TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Catalytic Gas Sensor Conversion K-Factors

Catalytic combustible gas detection systems are best used for detection of a specific gas
or vapor type, although they will respond to a variety of flammable vapor species. The
Instrument Society of America (ISA) recommends always calibrating your catalytic sensor
with the specific vapor type that is expected to be detected at the jobsite whenever
possible. This recommendation means that every project requires some investigation as
to the gas hazard(s) expected to be detected before specifying the calibration gas.

While Det-Tronics catalytic gas detection systems are capable of accurately measuring
literally hundreds of different flammable gases, only a handful of pre-mixed, compressed
calibration gas types are offered. This means that whenever a gas or vapor must be
detected for which there is not a matching calibration gas mixture offered, a conversion “K”
factor must be used by the technician performing the calibration procedure to ensure
proper sensitivity to the vapor is provided by the system.

In a typical calibration, a known concentration (typically one-half of the sensor’s full scale
detection range) of the actual gas or vapor that is expected to be detected should be used
to calibrate the system. Det-Tronics calibration gas should be always be used to ensure
proper system calibration performance and accuracy. Calibration gas should not be used
if the oxygen concentration within the gas is listed at less than 20% by volume.

A conversion "K" factor must be used in the calibration of the system whenever detection
of gases/vapors other than the gas used in the actual calibration process will occur. See
Table #1 following for the current list of Det-Tronics "K" factors. The "K" factor represents
the relative sensor response ratio of the calibration gas to the detected gas. The "K" factor
is used within the "K" factor Equation to determine the proper transmitter output level
(span setpoint) when the sensor is exposed to the calibration gas.
The "K" factor Equation is as follows:

CxK=S

where, C= Concentration of the calibration gas, in % L.F.L.

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 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Catalytic Gas Sensor Conversion K-Factors

Example: Gas/vapor to be detected: Gasoline vapors

Equation: C x K = S
50 x 1.04 = 52

For proper system sensitivity to Gasoline vapors, the transmitter span setpoint should be
adjusted to read 52% L.F.L when the sensor is exposed to 50% L.F.L Propane in air
mixture calibration gas.

If more than one calibration gas type and "K" factor is listed for a gas to be detected,
generally the best calibration gas to use is that which provides a "K" factor closest to value
1.0 (one). Note that the presence of Methane gas as a potential detectable gas is an
exception. Always use Methane calibration gas if Methane is expected to be present
within the protected area.

If a specific gas/vapor and "K" factor is not listed within Table #1, then "K" factor testing by
Det-Tronics Sensor Engineering dept. is required. There is a $100.00 fee per sample for
this service. Det-Tronics may not accept some items for testing, such as hazardous, toxic,
carcinogenic, pyrophoric, or hypergolic materials. In this case, an estimated "K" factor
may be provided based upon the Material Safety Data Sheet (M.S.D.S.), previous test
data and engineering judgement. All requests for testing must be accompanied with a
M.S.D.S for that material before any shipment of the material is made. Recent Minnesota
State law also may preclude Det-Tronics from accepting or handling certain hazardous
materials. Following is the recommended procedure for requests for "K" factor testing:

1. The request for "K" factor testing, complete with appropriate M.S.D.S., should be
issued to Det-Tronics Customer Service Dept. A purchase order issued to Det-
Tronics for testing services will be required upon request approval.
2. A one ounce sample of liquids or 7.5 liters of gaseous materials shall be packaged
and shipped in the appropriate container to attn: Gas Sensor K-Factor Test Lab.
3. A Material Safety Data Sheet must accompany each sample to be tested.
4. Technical information typically required for each compound includes: specific
gravity, molecular weight, vapor density, flashpoint, lower and upper flammability
limit.
5. All sample materials will be returned to the customer after test completion for proper
disposal.

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6901 West 110 Street n Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438 USA
Tel: 612.941.5665 or [Link] n Fax: 612.829.8750
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Catalytic Gas Sensor Conversion K-Factors

Conversion "K" Factors

Table #1 is applicable to all current Det-Tronics Combustible Gas Sensors including all
CGSS-series sensor part numbers, as well as all 225006-XXX, 226530-XXX, 226531-
XXX, 225957-XXX, 226999-XXX, and 226931-XXX series sensor part numbers.

Table #1 is not applicable to Det-Tronics C7061C series sensors (part numbers 003699-
XXX), used with R8460/8466 and U8700A - D gas detection systems.

Table #1
Gas to be detected Type of Calibration Gas

Methane Hydrogen Propane

Acetaldehyde 0.96 0.97 0.79

Acetic Anhydride 1.46 0.97 1.00

Acetone 1.44 1.65 1.04

Acetonitrile - - 1.10

Acetylene 1.12 1.56 0.95

Ammonia 1.06 1.40 0.83

Benzene 1.56 1.79 1.13

Butadiene 1.35 1.80 1.08

Butane 1.47 1.75 1.10

Calsol Thinner 325 - - 1.70

Cyclohexane 1.49 1.70 1.07

Cumene - - 1.70

Dichloroethane - - 1.12

Dicyclopentadiene 2.06 1.63 1.51

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Catalytic Gas Sensor Conversion K-Factors

Methane Hydrogen Propane

Diethyl Ether 1.20 1.11 0.97

Diesel fuel oil #2 - - 2.30

Dimethylformamide 1.68 1.20 1.24

Ethane 1.24 1.41 0.89

Ethanol 1.26 1.43 0.91

Ethyl Acetate - - 1.12

Ethylbenzene 1.80 - 1.40

Ethylene 1.03 1.17 0.74

Ethylene Dichloride - - 1.12

Formaldehyde 0.69 0.65 0.54

Freon 142B 2.77 2.47 2.03

Gasoline 1.45 1.65 1.04

Heptane - - 1.42

Hexane 1.87 2.14 1.35

1-Hexene 1.27 1.36 1.04

Hydrogen 0.88 1.00 0.63

Isobutane 1.47 1.75 1.10

Isobutylene 1.11 1.46 0.89

Isopentane 1.50 1.71 1.08

Isoprene 0.97 0.86 0.82

Isopropyl Alcohol 1.31 1.22 1.09

Jet Fuel A - - 1.70

Jet Fuel JP-5 - - 1.90

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6901 West 110 Street n Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438 USA
Tel: 612.941.5665 or [Link] n Fax: 612.829.8750
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Catalytic Gas Sensor Conversion K-Factors

Methane Hydrogen Propane

Methane 1.00 1.14 0.72

Methanol 0.96 1.09 0.69

Methyl Acrylate 1.62 1.47 1.40

Methyl Ethyl Ketone 1.66 1.90 1.20

MethylIsobutyl Ketone - - 1.25

Naptha (VM & P) 1.69 1.82 1.47

Pentane 1.50 1.72 1.08

Propane 1.39 1.59 1.00

Propylene 1.20 1.37 0.86

Stoddard Solvent 1.47 1.33 1.22

Styrene - - 1.90

Tetrahydrofuran 1.21 1.07 1.02

Toluene 1.69 1.94 1.22

Trimethyl amine 1.19 1.08 1.03

Xylene 1.75 2.20 1.33

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6901 West 110 Street n Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438 USA
Tel: 612.941.5665 or [Link] n Fax: 612.829.8750