pollution. This can be done in urban areas, near industrial facilities, or near transportation hubs.
  • Safety in residential and commercial buildings: In residential and commercial buildings where CnHm gases such as natural gas or propane are used, gas detection can help identify leaks or leakage to minimize potential hazards. This is especially important in enclosed spaces where high concentrations of CₙHₘ gases can lead to explosion hazards.
  • Vehicle Emissions: Monitoring CₙHₘ gases in vehicle exhaust is important to ensure compliance with emission standards and to assess the environmental impact of transportation. This can help develop cleaner vehicles and improve air quality in urban areas.
  • Gas leak detection in the petrochemical industry: In the petrochemical industry, where large quantities of CₙHₘ gases are used, gas leak detection is crucial to prevent accidents or fires. Continuous monitoring of gas leaks can help to detect potential hazards at an early stage and take appropriate measures.

In summary, the detection of CₙHₘ is of paramount importance in a wide variety of applications to minimize potential hazards.

Gas sensors from Wi.Tec-Sensorik for the precise measurement of CₙHₘ

Overview Products and Measurement Ranges

  Measuring range (*)
  100
Vol.%
50
Vol.%
30
Vol.%
20
Vol.%
10
Vol.%
5
Vol.%
1
Vol.%
5,000
 ppm
2,000
 ppm
1,000
 ppm
500
 ppm
300
 ppm
100
 ppm
50
 ppm
10
 ppm
1
 ppm
Kombi.sens
INFRA.sens AK5
INFRA.sens AK20
INFRA.sens AK100
INFRA.sens AK250
(*) Full scale value (F.S.)
For other measuring ranges please refer to our further datasheets

Product Previews

Some relevant Applications to CₙHₘ

Customer Specific Projects
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  • The employees of Wi.Tec-Sensorik GmbH have extensive expertise in the field of industrial gas measurement technology and sensor signal processing.
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