Inert Gas Fusion Oxygen-Nitrogen-Hydrogen Analyzer

What is the Inert Gas Fusion Oxygen-Nitrogen-Hydrogen Analyzer?

An inert gas fusion analyzer melts a metal sample in a graphite crucible under helium or argon and measures released oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen by infrared and thermal conductivity. It is used to verify gas content in steel, titanium, zirconium, copper and refractory alloys where these elements affect properties.

Overview

An impulse electrode furnace passes up to 8 kW through a graphite crucible to reach 2000–3000 °C, melting the sample and releasing its gases. Oxygen forms CO with the carbon of the crucible and is measured with infrared cells, optionally converted to CO2 with a heated rare-earth copper oxide catalyst. Hydrogen is detected in a thermal conductivity cell after CO and CO2 removal, and nitrogen follows in a second thermal conductivity channel. Separate infrared and thermal-conductivity cells give ranges from 0.1 ppm to a few percent for oxygen and nitrogen. Sample sizes of 0.1–1 g are typical, and cycle time is 60–150 seconds. Clean, dry samples of controlled geometry and a low blank are essential for reproducible ppm-level results.

How does it work?

Elemental analyzers convert the element of interest into a simple gas at high temperature and then measure that gas. In combustion analysis, a sample burns in oxygen at 900–1350 °C, converting carbon to CO2, hydrogen to H2O, sulfur to SO2 and nitrogen to N2 or NOx. Gases are separated by chromatographic column or selective traps and detected by non-dispersive infrared cells, thermal conductivity detectors or chemiluminescence. Inert gas fusion heats a sample in a graphite crucible under helium to release oxygen as CO, nitrogen as N2 and hydrogen as H2, again measured by infrared and thermal conductivity. Induction furnaces heat metals and ores with accelerators such as tungsten and tin. Calibration uses certified standards of known composition.

What are the key features?

• Impulse electrode furnace with graphite crucible reaching 2500 °C or higher
• Independent infrared cells for oxygen and thermal conductivity cells for nitrogen and hydrogen
• Helium or argon carrier options with flow controlled by mass flow controllers
• Automatic furnace cleaning and crucible handling with optional loader
• Low-blank design with heated catalysts and chemical scrubbers
• Calibration with gas dosing or certified metal standards

What are the technical specifications?

A typical inert gas fusion oxygen-nitrogen-hydrogen analyzer configuration offers oxygen range of 0.1 ppm–5% (m/m), nitrogen range of 0.1 ppm–3% (m/m), hydrogen range of 0.05 ppm–0.05% (m/m), furnace power of Up to 8 kW, furnace temperature of ≈ 2000–3000 °C and sample mass of 0.1–1.0 g. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Inert Gas Fusion Oxygen-Nitrogen-Hydrogen Analyzer is used in oxygen and nitrogen in steel and stainless steel, hydrogen embrittlement control in titanium and zirconium alloys, oxygen in copper and high-purity metals, nitrogen in ceramics and refractories and gas content of powders and welding consumables. Across the wider Elemental Analyzers class, laboratories also deploy it for carbon and sulfur in steel and ores, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen in metals and alloys and ultimate analysis of coal and coke.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ASTM E1019, ASTM E1409, ASTM D5373, ASTM D5453, ASTM D4239, ISO 15350, ISO 10694 and IEC 61010-1. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 9001 manufacturing and RoHS; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Elemental analyzers need clean, dry, high-purity gases, typically oxygen and helium or argon at 99.995% or better, with regulators and moisture traps. Condition new combustion tubes, catalysts and reagents according to the manual, and replace them on a usage schedule. Run blanks and conditioning samples at start-up, then calibrate with certified standards that match the expected concentration range, such as acetanilide for CHN or steel standards for C and S. Control dust by cleaning the furnace and filters frequently, especially for ore and coke samples. Check for gas leaks regularly, weigh samples on a balance with suitable readability, and keep crucibles pre-ignited and free of contamination.

How do I select the right Inert Gas Fusion Oxygen-Nitrogen-Hydrogen Analyzer?

Select this variant when gas content in metals is a specification item, for example oxygen in clean steel or hydrogen in titanium. Carbon and sulfur alone do not require fusion analysis. In an RFQ, state which of O, N and H are required, their ranges, sample forms, helium or argon supply, chiller provision and methods such as ASTM E1019 or ISO 15351.

How does it compare with other Elemental Analyzers variants?

Select by element set and sample form. Carbon and sulfur in steel, ores, cement and ceramics point to a high-frequency induction furnace with infrared detection. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen in metals call for an inert gas fusion analyzer. Organic samples requiring C, H, N, S and possibly O suit a CHNS/O dynamic-flash combustion analyzer. Sulfur or nitrogen at mg/kg levels in liquid fuels suit UV-fluorescence or chemiluminescence analyzers. Check measuring range, since percent-level and ppm-level analyses need different detector ranges. Consider sample throughput, autosampler capacity, consumables such as crucibles, anhydrone and catalysts, and the standard methods to be met, such as ASTM E1019 or ASTM D5453.