Olythe SAS
240 rue Louis de Broglie,
13100 Aix-en-Provence, FRANCE
+33 (0)4 42 52 62 39
contact@olythe.com
240 rue Louis de Broglie,
13100 Aix-en-Provence, FRANCE
+33 (0)4 42 52 62 39
contact@olythe.com
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©2013-2023 Olythe SAS
OCIEngine PRO methane CH4 is an infrared spectrometer that measures methane in air.
Methane detection by NDIR involves measuring the absorption of infrared light by the gas. A gas detector exposes the sample to infrared light, filters the wavelength corresponding to methane and then measures the intensity of the light that has passed through the sample. The decrease in intensity is proportional to the concentration of methane, according to the Beer-Lambert law.
Technical specifications
Methane detection
| Units of measurement | ppm |
| Measurement range | From 0 to 5000 ppm |
| Measurement accuracy (max error with 60sec integration time) Conditions: 50% RH, 23°C |
20 ppm + 5% of reading |
| Sampling period | 125 ms |
| Response time | 38s (τ=63%) |
Sampling characteristics
| Air inlet | Minimal relative pressure at measuring cell inlet port: 0.3 millibars Maximal relative pressure at measuring cell inlet port: 10 millibars |
| Flow rate range | From 0,1 to 1,5 L/min (supply by flow) |
| Humidity | < 100% relative humidity (RH), not condensing |
Environnemental conditions
| Operating conditions | From 0°C to 50°C (temperature compensated) |
| Storage | From -10°C to 70°C |
| Typical starting time at 23°C |
5 minutes (30 minutes at full spec) |
| Pressure | 800 – 1150 mbar |
Electrical characteristics
| Supply voltage | 3,7 VDC min – 5,5 VDC max (others on demand) |
| Input current | 1,5 A max |
| Communication interface | RS232 protocol (others on demande) x3 Pico-SPOX MOLEX connector (2, 3 and 5 contacts) |
Package information
| Dimensions | 125 x 30 x 22 mm |
| Weight | 20g |
| Fixing parts2 | 2 tapped holes for M3 fixing |
Sensor architecture
Mechanical drawings
Applications
Methane monitoring
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its ability to trap heat, although it does not remain in the atmosphere as long. Methane emissions can come from natural sources such as wetlands, forest fires and termites, as well as from human activities such as agriculture, energy production and waste management.
Monitoring methane in the air can help identify emission sources and track changes over time. These data can inform efforts to reduce methane emissions, such as improving agricultural practices, reducing leakage in natural gas production and distribution systems, and capturing methane from landfills and wastewater treatment plants.
In addition to its contribution to climate change, methane can also pose a safety risk at certain concentrations because it is flammable and explosive. Methane monitoring is therefore important to identify and address potential safety hazards, particularly in confined or enclosed spaces such as mines, oil and gas wells, and industrial plants.