Gas analyzer

Abstract

A gas analyzer for determining the BTU or caloric content of a combustible gas uses a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of a metal cup which is heated by a flame produced by the combustion of the gas in an excess air environment. The supply of combustible gas is periodically turned off while the air supply flow is maintained to produce a periodic heating and cooling sequence of the metal cup during fixed respective time periods. A differential temperature monitor is arranged to monitor the temperature of the metal cup and the incoming fuel and air to produce a differential temperature signal during the heating and cooling sequence. In a second embodiment, the gas flame is continuously ignited and is supplied from a rotating gas jet in the excess air environment. The flame is sequentially applied to a series of metal cups to produce a heating and cooling sequence of each cup. The temperature of each cup and the incoming gas and air is monitored by a differential temperature monitor to produce a differential temperature output for the heating and cooling sequence for each cup. A representation of the caloric content of the gas can be obtained either by a solution of a caloric content equation based on the differential temperature obtained by the heating or by an analysis of the temperature waveshape of the heating and cooling sequence for either the individual cup or the plurality of cups.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.