What Is a Nitrogen Dioxide Gas Detector?
Nitrogen dioxide gas detector is mainly used to detect the concentration of nitrogen dioxide gas in the air. These devices have long life, powerful batteries, large screens that show nitrogen dioxide concentrations, and belt clips that connect clothes. To protect the user, the NO2 gas detector also features LED, vibration and buzzer alarms.
Nitrogen dioxide gas detectors are also known as NO2 monitors, nitrogen dioxide sniffers, nitrogen dioxide analyzers, or NO2 gas testers. These names all refer to the same device, a nitrogen dioxide gas detector.
What Does a Nitrogen Dioxide gas Detector?
A nitrogen dioxide gas detector senses nitrogen dioxide gas and displays the levels in parts per million (ppm).
What Is Nitrogen Dioxide Gas?
Nitrogen dioxide has the chemical symbol NO2. It is known as a dirty gas with a brownish color. It is an unpleasant gas with an irritating taste and smell. Although NO2 is a pollutant found in emissions, it is also used in industry to make nitric oxide. NO2 gas is very dangerous to human health, hence the need to monitor and check air concentrations.
Is Nitrogen Dioxide Gas Toxic?
Yes it is.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an air pollutant that is commonly associated with respiratory diseases. According to the American Lung Association, NO2 gas lung effects include:
Inflammation of the airways
Cough and wheezing
Poor lung function
Asthma attacks
What Are the Different Types of Nitrogen Dioxide Gas Detectors?
Nitrogen Dioxide Detector for Personal Protection
The majority of nitrogen dioxide gas detectors are portable units. These are small, battery-powered detectors with a nitrogen dioxide sensor that can be clipped onto your clothes for personal protection.
Nitrogen Dioxide Gas Monitor for Stationary Fixed Wall
Wall-mounted units provide continuous protection and warning of nitrogen dioxide gas leaks. These devices are perfect for indoor uses such as power stations, industries, or factories. If the levels of NO2 exceed the preset threshold (i.e., 5ppm OSHA PEL), the unit will provide an LED and buzzer warning.
How Does a NO2 Gas Sensor Work?
A nitrogen dioxide gas detector is composed of electronics and an NO2 sensor. The gas sensor converts the detected nitrogen dioxide level to an electronic signal for microprocessor analysis. After receiving the sensor signal, the unit displays the NO2 concentration. If the measurement exceeds the pre-set NO2 alarm value, the alarms are triggered.
NO2 Electrochemical Gas Sensors
The gas reacts with a working electrode, triggering an electrochemical redox reaction. The generated current is proportional to the detected gas level.
NO2 Semiconducting Metal Oxide Gas Sensors
Ozone molecules interact with a film of metal oxide material, where surface redox reactions take place. A power-law relationship transpires between the ozone concentration and conductivity of the sensor.
What Is a Nitrogen Dioxide Gas Detector Used For?
Nitrogen dioxide gas is used in a variety of manufacturing and industrial processes, hence the requirement for accurate detection and human exposure limits. NO2 gas applications include:
NO2 gas to make nitric acid: NO2 is used to make HNO3, often called nitric acid. This chemical is used to produce various nitrogen compounds to create chemical fertilizers, explosives, and other useful substances.
NO2 gas as a sterilization agent: NO2 is a sterilization gas used for medical and dental instruments. Used in a chamber-based system, advantages includes room temperature operation, low concentration, fast microbicidal activity, and low residue.
NO2 gas as a bleaching agent: NO2 is used as a bleaching agent, similar to chlorine and bromates. These chemicals are strong oxidizers.