Apparatus and method for measuring the composition of gases using ionically conducting electrolytes
OwnerDerek John Fray, Ramachandran Vasant Kumarinventors
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Abstract
The subject method and apparatus pertains to the accurate determination of a composition of gases, over a very wide range of compositions. The subject invention can utilize an ionic electrolyte (1), which separates gases of different compositions, a source of potential difference (2) which is applied across the ionic electrolyte, means for reversing the current, and means (3) for measuring the respective currents. The ratio of currents is a function of the ratio of the gas compositions on opposite sides of the electrolyte. By varying the applied potential, the sensitivity of the apparatus can be increased.
Claims19
An apparatus for measuring the composition of a gas, comprising an electrolyte separating a gas from a known composition of gas;
- means for applying a potential difference across the electrolyte to generate a first current;
- means for reversing the potential difference across the electrolyte to generate a second current;
- means for measuring the first current associated with the potential difference across the electrolyte;
- means for measuring the second current associated with the reversed potential difference across the electrolyte;
- and means for determining the ratio of the first current and the second current.
A method for measuring the composition of a gas, comprising separating a gas from a known composition of gas with an electrolyte, applying a potential difference across the electrolyte to generate a first current measuring the first current associated with the potential difference across the electrolyte, reversing the potential difference across the electrolyte to generate a second current, measuring the second current associated with the reversed potential difference across the electrolyte, and determining the ratio of the first current and second current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.