Thin film hydrogen sensor

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5530742

Lauf, R J; Hoffheins, B S

We have designed, constructed, and tested a miniature, solid-state hydrogen sensor intended for use wherever one needs to selectively detect the presence of gaseous hydrogen. A notable feature of this sensor is that is insensitive to the presence or absence of air inert gases, etc. The design is inherently simple, rugged, and stable, and can be manufactured by standard techniques. The concept of operation relies on the fact that when palladium metal is exposed to hydrogen gas it rapidly comes to equilibrium by absorbing hydrogen. Most hydrogen partial pressures of interest (10{sup {minus}3} to 1 psia) will be in equilibrium with the palladium/hydrogen solid solution ({alpha}-phase). The electrical resistivity of the solid solution will depend on its hydrogen concentration. A the same time, palladium will not be adversely affected by other species such as oxygen and water. 5 figs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; NASA; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5530742
• Report Number(s): CONF-9106214-1; ON: DE91014197
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
440800 -- Miscellaneous Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ABSORPTION
DESIGN
DETECTION
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
FLUIDS
GAS ANALYSIS
GASES
HYDROGEN
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NONMETALS
PALLADIUM
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PLATINUM METALS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS