Characteristics of various continuous analyzers for nitrogen oxides in flue gas (NO
x analyzers) were investigated in municipal incinerators. The investigated NO
x analyzers were non-dispersive infrared absorption (NDIR), chemiluminescence and ultraviolet absorption (UV), respectively.
There were slight differences among the observed values of the NO
x analyzers by NDIR, chemiluminescence and UV.
CO
2 and H
2O were expected to influence the observed values of the NO
x analyzers by NDIR and chemiluminescence. HCl and NH
3 were expected to influence the observed values of the NO
x analyzer by UV. However, HC1 and NH
3 were easily dissolved and removed in condensed water in the dryer in the sampling system, therefore those gases did not interfere with actual measurement.
It was estimated that the differences between the observed values of the NO
x analyzers were dependent on the imperfect correction of the influence of CO
2 or H
2O. It is required to minimize the influence of CO
2 as follows: NO and CO
2 concentrations in the span caliblation gas should be controlled at the average concentration in flue gas, or electrical correction should be added for the average CO
2 concentration at the average NO
x concentration, or the NOx analyzer with CO
2 compensating detecter should be used. It is strongly recommended to maintain the dryer condition perfectly to minimize the influence of H
2O in the sample gas.
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