Abstract A method of measuring a combustible component in a liquid or gas employs a gas having a high oxygen content, instead of air or an inert gas, as the carrier gas to thereby improve drastically the scope and accuracy of measurement by a semicondutor gas sensor. The carrier gas having a high oxygen content is supplied into a combustible component sampler formed from a gas-permeable membrane and disposed in the liquid or gas to be tested so that the combustible component may be diffused into the carrier gas through the gas-permeable membrane. The carrier gas entraining the combustible component therein is introduced into a detector having a semiconductor gas sensor, in which the combustible component is detected, and its concentration is determined continuously or intermittently.
A method for measuring the concentration of a combustible component in a liquid or gas phase comprises the steps of: mixing a combustible component in a liquid or gas phase with a carrier gas containing at least 50% of oxygen in gaseous form, and introducing said carrier gas into a detector having a semiconductor gas sensor, whereby said component is detected, and its concentration is determined continuously or intermittently.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for measuring the concentration of a combustible component in a liquid or gas phase comprises the steps of: mixing a combustible component in a liquid or gas phase with a carrier gas containing at least 50% of oxygen in gaseous form, and introducing said carrier gas into a detector having a semiconductor gas sensor, whereby said component is detected, and its concentration is determined continuously or intermittently.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier gas contains at least 99% of oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier gas is supplied into a combustible component sampler formed from a gas-permeable membrane and disposed in said liquid or gas phase to entrain said combustible component diffused therinto through said membrane, before said carrier gas is introduced into said detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said sampler comprises a porous tetrafluoroethylene tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said carrier gas is supplied into said sampler at a superficial velocity of 4 to 50 cm/sec.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said sensor is made of a semiconductor consisting mainly of SnO 2 .