Emerson's New Gas Analyzer Offers World's First Hybrid Device Certified for Hazardous Areas

Today Emerson announced the release of its Rosemount^™ QX1400 Continuous Gas Analyzer for natural gas quality monitoring, continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) and other demanding applications. The Rosemount QX1400 uses the same hybrid laser-based and paramagnetic measurement technologies as the Rosemount QX1000 Continuous Gas Analyzer, but it comes with certifications allowing its use in hazardous areas. For Europe, these certifications include ATEX II 2G Ex d IIB H2 T4 and R.O.W: IECEx Ex db IIB+H2 T4 Gb. North American certification is expected by the end of 2026 for Class 1, Division 2, Groups B, C, D, T4.

The Rosemount QX1400 uses paramagnetic detection for O₂ and quantum cascade laser direct absorption spectroscopy for all other gases to meet stringent performance requirements. O₂ detection is particularly important for LNG, carbon capture and underground storage (CCUS), ethylene purity, hydrogen purity, and many other chemical and petrochemical applications–and

these applications often include many hazardous areas. This hybrid integration of different technologies and a modular approach provide a flexible, single-system solution tailored to diverse application needs. The Rosemount QX1400's robust design with low maintenance requirements also reduces lifecycle cost and downtime.

The aforementioned certifications enable the Rosemount QX1400 to be installed in certain hazardous areas without the need for protective measures, such as installation in explosion-proof or purged enclosures. This capability reduces the cost and complexity of design and installation to maximize uptime and enhance safety. In some applications, it can be installed closer to the sampling point to reduce cost and provide more accurate measurements. Applications that often require gas analysis in hazardous areas include CEMS, liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, chemical and petrochemical plants, and many others.

"Gas analysis applications should not require users to choose between the measurement technology they need and the hazardous-area installation their site demands. The Rosemount QX1400 brings complementary technologies together in one certified platform to simplify system design, while providing the measurements required for critical emissions, quality and purity applications," says Dr. Beth Livingstone, Global Product Manager - Process Gas.

Leveraging the intrinsic high selectivity of laser-based measurement, this new analyzer provides precise monitoring of complex gas streams while delivering continuous, real-time data. Off the shelf, it supports multicomponent measurement of key regulatory gases, including CO, CO₂, O₂, NO, NO₂, and SO₂, with different configurations typically offering detection of one to four gases. Measurement of additional gases, such as CH₄ and N₂O, is also available.

The Rosemount QX1400 expands Emerson's QX analyzer portfolio with hazardous-area capability and flexible multicomponent measurement in a single platform.