Application and Importance of Monitoring Heating Systems

Measuring CO Concentration in the Ambient Air

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas, which is a product of the incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon (oil, gas, and solid fuels). When carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs, it actively binds with hemoglobin, blocking the transfer of oxygen to tissue cells, resulting in death by asphyxiation. Thus, it is extremely important to monitor CO concentration at the hot point of flue gases, as well as in areas of potential threat to human life (in our case, in the locations of fuel-burning installations for hot water systems), and in other adjacent premises.

Measuring Draft in the Flue (Differential Pressure)

In fact, draft measurement is the measurement of differential pressure. Differential pressure arises between two sections due to a temperature difference, resulting in flow compensation. In the application area under consideration, the differential pressure value indicates the flue gas draft. During measurements, the pressure value between the ambient environment and the flue is displayed. Measurements are performed at the center of the flow.

In low-pressure systems, proper removal of flue gases through the chimney is mandatory due to sufficient differential pressure (flue gas draft).
If the draft values are too high, the average flue gas temperature increases, leading to heat loss with the flue gases. Consequently, the system’s operational efficiency is reduced. If the draft values are too low, a lack of oxygen during the combustion process causes an increase in CO concentration and soot number, which also leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the entire system.

Flue Gas Measurements for Burner Commissioning (CO, O
2
​
, and Temperature)

Flue gas parameter measurements for checking heating systems allow for the determination of the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere with the flue gases (e.g., carbon monoxide – CO), and also to calculate heat losses with the flue gases. In some countries, flue gas measurement requirements are stipulated by law. The adoption of such laws pursues two main goals:

1. The maximum possible reduction of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere;
2. Effective use of energy.

Exceeding the established maximum permissible values of atmospheric pollutants is prohibited. Compliance of the measured values with the permissible limits is checked during normal operation (measurements are performed with appropriate instruments before each system startup). For measurements, the tip of the sampling probe is placed in the center of the flue, where the temperature and flue gas concentration are highest.

The measurement data are recorded by the flue gas analyzer and can then be transferred for printing or to a PC for further processing and analysis. Measurements are carried out by the heating system installer during commissioning, and then, if necessary, four weeks after commissioning by a chimney sweep engineer or a representative of the supervisory authority. Subsequently, regular measurements are carried out at set intervals by an authorized service engineer.

Pressure Measurements (Gas Pressure at the Nozzle, Gas Flow Pressure)

Basic measurements when setting up residential heating systems include checking the gas pressure, which in turn includes measuring the gas flow pressure and the static gas pressure. Measuring the gas flow pressure involves measuring the pressure in the supply pipe, while static pressure measurements determine the pressure distribution in the quiescent gas. If the gas flow pressure value of gas boilers slightly exceeds the range of 18 to 25 mbar, operation is not permissible. If operation is carried out despite the exceeded values, the burner’s functionality is impaired, and an explosion may occur during flame adjustment, leading to the failure of the burner, and thus the entire heating system.

testo 310 Flue Gas Analyzer Kit

• testo 310 flue gas analyzer, with O
  2
  ​
  and CO measurement modules (0…4,000 ppm)
• CO
  2
  ​
  concentration calculation
• Draft, pressure measurement
• Sampling probe up to +400 °C, 180 mm long with fixed cone
• testo 510i differential pressure manometer with smartphone operation
• Silicone hoses for pressure measurement (Ø 4 mm and 5 mm) with adapter
• Dust filters (5 pcs.)
• USB cable and factory calibration protocol

Flue Gas Analyzer (testo 310) and Smart Probe Manometer (testo 510i)

Flue Gas Analyzer (presumably testo 310)

Order No.: 0563 3106 10

Registered in the Register of the State System for Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements of the Republic of Kazakhstan
28.03.2022 with No. KZ.02.01.01474-2022 type designation
Valid until 28.03.2027

General Technical Data

Temperature Measurement (Type K Thermocouple, Ambient)

Temperature Measurement (Type J Thermocouple, Flue Gas)

O
2
​
Measurement

Differential Pressure Measurement (Flue Gas Draft)

Calculated Parameters

Pressure Measurement

CO Measurement (without H
2
​
-compensation)

Ambient CO Measurement

testo 316-3 – Refrigerant Leak Detector

The testo 316-3 is a reliable instrument for detecting refrigerant leaks that will take a worthy place among the tools of refrigeration specialists. Thanks to its high sensitivity, the instrument can detect the slightest leaks; furthermore, it complies with the requirements of the EU F-Gas Directive, as well as the SAE J1627 and EN14624 standards.

To start measurements, you only need to turn on the instrument – no preliminary configuration or selection of characteristic curves is required. Thanks to the automatic zeroing function, the testo 316-3 can detect refrigerant leaks even in rooms with heavily contaminated air.

Checking the Tightness of Refrigeration Systems

The testo 316-3 meets all the requirements of the F-gas regulation, thanks to its high sensitivity of 4 g/year. This means the possibility of detecting any refrigerant leak, be it R22, R134a, R410a, or any other refrigerant.

User-Replaceable Sensor

The simple design of the testo 316-3 allows the sensor to be replaced within a few seconds and ensures the sensor is fully ready for operation.

Order No.: 0563 3163

Technical Data

General Technical Data

Technical Data

Order No.: 0632 0336

General Technical Data

Gas Measurement Parameters

testo 340 Flue Gas Analyzer

Calculated Parameters

• Dew point
• Heat loss + Efficiency (ETA)
• CO – undiluted
• NOx
  ​
• Flow velocity (volume flow, mass flow)
• Lambda (λ)
• Gas consumption
• Battery capacity (%)
• Sensor diagnostics

Scope of Delivery and Registration Data

Registered in the Register of the State System for Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements of the Republic of Kazakhstan

28.03.2022 with No. KZ.02.01.01474-2022 type designation

Valid until 28.03.2027

Technical Data (Measurement Ranges)

Gas Parameters

Pressure and Temperature Measurement

Technical Data

Order No.: 0563 0535

Measurement of CO
2
​
in Ambient Air

General Technical Data

Flue Gas Analysis in Heating Systems

The Ideal Instrument for Measurements in Heating Systems

• High-class Longlife sensors with a service life of up to 6 years
• Control via smart-touch function
• Clearly structured measurement menus
• On-site documentation
• Sending reports via e-mail
• Large HD display
• Robust housing

Other Areas of Application

• Gas flow pressure measurement*
• Gas pipe testing*
• Differential temperature measurement (temperature in the flow and return pipes of the heating system)
• Measurement of CO concentration in the ambient air
• Draft measurement in heating system flues/chimneys*
• Integrated 4 Pa measurement function for fuel combustion systems

Note: These measurements require additional probes or accessories, which must be ordered separately.

Registration Data

Order No.: 0564 3004 02

Registered in the Register of the State System for Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements of the Republic of Kazakhstan
28.03.2022 with No. KZ.02.01.01474-2022 type designation
Valid until 28.03.2027

Technical Data

Registration Data

Measurement Parameters

General Technical Data