Oxygen sensor for monitoring gas mixtures containing hydrocarbons
Abstract
A gas sensor measures O{sub 2} content of a reformable monitored gas containing hydrocarbons, H{sub 2}O and/or CO{sub 2}, preferably in association with an electrochemical power generation system. The gas sensor has a housing communicating with the monitored gas environment and carries the monitored gas through an integral catalytic hydrocarbon reforming chamber containing a reforming catalyst, and over a solid electrolyte electrochemical cell used for sensing purposes. The electrochemical cell includes a solid electrolyte between a sensor electrode that is exposed to the monitored gas, and a reference electrode that is isolated in the housing from the monitored gas and is exposed to a reference gas environment. A heating element is also provided in heat transfer communication with the gas sensor. A circuit that can include controls operable to adjust operations via valves or the like is connected between the sensor electrode and the reference electrode to process the electrical signal developed by the electrochemical cell. The electrical signal varies as a measure of the equilibrium oxygen partial pressure of the monitored gas. Signal noise is effectively reduced by maintaining a constant temperature in the area of the electrochemical cell and providing a monitored gas at chemical equilibria when contactingmore »
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation
- OSTI Identifier:
- 203879
- Patent Number(s):
- 5498487
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-288,850
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-80ET17089
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 12 Mar 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; HYDROCARBON FUEL CELLS; OXYGEN METERS; DESIGN; REFORMER PROCESSES; WATER VAPOR; CARBON DIOXIDE; MONITORING; SIGNAL CONDITIONING
Citation Formats
Ruka, R J, and Basel, R A. Oxygen sensor for monitoring gas mixtures containing hydrocarbons. United States: N. p., 1996.
Web.
Ruka, R J, & Basel, R A. Oxygen sensor for monitoring gas mixtures containing hydrocarbons. United States.
Ruka, R J, and Basel, R A. Tue .
"Oxygen sensor for monitoring gas mixtures containing hydrocarbons". United States.
@article{osti_203879,
title = {Oxygen sensor for monitoring gas mixtures containing hydrocarbons},
author = {Ruka, R J and Basel, R A},
abstractNote = {A gas sensor measures O{sub 2} content of a reformable monitored gas containing hydrocarbons, H{sub 2}O and/or CO{sub 2}, preferably in association with an electrochemical power generation system. The gas sensor has a housing communicating with the monitored gas environment and carries the monitored gas through an integral catalytic hydrocarbon reforming chamber containing a reforming catalyst, and over a solid electrolyte electrochemical cell used for sensing purposes. The electrochemical cell includes a solid electrolyte between a sensor electrode that is exposed to the monitored gas, and a reference electrode that is isolated in the housing from the monitored gas and is exposed to a reference gas environment. A heating element is also provided in heat transfer communication with the gas sensor. A circuit that can include controls operable to adjust operations via valves or the like is connected between the sensor electrode and the reference electrode to process the electrical signal developed by the electrochemical cell. The electrical signal varies as a measure of the equilibrium oxygen partial pressure of the monitored gas. Signal noise is effectively reduced by maintaining a constant temperature in the area of the electrochemical cell and providing a monitored gas at chemical equilibria when contacting the electrochemical cell. The output gas from the electrochemical cell of the sensor is fed back into the conduits of the power generating system. 4 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1996},
month = {3}
}