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Sensor array for fast explosion proof gas monitoring (SAFEGAS)

Obiettivo

Semiconducting oxide sensors (e.g. Tagushi-sensors) used for olfactory imaging at present are inherently too slow to provide instantaneous response required for real-time process monitoring and control in the industry. Besides they are prone to humidity effects limiting reproducibility. This is a compelling reason to look for alternatives. The targeted research for the development of an integrated microsensor array and adequate signal processing aims at the olfactory detection and compositional analysis of combustible gas mixtures even without the risk of explosion. Calorimetric catalytic sensors by principle do not suffer from humidity effects, which is the motivation for the selection of this principle for array construction dedicated to olfactory imaging in the proposal. The sensor structure will be utilised for monitoring and control of industrial processes, in environmental applications but also for maintenance of the safety at the workplace and at home. In this sense the socio-economic impact is rather large regarding the quality of life, the safety and working conditions. The consortium is an interdisciplinary team utilising proprietary know-how obtained at different European institutions. The industrial partner relays the market-demands even at this early stage of development in line with EU standards and is the potential end user of the results.
The primary objective of this consortium was the development of a new generation, small size, low power consumption gas transmitter for monitoring the concentration of combustible gases. As a result of the collective Safegas project work, a sophisticated porous silicon micromachined chip, several catalytic materials and other gas sensing hardware and software able to distinguish between 4 hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and C4H10) and be able to quantify compositional data for two hydrocarbon mixtures has been successfully developed. Hardware successfully developed: a read-out electronics unit (which feeds the sensors, and converts their output to a form suitable for long distance communication). Software developed: a teaching and data processing algorithm based on olfactory imaging. The built prototype accomplished the requirements expected from a prototype, and after a proper teaching process, it was able to distinguish the concentration of unknown gas mixtures. The following catalytic materials have been selected, which provide a sufficient sensitivity to the test gas mixtures containing propane, butane hexane, and methane: Ruthenium (Ru), Rhodium (Rh), Palladium (Pd), Platinum (Pt) Cobaldoxide (Co3O4), as well as the mixtures Ru/Pt, Pd/Co3O4, and Ru/Co3O4.

The catalytic materials are based on commercially available standard precursors: Ruthenium chloride (RuCl3), Rhodium chloride (RhCl3), Palladium II nitrate, Palladium II acetate, Cobalt nitrate (Co(NO3)2×6H2O), Hexachloroplatin acid (H2PtCl6). All catalytic precursors can be solved in several organic solvents in high concentration and hence allow a preparation from high viscous solutions. The sensor response of metallasilsesquioxanes containing Ti, V, Cu, Fe, or Zn as originally proposed catalyst was not sufficiently large. Alternative nanohotspot antifuse based gas sensors were fabricated as well. Two types of antifuse design were investigated and the technology was developed for the so called pillar shape device and the membrane device - the pillar shaped device operates at high voltage (~40-80 V) and low currents. The membrane device operates at less then 5 V and currents in the range of 0.1 - 1 mA. The membrane device is from an electronic point of view more compatible than the microhotplate device, but consumes more power (< 5 mWatt) than the pillar shaped device where 1000 C could be reached with 1 mWatt. Both devices however consume power far below the initially set goal of <30 mWatt. This makes these devices extremely suitable for battery operated equipment. The pillar shape device was tested without a proper catalyst and showed high response to ethanol and acetone vapours. No sensitivity to alkanes was observed. A Pt/Al2O3 based catalyst was developed using the spin-on technique. This catalyst was applied to the membrane antifuse devices and showed a good response to butane.

Invito a presentare proposte

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Meccanismo di finanziamento

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinatore

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK
Contributo UE
Nessun dato
Indirizzo
Lee Maltings, Prospect Row
CORK
Irlanda

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Costo totale
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Partecipanti (7)