Binary gas analyzer instrument and analysis method

A binary gas analyzer instrument and analysis method for determining percent composition of a cooling gas, for example within a turbine generator, is disclosed. The instrument includes a measurement block (12) having a plurality of cells (10) therein, some of which comprise sealed cells (N,H) containing known reference gases. One of the cells (X) comprises a measurement cell and contains the binary gas mixture to be evaluated. Each of the cells contains a thermistor and means (40) is provided for keeping the cells at a substantially constant temperature. Constant current is provided to each thermistor for selfheating, and the gas within each cell conducts heat away from the thermistor at a distinctive rate. Measuring means is selectably connectable across the cell thermistors to measure the voltage drops across them, and computer means automatically translates the measured voltage drop across the measurement cells thermistor into a percent compositional reading of the binary gas constituents, the translation being accomplished with reference to the voltage drop across at least one of the reference cell thermistors.