Application of SMART series analyzer in Hydrogen-cooled generators
Because hydrogen has low density, high specific heat and highest thermal conductivity, it can be used as a coolant in large generators because of its efficient cooling properties. Helium is also a coolant and is non-flammable, but its high cost hinders its application. Monitoring cooling efficiency for maximum productivity and reducing friction losses as well as a safety factor to avoid explosive gas mixtures requires monitoring the coolant in hydrogen-cooled generators.
In the start-up phase, hydrogen-cooled generators replace the air with a purge of an inert gas such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or argon (Ar), followed by the replacement of the inert gas with hydrogen (H2). In the shutdown phase, these two steps are performed in reverse to the generation of explosive gas mixtures. SMART-TCD (thermally conductive) measurement can be used to measure 0 to 100% carbon dioxide (CO2) or argon (Ar) in air and 0 to 50/80/100% hydrogen (H2) concentration in inert gas, when multiple gas measurement modes can be used to measure different working conditions using the same analyzer.