A laser absorption spectroscopy exhaust gas sensor includes an optical cell with porous walls having pores with a mean diameter in the range of 0.1 nm to 1 mm; gold mirrors within the optical cell positioned to support a multi-pass optical path within the optical cell; an active heating element adapted to heat the optical cell to prevent condensation; a laser adapted to generate a laser beam; an optical detector adapted to detect a returning laser beam; and a processor for controlling the laser and the active heating element and for analyzing signals from the optical detector to identify a gas in the optical cell.

A sampling device for a gas comprises a block member that includes a gas passageway that defines a flow path for the gas through the block member that has a length less than 36 inches. A liquid collection chamber within the block member along the flow path has therein a deflection plate that directs any liquid in the gas onto a surface of the plate downward into a lower sink zone of the chamber. The chamber includes a porous membrane along the flow path that acts as a barrier to liquid, allowing gas to flow through the membrane and into a passageway segment downstream of the membrane. A pair of mirrors at opposed ends of a light collection block are shaped to reflect multiple passes of light between the mirrors. At one end of the light collection block is a lens that focuses light on the mirror at the other end of the light collection block. A light detector near one end of the light collection block collects light after multiple reflections of the light off the mirrors.

A gas sampling device is disclosed. The gas sampling device includes a first block having at least a first opening. The first block includes at least a first passageway terminating at the first opening. The first opening may be in an exterior face of the first block. The gas sampling device includes a second block having at least a second opening. The second block includes at least a second passageway terminating at the first opening. The second opening may be in the exterior face of the second block. The first block and the second block may be adjacent and in contact with each other. The first passageway and the second passageway form a flow path, wherein the first block and the second block abut and contact each other, and the first opening and the second opening are aligned.

Systems and methods for monitoring air particulate matter are provided herein that capture particles from the air for analysis. Particles are captured using electrostatic and/or mechanical means to deflect particles toward a substrate. Electrostatic precipitation causes charged carriers to deflect towards a charged substrate. Filtration-based means employ filters and/or fibers to capture particles from air flowing therethrough. A sensor such as a camera is used to read the captured particles. An illumination source directs light towards the substrate, causing the particles to scatter light, which the sensor can detect and derive information or imaging therefrom, which can also be used for further particle or pollution analyses. The substrate can be replenished using electrostatic techniques such as reverse electrostatic force, or mechanical means such as cleaning using a brush or replacing a tape substrate. Dynamic PM monitoring detects and makes adjustments such as those related to air volume, imaging characteristics and substrate replenishment.

Methods and devices for directly measuring the degree of saturation or degree of deactivation of an adsorbent and/or catalytic bed are described herein. The devices contain an inlet, an outlet, a catalytic and/or adsorbent bed, and optionally a support bed for supporting the catalytic and/or adsorbent bed. The devices further contain one or more structures attached to the reactor that allow for insertion of one or more sensors into the reactor. The sensor is used to spectroscopically interrogate the adsorbent and/or catalyst in situ, providing real-time information regarding adsorbant saturation and/or catalyst deactivation. The devices and methods described herein can be used to determine the saturation degree of adsorbent materials or catalyst beds that are involved in gas-liquid and liquid-liquid heterogeneous systems, such as those used in scrubbing and extraction.

An apparatus for an optical in-situ gas analysis includes a housing; a measuring lance whose one first end is connected to the housing and whose other second end projects into the gas to be measured; a light transmitter that is arranged in the housing and whose light is conducted into the measuring lance and is reflected by a reflector arranged at the second end onto a light receiver, and the optical path defines an optical measurement path within the measuring lance; a gas-permeable filter that is held in the measuring lance and in whose interior the measurement path is located: and an evaluation device for evaluating received light signals of the light receiver. It is proposed to be able to reduce the consumption of test gas that the measuring lance has coaxially arranged inner and outer pipes and the outer pipe has openings for the gas to be measured.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the optical in-situ gas analysis that comprises a housing; a measuring lance whose one, first end is connected to the housing and whose other, second end projects into the gas to be measured; a light transmitter arranged in the housing whose light is conducted into the measuring lance and is reflected onto a light receiver by a reflector arranged at the second end, wherein the optical path defines an optical measurement path within the measuring lance; a gas-permeable filter through which the gas to be measured moves into the measurement path; and an evaluation device for evaluating received light signals of the light receiver. To provide an improved apparatus with which the problem of the condensate formation can be counteracted better, provision is made that the measuring lance has an agitation apparatus for agitating the gas in the measuring lance.

Various implementations, systems and methods are disclosed for continuous, near real-time, hands-off sampling of airborne particulate matter, and qualification and/or quantification of biomolecules in the sample representative for biologic or microbial contamination. The systems and methods may utilize an electrostatic precipitator for sampling the matter; and a measurement assembly configured to illuminate, excite, or breakdown the sampled matter by electromagnetic radiation, and to detect a spectrum, or one or more wavelength bands of the scatter emitted by the sample. In an exemplary implementation, a sputter deposition process is employed to configure the sample for an enhanced plasmon resonance. The measurement data may be transferred via wireless communication means for cloud storage and signal processing.