Gas analysis
Gas analysis includes the precise analysis of gases and gas mixtures. It enables the reliable measurement of emissions, process gases and trace gases in the environment, industry, medicine and research.
Gas analysis in everyday life
Gas analysis – i.e. the precise measurement of the proportions of gas mixtures – plays an important role in many areas of daily life. Among other things, it helps ensure that gaseous air pollutants or climate-relevant gases can be measured reliably and precisely over long time series in the context of environmental protection. In addition, emissions can be controlled or breath analysis can be developed and applied as a new diagnostic tool in the healthcare sector. This accurately quantifies environmental impacts, supports safety standards in everyday life and promotes innovation.
Typical applications of gas analysis
Gas analysis is used in various areas, such as:
- in environmental and climate monitoring for the reliable measurement of gaseous air pollutants and greenhouse gases over long periods of time;
- in the case of heating control to verify compliance with emission limits;
- in industry for process and quality control;
- in medicine for the analysis of breathable air;
- in personal protection for workplace monitoring of hazardous gases;
- in road safety to measure breath alcohol.
Our services in the field of gas analysis
Our services include the calibration of measuring instruments and gas mixtures as well as the measurement of gaseous amount-of-substance fractions in the range from pmol/mol to mmol/mol, sometimes even up to the percentage range. We specialise in reactive substances.
A detailed overview of our services in the field of gas analysis can be found in our service catalogue:
Calibrations and analyses
We offer calibrations and analyses for the following gaseous substances, among others:
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including halogenated VOCs
- ammonia (NH₃)
- nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂)
- carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- ozone (O3)
- Specialized services available upon request
Calibrations and analyses are carried out in our laboratory or on-site at the customer’s premises.
Approvals and conformity assessments
We grant national approvals for the following measuring instruments:
- Exhaust gas measuring instruments for combustion systems
- Breath alcohol meters and testers
For conformity assessments of measuring instruments for gas mixture proportions, please contact our Certification Body METAS-Cert.
Verifications
We carry out verifications for the following measuring equipment:
- Exhaust gas measuring instruments for combustion systems
- Breath alcohol meters and testers
Is the service you are looking for not listed on the website? Please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can work together to find a customised solution to your problem.
Measuring methods and technologies
Our measuring equipment uses sophisticated methods that can be combined depending on the application and can be used either in the laboratory or on site at the customer’s premises. These include:
- dynamic generation of reference gas mixtures
- high-precision, automated dilution
- high-precision analytical methods for trace and emission gases
These methods enable measurements and calibrations, even in the case of extremely low amount-of-substance fractions with low measurement uncertainty.
Quality and expertise
You can find information on the quality of our services on the “Integrated Management System” page.
Enquiry and contact
Laboratory Gas Analysis
Federal Institute of Metrology METAS
Lindenweg 50
3003 Bern-Wabern
General enquiries: gas@metas.ch
Enquiries to the furnaces verification laboratory: exhaust@metas.ch