Hydrogen Sensor for Aluminum-Water Reactions

A system comprising:

• a) a hydrogen sensor, the hydrogen sensor including an electrolyte having a barium-zirconate-cerate material doped with yttrium (BCZY), the electrolyte having a conical shape;
• wherein
• i. the conical shape has an exterior side covered with a platinum SE (sensor electrode) and
• ii. the conical shape has an interior side covered with a platinum RE (reference electrode);
• and
• b) a reaction chamber, the reaction chamber including,
• i. one or more inlet conduits for transporting starting materials into the reaction chamber, the starting materials including aluminum and water;
• ii. one or more outlet conduits for transporting an end product out of the reaction chamber, the end product including hydrogen;
• and
• iii. a port for accepting the hydrogen sensor;
• and
• c) an inlet conduit carrying a reference gas to the interior side of the conical shape, causing the reference gas to come in contact with the platinum RE;
• wherein,
• i. the hydrogen sensor being inserted into a port of the system with the platinum SE being oriented to face gas from the reaction chamber so that a ratio of a hydrogen partial pressure of the gas from the reaction chamber and a hydrogen partial pressure of the reference gas generates a voltage drop between the platinum SE and the platinum RE;
• and
• ii. the platinum SE and the platinum RE being in electrical contact with an output.