Process Gas Analysis in the Iron and Steel Industry by Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Advantages of applying mass spectrometry to the analysis of process gases in the iron and steel industry are:

Only one instrument is required for the analysis of all process gas components of interest;

These components are simultaneously and quantitatively analysed;

The analysis speed is the same for all components, and is extremely high;

The signal produced by any one gas component is linearly proportional to the concentration of that component;

For complete analyses, the analyser requires very small amounts of sample and calibration gas;

The gas analyser can also be used to check the calibration gases for impurities and to control their concentration ratios.

After a brief discussion of mass spectrometer principles and instrumentation, some typical applications of mass spectrometer-based gas analysis systems as applied to the iron and steel industry are elucidated. The incorporation of a digital mini-computer results in an integrated, autonomous process gas analysis system, containing sampling and handling facilities, gas analyser, calibration setup and TTY data printout.