Teledyne API Model 200AH NOX Analyzer Instruction Manual, 06492, Rev. G2
9-29
A. A leak that admits gas containing NO.
B. Contaminated reaction cell. Remove and clean cell.
C. Wet (i.e. undried ambient air) air into the ozone generator. Check the PermaPure drier and
associated plumbing for leaks and correct operation.
D. Zero gas that isn't really zero. Make sure you're not trying to zero the machine with
sample air or span gas.
E. AutoZero filter is corrupted with high readings. Fix the cause of the high readings, then
input zero gas and wait for 15 minutes for the filter to clear.
9.2.10. Non-Linear Response
Common causes are:
1. Leak in pneumatic system.
2. Calibration gas tanks concentration in error.
A. Tanks certification test in error.
B. Even if the NO concentration is correct, different tanks may have variable concentrations
of interfering gasses. CO2 is often blended in the NO tanks, and is a known interferent
with chemiluminescent NOX analyzers. If the CO2 concentration is markedly different
between tanks, the CO2 quenching effect on NO will produce non-linearities. This effect
may also be present with gas standards that blend SO2/N2/NO. The problem arises
because the gas manufacturer uses FT-IR to do the analysis. FT-IR does not have the same
interaction between components as do chemiluminescent analyzers.
3. Variation in sample inlet pressure due to sample manifold inlet flow changes.
4. High zero background - The PMT TEST function should be near 0 mV with zero gas.
Readings above 25 mV indicate a light leak, contaminated reaction cell, bad zero gas, or wet
air coming into the ozone generator. If the reading is not less than 20 mV the instrument will
not zero or span properly. Check Section 9.2.9.
5. Calibration device in error, re-check flowrates and concentrations. This is especially true at
low concentrations. Mass Flow calibrators often become non-linear if the flow is < 1% of the
full scale flow.
6. Contamination in sample delivery system:
A. Dirt in sample lines or reaction cell.
B. Contaminated cal gas source (NO2 in NO cal gas is common).
C. Dilution air contains sample or span gas.