Fluid mixture composition sensor

A fluid sensor for determining a selected property of one or more fluids of interest, comprising:

• a heater;
• a thermal sensor in proximate position to said heater and in thermal communication therewith through the one or more fluids of interest, said sensor having a temperature dependent output;
• and
• energizing means connected to said heater for energizing the heater to induce an elevated temperature condition in said thermal sensor, wherein said elevated temperature is preselected to minimize the effect of H2O.

A method for compensating a fluid sensor using a heater and a temperature sensor, comprising:

• adjusting the output of the fluid sensor to a known value for ambient temperature;
• determining the range of H2O in the fluid to be sensed;
• selecting a heater temperature value to minimize the effect of H2O on the fluid sensor;
• and
• heating the fluid to be sensed using the heater to the selected temperature value.

A method for compensating a fluid sensor using a heater and a temperature sensor, wherein each of said heater and said temperature sensor are in thermal communication with the fluid of interest and have a resistance that changes with temperature, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining the variability range of CO2 in the fluid to be sensed;
• selecting a desired temperature for said heater;
• and
• energizing the heater with an input signal to induce an elevated temperature condition in said heater.

A fluid sensor to sense hydrogen concentrations comprised of:

• a thin film heater;
• at least one thin film temperature sensor;
• a semiconductor body with a depression therein;
• and
• the heater and temperature sensor lying in a plane substantially parallel to the semiconductor body, said heater operable to induce a predetermined temperature proximate to the heater and the temperature sensor inside the fluid sensor, said temperature being preselected to minimize the effect of a fluid from the group consisting of H2O and CO2.

A method for compensating a fluid sensor using a heater and a temperature sensor, comprising:

• adjusting the output of the fluid sensor to a known value for ambient temperature;
• determining the range of H2O and CO2 in the fluid to be sensed;
• energizing the heater in the fluid to be sensed to one or more temperatures and varying the amount of H2O and CO2 in the fluid to be sensed while monitoring the output of the fluid sensor;
• selecting a heater temperature value to minimize the effect of H2O and CO2 on the fluid sensor;
• heating the fluid to be sensed using the heater to the selected temperature value.