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  4. Design of a LED-based sensor for monitoring the lower explosion limit of methane
 
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2017
Journal Article
Title

Design of a LED-based sensor for monitoring the lower explosion limit of methane

Abstract
Here we present the development of a gas sensor system for the monitoring of the lower explosion limit (LEL) of methane. A mid-infrared light emitting diode (LED) with central emission wavelength of 3.4mm is used as light source to probe the n3 rovibrational absorption band of methane. To gauge the light intensity, photoacoustic detectors consisting of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone and pure methane gas inside a hermetically sealed miniature cell are employed. In order to provide means for compensating fluctuations of the LED intensity, we use two equal detectors at two different optical path lengths from the light source. The sensor has been characterized in our laboratory and the results show a limit of detection of about 2,500ppm at an optical path length of 12mm. No cross-sensitivities to humidity have been detected. The concept can be adapted to other gases with absorption bands in the infrared spectrum.
Author(s)
Wittstock, Valentin
Univ. Freiburg
Scholz, Louisa
Univ. Freiburg
Bierer, Benedikt  
Univ. Freiburg
Ortiz Perez, Alvaro
Univ. Freiburg
Wöllenstein, Jürgen  
Fraunhofer-Institut für Physikalische Messtechnik IPM  
Palzer, Stefan
Univ. Freiburg
Journal
Sensors and Actuators. B  
Funder
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technolgie BMWi (Deutschland)  
DOI
10.1016/j.snb.2017.03.086
Language
English
Fraunhofer-Institut für Physikalische Messtechnik IPM  
Keyword(s)
  • Mid-IR LED

  • methane detection

  • Photoacoustic Detector

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