Acoustic wave (AW) based moisture sensor for use with corrosive gases

Patent · Tue Nov 05 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:392630

Pfeifer, K B; Frye, G C; Schneider, T W

Moisture corrosive gas stream is measured as a function of the difference in resonant frequencies between two acoustic wave (AW) devices, each with a film which accepts at least one of the components of the gas stream. One AW is located in the gas stream while the other is located outside the gas stream but in the same thermal environment. In one embodiment, the film is a hydrophilic material such as SiO{sub 2}. In another embodiment, the SiO{sub 2} is covered with another film which is impermeable to the corrosive gas, such that the AW device in the gas stream measures only the water vapor. In yet another embodiment, the film comprises polyethylene oxide which is hydrophobic and measures only the partial pressure of the corrosive gas. Other embodiments allow for compensation of drift in the system. 8 figs.

• Research Organization: AT&T Corporation
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Sandia Corp., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,571,944/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-359,510
• OSTI ID: 392630
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
DESIGN
GAS ANALYSIS
HYGROSCOPICITY
OPERATION
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
SILICON OXIDES
SONIC PROBES
SOUND WAVES
THIN FILMS