Monitoring Low Levels of Hydrogen Fluoride in Ambient Air

GASERA ONE HF hydrogen fluoride gas monitor is based on combining ultra-sensitive cantilever enhanced photoacoustic detection technology with a tunable diode laser (TDLAS) source operating at a fundamental spectral absorption line of hydrogen fluoride (HF). This combination provides enough sensitivity (below 0.5 parts per billion) to reliably measure ambient background levels of hydrogen fluoride.

Hydrogen fluoride is a colorless, highly irritating, toxic, and corrosive gas and can exist as a fuming liquid. HF is a severe irritant to the eyes, skin, and nasal passages already at 2 ppm levels. It may penetrate easily and quickly through the skin or lungs and into the tissues in the body causing serious damage to cells and organs. HF is a common industrial compound used in manufacturing of fluorine, superacids, refrigerants, pharmaceuticals, polymers, among others. The continuous monitoring of low ppb levels of HF is needed to ensure product quality, reduce waste and for occupational and environmental safety.

GASERA ONE HF is well-suited for monitoring applications where highest performance is required. This includes for example fence-line monitoring at aluminum smelters, phosphate fertilizer plants or petroleum refineries or at ambient monitoring stations near these sites. The monitor must be sensitive, robust, and drift-free as the monitored HF concentrations are typically below 10 ppb and the monitoring takes place 24/7.

Other important group of HF measurement applications is related to occupational safety to make sure there are no leaks during high temperature processes in aluminum refining or no high concentrations emitted during welding which could raise the HF concentrations above allowed ceiling values and risk the workers’ health and safety.

GASERA ONE HF is a standalone unit which provides the user with a simple and intuitive interface with high resolution display and a single rotating dial. The unique photoacoustic technology provides an exceptionally high level of stability with a recommended recalibration period of 12 months, thus offering a low total cost of ownership. Other benefits include: no consumables or wet chemistry, drift-free operation, high selectivity, and a wide linear dynamic range.

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