Method and Apparatus for Detecting Ionisable Gases in Particular Organic Molecules, Preferably Hydrocarbons

A method for controlling an exhaust gas purification system

• wherein a gas mixture is derived from a process gas stream or an exhaust gas stream,
• wherein an atmospheric plasma jet exiting from a plasma nozzle is generated,
• wherein the gas mixture containing an ionisable gas is made to interact with a plasma jet,
• wherein an electrical variable is measured so as to be used as a measure for the concentration of the ionisable gas in the gas mixture, and
• wherein the exhaust gas purification system, in particular provided means for removing ionisable molecules, or the process gas stream, in particular the process gas composition, is controlled via the determined value of the concentration of ionisable gases.

An exhaust gas purification system, comprising:

• a means for removing ionisable molecules, in particular organic molecules, preferably hydrocarbons, and
• an apparatus for detecting ionisable gases, in particular organic molecules, preferably hydrocarbons,
• wherein the means for removing ionisable molecules and a gas inlet of the apparatus are arranged in an area of an exhaust gas line, and
• wherein the apparatus comprises the gas inlet, means for ionising an ionisable gas, a voltage source, two electrodes, the two electrodes being connected to the voltage source means for determining a current strength,
• the means for determining a current strength connected to the electrodes such that the strength of the current flowing between the electrodes can be measured,
• a plasma nozzle for generating an atmospheric plasma jet provided as the means for ionising an ionisable gas, and
• a control means for controlling the means for removing ionisable molecules.