by What is a Gas Sensor?
A gas sensor is a device that detects and measures the concentration of gases in an air sample. They are used in a variety of industrial, medical, automotive, and domestic applications to detect and monitor hazardous or flammable gases. The most common types of sensor measure concentrations of combustible, toxic and inflammable gases.
There are several different types based on the operating principle used for gas detection. The main types include:
Electrochemical sensor These work on the principle of an electrochemical reaction between the target gas and an electrolyte. The reaction produces a current or voltage proportional to the Gas Sensor concentration. Electrochemical sensor can detect many common gases like carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide etc.
Semiconductor gas sensor: Also known as solid-state gas sensor, these utilize the change in electrical conductivity of a semiconductor material when exposed to different gases. Common materials used are metal oxides which show change in resistance on exposure to Gas Sensor. Semiconductor sensor can detect combustible, reducing and oxidizing gases.
Infrared gas sensor: Using infrared absorption spectroscopy, these sensor detect and quantify gases that absorb specific infrared wavelengths. They provide very high sensitivity and selectivity for gases like carbon dioxide.
Catalytic combustion sensor: These work on the principle that most combustible gases can be oxidized over a catalyst surface at lower temperatures compared to normal flame combustion. The heat produced is detected by a thermocouple or thermopile to indicate gas concentration.
Applications
Gas sensor have a wide range of applications due to their ability to detect hazardous or flammable gases. Some major application areas include:
Industrial safety: Gas Sensor are used for workplace monitoring and leak detection of toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, chlorine etc. in chemical plants, oil & gas refineries, waste treatment plants.
Home safety: Domestic gas leak detectors protect homes and prevent fires or explosions from natural gas, LPG or carbon monoxide leaks in furnaces, heaters, ovens etc.
Automotive: Oxygen and air-fuel ratio sensor monitor exhaust emissions and optimize fuel-mixing ratios in vehicles. LPG and CNG leak detectors enhance safety in alternative fuel vehicles.
Environmental monitoring: They deployed in networks monitor air quality by detecting pollutants like smog, ozone and methane. This helps comply with emission standards.
Medical applications: Anesthetic gas monitors used in operating rooms ensure patient safety during surgery. Breath analysers detect alcohol levels and diagnose medical conditions.
Agriculture: Greenhouse gas monitoring and leak detection equipment manage atmospheres for plant growth and prevent waste of resources like CO2.
Advancements in nanotechnology, micromachining and material science are enabling the development of more sensitive, selective and durable gas sensor. Miniaturized sensor arrays with pattern recognition capabilities hold promise for identification of complex multi-component gas mixtures. Wireless sensor networks coupled with IoT and cloud computing will drive greater automation in industrial safety, environmental monitoring and smart city infrastructures. Gas sensor will continue playing an important role in enabling applications that ensure public safety, optimize processes and preserve our environment.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
