DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : J Srinivasa Rao
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : D.A.E.I.E
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic, Kothagudem
Year/Semester : VI Sem
Subject : Analytical Instrumentation
Subject Code : AEI-603
Topic : Analysers
Duration : 50 Min
Sub Topic : Paramagnetic gas analyser
Teaching Aids : PPT, Pictures

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 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period you will be able to

know about
• Principle

• Construction and Working

• Applications of paramagnetic gas analyser

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 Recap

In the previous topic we have studied about

• Principle of Polarisation

• Polarimeter

Now we are going to learn about Paramagnetic gas

analyser

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 Introduction

• Oxygen, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide are

unique among the ordinary gases.
• In that they are paramagnetic i.e. they are
attracted into a magnetic field. Most gases are
slightly diamagnetic and are repelled out of a
magnetic field.

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 PRINCIPLE:

• Oxygen is slightly paramagnetic in property. This

property of oxygen is taken for analyzing oxygen.

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Paramagnetic gas analyser

Fig 1 AEI-603.21 6
PARAMAGNETIC GAS ANALYSER

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 CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING:

Gaseous oxygen is measured on the basis of change in

magnetic force acting on a test body suspended in a non
uniform magnetic field when the test body is surrounded

by the gas sample.

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• The paramagnetic oxygen analyzer incorporates a small
glass dumbbell suspended on a taut quartz fiber in a non
uniform magnetic field.

• When no oxygen is present, the magnetic forces exactly

balance the torque by the fiber.

• However, when a sample containing oxygen is drawn

into the chamber surrounding the dumbbell, the
magnetic force is altered, causing the dumbbell spheres
to rotate away from the region of maximum magnetic flux
density.

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• The degree of rotation is proportional to the partial
pressure of oxygen in the sample.

• A small mirror attached to, and rotating with the

dumbbell throws a beam of light on a translucent scale of
the instrument.

• The scale is calibrated in concentration of oxygen.

• The accuracy of 0.05% oxygen can be achieved. The

response time is about 10sec.

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 APPLICATIONS

• To analyze blood gases

• To analyze flue gases (combustion).

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 Summary

• Oxygen, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide are unique

among the ordinary gases. In that they are paramagnetic
i.e. they are attracted into a magnetic field. Most gases
are slightly diamagnetic and are repelled out of a
magnetic field.
• Oxygen is slightly paramagnetic in property. This
property of oxygen is taken for analyzing oxygen.
• Gaseous oxygen is measured on the basis of change in
magnetic force acting on a test body suspended in a non
uniform magnetic field when the test body is surrounded
by the gas sample.
• The accuracy of 0.05% oxygen can be achieved. The
response time is about 10sec.
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 Quiz

1) Oxygen exhibits the following property

• Diamagnetic
• Ferromagnetic
• Paramagnetic
• All of the above

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2) Which of the following exhibit highest
paramagnetic property
• Nitric oxide
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Oxygen

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 Frequently Asked Questions

• Explain the principle construction and working of

paramagnetic gas analyser.

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