FTIR Gas Cells for Corrosive Applications
Our Products
Mission Statement
To provide the most robust FTIR Technology for gas analysis.
Gas Cells are FTIR sampling chambers that place a gas sample within the infrared beam path so its spectrum can be measured accurately. CIC Photonics builds long path and short path configurations from 316L stainless steel, with nickel coating or electropolishing options, and from Hastelloy C22 or C276 for demanding corrosive, high-pressure, and high-temperature applications.
CIC Photonics Gas Cells
Quality, innovation, and ruggedness are key characteristics that define our gas phase sampling cells. Our attention to detail has placed them at the top of the market for over 25 years! CIC Photonics’ expertise has led to the development and design of innovative custom cells.
We work together with our customers to ensure that we are providing a reliable solution for their application. For more than 25 years, we have been proud to be the solutions provider when no alternative solution has exactly met a customer’s needs.
Our gas cells offer the highest optical throughput performance in the market, not only offering the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for spectral analysis but also the most accurate spectral collection. Each gas cell is optimized for energy throughput while performing a spectral shift accuracy verification. A gas cell should not introduce any spectral shift that is due to the alignment process.
Our gas cells are constructed of 316L Stainless Steel for maximum corrosion resistance. The gas cell bodies are coated with nickel to further enhance anti-corrosive properties or can be electropolished. For more demanding applications, the gas cells can be constructed out of Hastelloy C22 or C276.
We understand the nature, toxicity, and corrosivity of the production chemistry used at customers’ facilities. Our measured leak rate specs are the most stringent in the market for elastomer seals.
We leak test all our gas cells via a helium detector to leak rate levels below 1×10-8 cc/sec of Helium prior to shipment. (Typically, under 3×10-9 cc/sec of He).
What Makes Our Gas Cells Different?
Key Features of CIC Photonics Gas Cells
- Designed for high optical throughput, high SNR, and accurate spectra collection.
- Spectral shift accuracy is verified so alignment does not introduce a shift into the collected spectrum.
- Bodies are manufactured from 316L stainless steel, with nickel coating or electropolishing options, or from Hastelloy C22 or C276 for more demanding applications.
- Each unit is helium leak tested before shipment.
- Long path and direct/short path configurations are available with different pathlengths, volumes, seals, windows, pressure ratings, and temperature options.
Measured leak rate and expected time to leak 1 cc
| Measured Leak Rate (cc/sec of He) | Expected Time to Leak 1 cc |
|---|---|
| 1×10-9 | 32 years |
| 1×10-8 | 3.2 years |
| 1×10-7 | 115 days |
| 1×10-6 | 11 days |
Corrosive Gas Sampling Cells in Stainless Steel and Hastelloy
CIC Photonics manufactures 316L stainless steel gas sampling cells for corrosion resistance. The bodies can be nickel-coated to provide additional anti-corrosive properties or electropolished. For more demanding sample chemistries, Hastelloy gas cells can be constructed from C22 or C276. Material selection should be discussed against the sample chemistry, toxicity, corrosiveness, operating temperature, and pressure requirements already defined for the application.
Long Path Gas Cells (White’s Cell Optical Configuration)
A long-path gas cell extends the optical path length to increase the interaction between analytes and the infrared beam, which increases the absorptivity of the sample gas. The design must balance the longer path length with the total energy transmitted through the gas cell. Poor optical design, alignment, component quality, or coatings can reduce sample SNR and remove the benefit of the longer path.
CIC Photonics has developed specialized long-path gas cells for demanding operating conditions, sampling environments, and material requirements. The White’s cell configuration uses protected gold-coated mirrors with proprietary strata that bond the reflective coating and protect the mirrors from chemical attack. The mirrors provide more than 98.5% reflectivity in the mid-infrared region and are fabricated from stainless steel, with solid nickel available as an option. This multi-pass gas cell design supports high optical power throughput.
Long path cells inherently have a larger internal volume than short path gas cells. CIC Photonics addresses this with a circumferential laminar-flow plenum at the sampling inlet and outlet. A typical gas cell requires three volume exchanges to replace 90% of its contents (T90), while CIC Photonics long path cells reach T90 with two volume exchanges.
Common Features of Long Path Gas Cells
- Internal temperature and pressure sensor options.
- 316L stainless steel construction with electropolished or nickel-coated options.
- Continuous operating temperatures up to 315°C with certain seals.
- Multiple sealing material options based on sample requirements.
- Evacuation to below 1×10-7 Torr and pressurization up to 300 psig / 20 bar, depending on the optical windows.
- VCR gas ports for sampling inlets and outlets, with other options available.
- Integrated optical purge box with movable reference optics for background collection.
- Proprietary protected gold-coated stainless steel mirrors, with solid nickel mirrors available.
- Input and output circumferential plenum for laminar flow and rapid gas sample exchange, reaching T90 in two volume exchanges.
- Permeation cover for low-moisture detection applications.
- Thermal stability of the sample gas supported by the circumferential plenum flow.
- Optical window options include sapphire, AgCl, BaF2, CaF2, Ge, KBr, ZnSe, and ZnS.
- 120V and 240V heating packages tuned through a PID loop to match the gas cell’s thermal properties.
IRGAS systems can also support pollutant emissions monitoring, combustion efficiency analysis, and the decontamination of hazardous chemical and biological agents. Fitted with the Specialty Gas Analysis Solution (SPGAS) software system, CIC Photonics turnkey IRGAS systems can meet chemical analysis requirements across industrial applications.
Ranger and 4Runner Long Path Cell Specifications
Ranger Gas Cell Differentiators:
- 9.6 m standard pathlength
- 1.6-liter internal volume
- Dual heating zone for enhanced thermal stability control.
4Runner Gas Cell Differentiator:
- 6 m standard pathlength (shorter pathlengths available at the factory)
- 0.6-liter internal volume with a 0.34-liter option
Direct/Short Path Gas Cells
Short path gas cells provide direct sampling across shorter optical pathlengths. Depending on the model, CIC Photonics offers pathlengths from 1 mm to 20 cm, as well as the Cherokee 1 m path or a custom length. These configurations provide several options when selecting an infrared gas cell for a spectrometer sample compartment, table mount, fiber optic coupling, high-pressure operation, or cryogenic cooling.
Common Features of Direct/Short Path Gas Cells
- Internal temperature and pressure sensor options.
- 316L stainless steel construction with electropolished or nickel-coated options, with Hastelloy available.
- Continuous operating temperatures up to 315°C with certain seals.
- Multiple sealing material options based on sample requirements.
- Evacuation to below 1×10-7 Torr and pressurization up to 300 psig / 20 bar, depending on the optical windows.
- VCR gas ports for sampling inlets and outlets, with other options available.
- Three volume exchanges to T90.
- Optical window options include sapphire, AgCl, BaF2, CaF2, Ge, KBr, ZnSe, and ZnS.
- 120V and 240V heating packages tuned through a PID loop to match the gas cell’s thermal properties.
Scout, CRV, and Cherokee Gas Cell Specifications
Scout Gas Cell Differentiators
- 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm pathlengths available
- 2.8ml volume per cm of pathlength.
- Adjustable height for various spectrometer sample compartment fitment or table mount
- Fiber optic coupling option available
CRV Gas Cell Differentiators
- 1mm up to 5cm pathlength options
- 120V or 240V heaters available, 240V controller is CE certified
- Adjustable height for various spectrometer sample compartment fitment or table mount
- Cryogenic embedded cooling coil option for operation down to -40°
- Pressure rating options up to 135 bar/2,000 psi
Cherokee Gas Cell Differentiators
- 1m path or custom length available
- Fiber optic coupling option available
- Brewster angle windows configuration option
Request a Quote for Your Combustion Analyzer System
Why Choose CIC Photonics for Gas Cells?
CIC Photonics has engineered gas analysis systems, gas cells, and FTIR accessories since 1994 and serves clients worldwide. The company has maintained ISO 9001:2015 certification since 2006. Gas cell credibility is also supported by the page’s specific construction materials, operating limits, optical mirror data, and helium leak-testing process rather than general marketing claims.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Cells
What Is The Difference Between Long Path And Short Path Gas Cells?
Long path gas cells extend the optical pathlength to increase the interaction between analytes and the infrared beam, which increases sample absorptivity. They have a larger internal volume, while CIC Photonics direct/short path gas cells provide shorter pathlength options for applications that do not require the same extended optical path.
What Materials Are CIC Photonics Gas Cells Constructed From?
CIC Photonics gas cells are constructed from 316L stainless steel and can be nickel coated or electropolished. For more demanding corrosive applications, the cells can be manufactured from Hastelloy C22 or C276.
What Pathlength Options Are Available For FTIR Gas Sampling Cells?
Available options include a 9.6 m standard Ranger pathlength, a 6 m standard 4Runner pathlength, Scout pathlengths of 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm, CRV pathlengths from 1 mm to 5 cm, and a 1 m or custom Cherokee pathlength. Shorter 4Runner pathlengths are also available from the factory.
What Our Clients Say
Request a Custom Gas Cell Solution
Gas Cells can be configured around pathlength, internal volume, construction material, operating temperature, pressure, seals, optical windows, heating, and coupling requirements described above. Speak with a CIC Photonics product specialist to discuss the application and request a custom quote.
You can also call or email us directly to request a quote or share the details of your project.