Moisture Analysis
Applications in which moisture analysis is important include dry air, hydrocarbon processing, pure semiconductor gases, bulk pure gases, dielectric gases such as those in transformers and power plants, and natural gas pipeline transport. Utilizing a variety of techniques, Consolidated Sciences can measure trace moisture in many gases. They include Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, continuous wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CW-CRDS), and quartz crystal microbalance (QCMB) techniques.
The matrix gas, the impurities other than moisture, as well as the amount of sample available will determine the best technique. In particular, natural gas poses a unique situation since it can have very high levels of contaminants as well as corrosives in varying concentrations.
Due to the ubiquitous nature of water vapor and its adsorptive behavior, an accurate determination at single digit ppm (part per million) levels and below generally requires a very large volume of sample as well as a relatively intensive analysis. It is highly recommended that you discuss your specific analysis directly with one of our analysts.
List of general moisture analysis capabilities.
| Matrix | Detection Limit(s) | DL(s) (ppm) | Technique(s) |
| Ammonia (NH3) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Argon (Ar) | 0.01 ppm | 0.01 | FTIR, CW–CRDS |
| Arsine (AsH3) | 1 – 2 ppm | 1 – 2 | FTIR |
| Boron trichloride (BCl3) | 1 – 2 ppm | 1 – 2 | FTIR |
| Boron trifluoride (BF3) | 1 – 2 ppm | 1 – 2 | FTIR |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS |
| Carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS |
| Chlorine (Cl2) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS |
| Deuterium (D2) | < 0.01 ppm | < 0.01 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Dichlorosilane (SiCl2H2) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Difluoroethane (C2H4F2) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | QCMB |
| Difluoromethane (CH2F2) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | QCMB |
| Dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | QCMB |
| Disilane (Si2H6) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Ethane (C2H6) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR, QCMB |
| Ethylene (C2H4) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR, QCMB |
| Germane (GeH4) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR, QCMB |
| Germanium tetrafluoride (GeF4) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Helium (He) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS |
| Hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene (C4F6) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS |
| Hexafluoroethane (C2F6) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Hydrogen (H2) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Hydrogen bromide (HBr) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | FTIR, CW–CRDS |
| Hydrogen chloride (HCl) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Hydrogen fluoride (HF) | 0.5 – 2.0 ppm | 0.5 – 2.0 | FTIR |
| Hydrogen selenide (H2Se) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Methane (CH4) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | QCMB |
| Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | QCMB |
| Methyl fluoride (CH3F) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | QCMB |
| Neon (Ne) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Nitric Oxide (NO) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR |
| Nitrogen (N2) | 1–2 ppm | 1–2 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) | 0.05 ppm | 0.05 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Nitrous Oxide (N2O) | 0.1 ppm | 0.1 | CW–CRDS |
| Octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8) | 0.01 ppm | 0.01 | CW–CRDS |
| Oxygen (O2) | < 0.01 ppm | < 0.01 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Phosphine (PH3) | 0.5 – 2.0 ppm | 0.5 – 2.0 | FTIR |
| Propene (C3H6) | < 0.05 ppm | < 0.05 | FTIR, QCMB |
| Silane (SiH4) | 0.5 – 2.0 ppm | 0.5 – 2.0 | FTIR |
| Silicon tetrafluoride (SiF4) | 0.5 – 2.0 ppm | 0.5 – 2.0 | FTIR |
| Sulfur dioxide (SO2) | 0.5 – 2.0 ppm | 0.5 – 2.0 | FTIR |
| Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) | < 0.01 ppm | < 0.01 | FTIR, CW–CRDS, QCMB |
| Trifluoromethane (CHF3) | 0.5 – 2.0 ppm | 0.5 – 2.0 | FTIR, QCMB |
| Trimethylamine ((CH3)3N) | 50 – 100 ppm | 50 – 100 | FTIR |
| Trimethylsilane (Si(CH3)3) | < 0.05 ppm | < 0.05 | FTIR, QCMB |
We recommend discussing your specific analysis directly with one of our analysts. Call us today to discuss your specific needs and visit Getting Started for important information.
Top