Teledyne 3300TB Operational Theory Introduction, Micro-Fuel Cell Sensor, Principles of Operation

Trace Oxygen Analyzer Operational Theory 2

Operational Theory

2.1Introduction

The analyzer is composed of two subsystems:

1.Analysis Unit with Micro-Fuel Cell Sensor

2.Control Unit with Signal Processing, Display and Controls

The Analysis Unit is designed to accept the sample gas and direct it to the sensitive surface of the Micro-Fuel Cell sensor. The Micro-Fuel Cell is an electrochemical galvanic device that translates the amount of oxygen present in the sample into an electrical current.

The Control Unit processes the sensor output and translates it into electrical concentration, range, and alarm outputs, and a percent oxygen meter readout. It contains a microcontroller that manages all signal processing, input/output, and display functions for the analyzer.

2.2Micro-Fuel Cell Sensor

2.2.1 Principles of Operation

The oxygen sensor used in the Model 3300TB is a Micro-Fuel Cell de- signed and manufactured by TAI. It is a sealed, disposable electrochemical transducer.

The active components of the Micro-Fuel Cell are a cathode, an anode, and the aqueous KOH electrolyte in which they are immersed. The cell converts the energy from a chemical reaction into an electrical potential that can produce a current in an external electrical circuit. Its action is similar to that of a battery.

There is, however, an important difference in the operation of a battery as compared to the Micro-Fuel Cell: In the battery, all reactants are stored within the cell, whereas in the Micro-Fuel Cell, one of the reactants (oxygen) comes from outside the device as a constituent of the sample gas being analyzed. The

Teledyne Analytical Instruments 2-1