Names and Types of Instruments

 

Names and Types of Instruments Working Under the Principle of Inline Analysers

Inline analysers are based on the principle of direct, real-time measurement within the

process stream without removing the sample. A wide range of instruments operate under this principle, each designed to measure specific physical, chemical, or biological parameters.

Below is a well-structured classification of inline analyser instruments, useful for students, industries, laboratories, and researchers.

---

1. Spectroscopic Inline Analysers

These instruments use the interaction of light with matter to determine composition and concentration.

Instruments:

• Inline UV-Visible Spectrophotometer

• Inline Near-Infrared (NIR) Analyser

• Inline Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analyser

• Inline Raman Spectrometer

• Inline Laser Absorption Spectrometer (TDLAS)

Principle:

Absorption, scattering, or emission of light at specific wavelengths.

Applications:

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing

• Petrochemical analysis

• Food quality monitoring

---

2. Electrochemical Inline Analysers

These instruments measure electrical properties related to chemical composition.

Instruments:

• Inline pH Meter

• Inline Conductivity Meter

• Inline Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Analyser

• Inline ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) Analyser

• Inline Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) Analyser

Principle:

Electrochemical reactions generating measurable electrical signals.

Applications:

• Water and wastewater treatment

• Chemical processing

• Environmental monitoring

---

3. Gas Inline Analysers

Used for continuous gas composition measurement directly in pipelines or stacks.

Instruments:

• Inline Oxygen (O₂) Analyser

• Inline Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Analyser

• Inline Carbon Monoxide (CO) Analyser

• Inline Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) Analyser

• Inline Multi-Gas Analyser

Principle:

• Paramagnetic measurement

• Infrared absorption (NDIR)

• Electrochemical sensing

Applications:

• Oil & gas refineries

• Power plants

• Emission monitoring

---

4. Physical Property Inline Analysers

These instruments measure physical characteristics of materials in real time.

Instruments:

• Inline Density Meter

• Inline Viscosity Analyser

• Inline Turbidity Meter

• Inline Refractometer

• Inline Particle Size Analyser

Principle:

Mechanical, optical, or thermal property measurement.

Applications:

• Food and beverage processing

• Paints and coatings

• Petrochemical industries

---

5. Thermal and Combustion Inline Analysers

These instruments are used in high-temperature and energy systems.

Instruments:

• Inline Thermal Conductivity Analyser

• Inline Calorific Value Analyser

• Inline Flue Gas Analyser

Principle:

Heat transfer, combustion analysis, and gas composition measurement.

Applications:

• Power plants

• Boilers and furnaces

• Energy production industries

---

6. Optical Inline Analysers

These instruments rely on optical properties such as light scattering and absorption.

Instruments:

• Inline Colorimeter

• Inline Fluorometer

• Inline Optical Turbidity Sensor

• Inline Laser-Based Analyser

Principle:

Light scattering, fluorescence, and absorbance.

Applications:

• Water quality monitoring

• Food and beverage industry

• Chemical processing

---

7. Mass and Composition Inline Analysers

These instruments provide detailed compositional analysis.

Instruments:

• Inline Mass Spectrometer

• Inline Process Gas Chromatograph (fast GC)

• Inline Elemental Analyser

Principle:

Mass-to-charge ratio measurement or component separation.

Applications:

• Petrochemical plants

• Pharmaceutical industries

• Advanced research

---

8. Moisture and Humidity Inline Analysers

These instruments measure water content in gases, liquids, or solids.

Instruments:

• Inline Moisture Analyser (Microwave/NIR-based)

• Inline Humidity Sensor

• Inline Dew Point Analyser

Principle:

Absorption of microwave/infrared energy or condensation measurement.

Applications:

• Food processing

• Paper and textile industries

• Natural gas pipelines

---

9. Specialized Inline Analysers

These are designed for specific industrial applications.

Instruments:

• Inline Chlorine Analyser

• Inline Ammonia Analyser

• Inline Sulfur Analyser

• Inline Sugar/Brix Analyser

• Inline Oil-in-Water Analyser

Principle:

Chemical-specific reactions or optical detection.

Applications:

• Water treatment plants

• Beverage industries

• Environmental monitoring

---

10. Biological and Biochemical Inline Analysers

Used in life sciences and biotechnology.

Instruments:

• Inline Bioreactor Analyser

• Inline Glucose Analyser

• Inline Lactate Analyser

• Inline Biomass Sensor

Principle:

Enzymatic reactions, optical density, or biosensing.

Applications:

• Pharmaceutical production

• Fermentation processes

• Biotechnology research

---

Summary Table

Category	Example Instruments	Principle	Key Industries
Spectroscopic	NIR, Raman, FTIR	Light absorption	Pharma, Chemicals
Electrochemical	pH, DO, Conductivity	Electrical signals	Water treatment
Gas	O₂, CO₂ analysers	IR / Paramagnetic	Oil & Gas
Physical	Density, Viscosity	Mechanical/Optical	Food, Petrochemicals
Thermal	Calorific analysers	Heat transfer	Power plants
Optical	Colorimeter, Fluorometer	Light interaction	Water, Food
Mass	Mass spectrometer	Mass analysis	Research, Petrochemical
Moisture	Dew point analyser	Absorption/condensation	Gas, Textile
Specialized	Chlorine, Brix	Chemical reaction	Water, Beverage
Biological	Glucose analyser	Enzymatic	Biotech

---

Conclusion

Inline analysers encompass a wide range of instruments that operate under the principle of direct, continuous measurement within the process stream. These instruments are essential for:

• Real-time monitoring

• Process optimization

• Quality control

• Safety assurance

For students and researchers, understanding these instruments provides a strong foundation in industrial instrumentation and analytical science. For industries, they are indispensable tools for achieving efficiency, compliance, and innovation.

The Principle of Online Analysers

Online Analysers