Abstract:
A solid state sensing element comprising a nonporous, structurally stable, electrically insulating substrate on which is disposed spaced apart pairs of electrodes for contact with moisture. A hygroscopic electrolytic material is located in close proximity to the electrodes as by coating the electrodes with the hygroscopic material. A catalyst is deposited in close proximity to the electrodes and is electrically insulated therefom. The electrodes are connected to a source of potential and current measuring instrumentation. Moisture is trapped by the hygroscopic material and electrolyzed at the electrodes. The catalyst recombines the hydrogen and oxygen thus formed to water so there is no net consumption of water by the element and equilibrium is established at the sensor surface and the atmosphere adjacent the sensor surface. Any change in partial pressure in the atmosphere adjacent the sensor surface is reflected by the movement of water molecules to the area of least concentration which produces a change in amount of moisture being electrolyzed and an increase or decrease in the current required by the element to electrolyze water.
Abstract:
A carbon monoxide detection apparatus and process are disclosed in which the amount of carbon monoxide is measured by oxidizing it and measuring the heat of oxidation. To accomplish this platinum oxide is used as the catalyst and an operating temperature is maintained at which oxidation of carbon monoxide occurs in the presence of platinum oxide. Various types of heat-change-responsive techniques are disclosed, including measurement of the voltage drop across forward-biased solid-state diodes, and measurement of the voltage generated by thermo-couples.
Abstract:
A membrane type amperometric gas sensor is provided with a pressure equalization passage between the exterior and interior of the cell in which the electrodes are located. Cell fluids move into and out of the passage as necessary to maintain the pressure inside the cell substantially equal to the pressure outside the cell over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. A movable fluid plug or seal located in the passage protects the fluids inside of the cell from contact with the gas being sensed and from the atmosphere for all permissible values of pressure and temperature.
Abstract:
In a sulfur dioxide fluorescence analyzer, a method and apparatus for eliminating the fluorescence effects of nitric oxide is disclosed wherein a sample gas is mixed with a diluent which substantially quenches nitric oxide fluorescence.
Abstract:
An improved sensor for dissolved oxygen measurement comprising a body having an electrolyte reservoir and electrolyte contained therein and an opening for communication between the exterior of the body and the reservoir and an anode and cathode concentrically disposed in the body adjacent the opening. A thin polymeric membrane permeable to oxygen and impermeable to the electrolyte seals the opening. The working surfaces of the anode and cathode, that is the surfaces adjacent the membrane, are spaced apart from the membrane to define an electrolyte space between the working surfaces and the membrane. A noble metal screen is disposed on the working surface of the anode. Preferably the screen completely covers the anode working surface and a portion of the screen which would normally overlie the working surface of the cathode is cut away so that the cathode working surface is unobstructed. The noble metal screen over the anode surface results in a substantial retention of electrode stability over a period of time as compared to sensors similarly constructed but which do not include the noble metal screen over the anode working surface.
Abstract:
An improved solid state electrode system for measuring the pH of fluids at temperatures as high or even higher than that corresponding to the critical point of water (374.2.degree. C.). A stabilized metal oxide based ceramic member having a predetermined thickness is coupled to a first metallic conductor by a uniform, solid oxygen-free electrolyte to serve as a pH sensing electrode. A body of an electrochemically inert material, which preferably comprises a stabilized metal oxide based ceramic member having a lesser thickness or a greater porosity, is coupled to a second metallic conductor by a similar uniform solid electrolyte to serve as a reference electrode. Together the pH and reference electrodes form an electrode system that is suitable for use in applications in which the temperatures and/or pressures of the test solution preclude the use of conventional electrodes. A variety of configurations and compositions are disclosed which allow the electrode system to be fabricated in an improved manner.
Abstract:
A pH electrode which is capable of withstanding repeated exposures to sterilizing temperatures. An electrode body having a pH sensing member is at least partially filled with a bed of electrochemically inert particles. After an internal reference is inserted into the particle bed, the bed is injected with a quantity of electrolyte which is sufficient to establish continuity between the sensing member and the internal reference, but which is not sufficient to produce destructive internal pressures when the electrode is subjected to sterilizing temperatures. The electrode is completed by forming a seal between the electrode body and the internal reference.
Abstract:
A method of analyzing nitric oxide (NO) in a gas stream containing nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) and a scrubber apparatus for selectively removing nitrogen dioxide from a gas stream containing nitric oxide. The scrubber apparatus comprises a container having an inlet port for the gas stream and an outlet port. The scrubber material in the container includes silver carbonate whereby the scrubber has an efficiency of at least about 99% and a capacity of about 11.5 parts per million hours of 99% nitrogen dioxide removal per gram of silver carbonate. The method involves passing the gas stream through a scrubber material containing silver carbonate so as to remove nitrogen dioxide from the gas stream while passing the nitric oxide unattenuated and thereafter conveying the gas stream from the scrubber material to an analyzer for nitric oxide. The gas stream is analyzed with the analyzer to determine the nitric oxide concentration therein.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the chemiluminescent determination of NO/NO.sub.x in a sample gas is disclosed in which the NO.sub.x portion of the gas stream is catalytically converted in a preconditioned vitreous carbon bed at a relatively low temperature effective to catalytically convert NO.sub.x to NO and below 200.degree. C. The vitreous carbon is preconditioned by heating at a temperature of between 300.degree. C. and about 500.degree. C. for a sufficient period of time, on the order of two to five hours. The apparatus consists of a converter containing the preconditioned vitreous carbon in communication with a reaction cell consisting of a hollow cylindrical housing having an open end closed by an optical filter. A suitable photodetecter is disposed to detect light emitted through the optical filter. A chemiluminescent reaction between ozone and NO in the sample stream occurs in a reaction chamber defined by the interior of the housing. A reflector element may be disposed in the reaction chamber. The converter and the housing are preferably formed of low cost, easily worked materials, such as stainless steel or aluminum.
Abstract:
A solid state ion-sensitive measuring electrode is disclosed in which a filler solution comprising sodium silicate is provided between an outer glass membrane of the electrode and an internal metallic wire which serves as a conductor from the electrode to a meter. The filler solution is inserted into the electrode as a liquid, and is subsequently dehydrated to provide a permanent solid-state matrix which is electrically conducting between the outer glass membrane and the internal wire.