Method for detecting toxic gases

Patent · Tue Oct 08 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:7173324

Stetter, J R; Zaromb, S; Findlay, Jr, M W

A method is disclosed which is capable of detecting low concentrations of a pollutant or other component in air or other gas. This method utilizes a combination of a heating filament having a catalytic surface of a noble metal for exposure to the gas and producing a derivative chemical product from the component. An electrochemical sensor responds to the derivative chemical product for providing a signal indicative of the product. At concentrations in the order of about 1-100 ppm of tetrachloroethylene, neither the heating filament nor the electrochemical sensor is individually capable of sensing the pollutant. In the combination, the heating filament converts the benzyl chloride to one or more derivative chemical products which may be detected by the electrochemical sensor. 6 figures.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: ARCH Development Corporation, Argonne, IL (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5055266
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-499202
• OSTI ID: 7173324
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR POLLUTION MONITORS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DESIGN
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
MONITORS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE