Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a chemical compound containing one hydrogen atom with a polar covalent bond to a fluorine atom. It is a colorless gas with a strong smell and occurs naturally through processes such as volcanic activity. When contact is made with water, it becomes the flammable and corrosive hydrofluoric acid.

Hydrogen fluoride use has become an essential part of a variety of manufacturing activities including in the production of refrigerants, gasoline, semiconductors, plastic, and fluorescent light bulbs. However, contact with unsafe concentrations can cause bodily damage and, if exposure is prolonged, can result in serious harm, such as skeletal fluorosis. Coal-fired power plants are the most significant anthropogenic emitters of hydrogen fluoride. These emissions can have adverse environmental effects, for example acid rain, which can threaten buildings and ecosystems. Due to the risks, precisely monitoring hydrogen fluoride is an important component of both health & safety and environmental efforts.

Picarro has designed and produced a gas concentration analyzer that precisely measures hydrogen fluoride for laboratory and field studies.