Case Study Information

High-sensitivity Raman gas analysis for industrial process monitoring.

IS-Instruments developed a portable photon-counting Raman analyser designed for real-time gas-phase analysis in demanding industrial environments. Developed with flexibility, sensitivity, and operational practicality in mind, the system combined advanced Raman spectroscopy with proprietary photon-counting technology and modular instrument architecture.

Designed for trace gas detection and process monitoring applications, the analyser demonstrated the ability to detect chemical species at parts-per-million (PPM) concentrations in flowing gas systems.

The Challenge

Industrial gas-processing applications often require the rapid detection and quantification of trace chemical species in complex gas streams. Traditional analytical approaches can involve lengthy processing times, complex sample handling, or high operational costs, limiting their suitability for real-time monitoring applications.

Detecting low-concentration contaminants or process species in high-volume gas flows poses additional sensitivity challenges, particularly when rapid operational decision-making is required.

Photon Counting Real Time Gas Phase Raman Analyser

The Solution

To address these challenges, IS-Instruments developed a photon-counting Raman spectroscopy system optimised for high-sensitivity gas analysis.

The modular platform combined:

* Photon-counting Raman detection
* Advanced laser technology
* Proprietary signal processing hardware
* Flexible system configuration
* Portable industrial instrument design

The system architecture enabled the analyser to be configured for multiple gas species and adapted to a range of industrial monitoring applications.

Demonstration Application: Dimethyl Sulphide Detection

The first implementation of the system focused on detecting Dimethyl Sulphide (DMS) at parts-per-million concentrations in methane gas streams.

Gas samples extracted directly from the process pipeline were analysed using a photon-counting Raman system, enabling high-sensitivity identification and quantification of both methane and trace DMS concentrations.

The successful demonstration highlighted the platform’s suitability for monitoring trace species in industrial gas environments.

Key Features

  • Photon-counting Raman spectroscopy
  • High-sensitivity trace gas detection
  • Detection capability at PPM concentration levels
  • Configurable for multiple chemical species
  • Modular and expandable system architecture
  • Portable industrial instrument design
  • Suitable for flowing gas analysis applications
  • Cost-effective and reliable operation

Project Outcome

The project demonstrated the viability of photon-counting Raman spectroscopy for real-time industrial gas analysis applications.

By combining Raman spectroscopy with modular instrument architecture and high-sensitivity detection techniques, the system provided a flexible platform for trace gas monitoring and process analysis. The work also contributed to the ongoing development of advanced Raman gas-sensing technologies at IS-Instruments.

IS-Instruments application_of_raman_spectrometer Fig 02

Figure 2 Methanol spectra: Black line = 20 mm of Methanol; Red line = < 2 mm of Methanol; Blue line
= no liquid present