Product news

The fundamental principle underlying paramagnetic oxygen gas sensor measurement revolves around the inherent paramagnetic properties of oxygen atoms, owing to their possession of two unpaired electrons. Various measurement methods exploit temperature differentials between thermistor pairs induced by a magnetic field to gauge oxygen concentrations. However, Angst+Pfister Sensors and Power's PAROX1200 paramagnetic oxygen sensor series adopts a unique approach. It gauges oxygen concentration by quantifying the force necessary to maintain a nitrogen-filled glass dumbbell in its original position under a magnetic field. This electrostatic force, crucial for stabilizing the dumbbell, correlates directly with the measured oxygen concentration.

Excellent performance and reliability
The PAROX1200 paramagnetic oxygen sensor provides an output signal virtually immune to interference from other gases. Its remarkable stability over time stands out as a key feature. This stability is achieved through a combination of heated measurement cell (55°C), carefully selected materials, and a predefined burn-in phase during application, resulting in a minimal drift. Signal repeatability surpasses ±0.03 %V O2, while zero-point drift remains below ±0.1 %V O2/week. Each module undergoes stringent quality inspections to ensure superior performance in specific applications. With negligible total errors, encompassing tilt, temperature, pressure, and flow, many users favor PAROX1200 for a plug-and-play simplicity and low-maintenance requirements during installation and operation. With its prolonged lifespan, rapid response and recovery times, and minimal maintenance needs, the PAROX1200 emerges as the preferred solution for analyzing gas mixtures, especially in situations where conventional oxygen sensors face challenges.

Usability
The PAROX1200 series paramagnetic oxygen sensor is very compact.
The sensor is designed for seamless integration into gas analyzers or gas measurement systems equipped with process control modules and operates as a forced flow sensor with in and out let gas connection ports available in either 3 mm or 1/8” sizes. The sensor has a design of almost perfect cubic with dimensions 80x78x93 mm and a weight of just over 1 kg. The PAROX1200 paramagnetic oxygen sensor module has configurable measurement ranges, with a standard of 0-25%V O2. The broad configurable measurement range of Parox makes it very useful for oxygen generator applications, where stringent tolerance requirements are needed. Alternatively, the PAROX series has a standard output signal of 4-20 mA linear with an option of having voltage based linear signal (0-1V, 0-4V and 0-10V).

Effective emission control
The most popular application, among many, for the PAROX1200 series paramagnetic oxygen sensor module is in excess oxygen analysis and exhaust monitoring in virtually all types of combustion systems, known as “Continuous Emission Measurement System” (CEMS). In the combustion process within power plants, combined heating plants or steel production, the atmospheric oxygen O2 reacts with fuel. During combustion, undesirable pollutants such as CO and NOX are generated. By measuring the O2 content, combustion can be fine-tuned, leading to reduced pollutant formation and fuel consumption, thereby minimizing operational expenses and safeguarding the environment. The PAROX1200 sensor accurately measures oxygen concentration regardless of the concentration levels of all other gases present in a combustion process application.

Precise in demanding environments
Monitoring the oxygen content in fermentation vessels, biochemical fermenters, and sewer gas, especially in environments with high concentrations of sulfur-containing gases, represents another common application for the PAROX1200 series paramagnetic oxygen sensor module. Engineered to withstand such harsh conditions, the PAROX1200 offers reliable measurement through the utilization of materials like PVDF, Glass, Steel 1.4571, Gold, and Viton, all of which are resistant to corrosive gases.

Figure 1. Front and backside pictures of the PAROX1200 OEM paramagnetic oxygen sensor module; the backside (left) shows the electrical terminal block connection, the frontside (right) shows the in- and out-let gas connection ports. The signal adjustment ports (zero and full-scale) are also shown in the picture (to the right).