Membrane Covered Probes for O₂ and H₂ Determination - Diffusion through Liquid Films and Solid Membrane in Practice

Abstract:

In the era of the expansion of hydrogen use, its concentration measurement becomes more important. We further focus on one of the H₂ concentration measurement purposes, where the hydrogen diffusion in a solid membrane and in a liquid electrolyte play the key role. To keep optimal process conditions in the primary cooling circuit of nuclear power plants, various chemical species are dosed in. Among the species the concentration of which is monitored in primary coolant, belong oxygen and hydrogen. While plenty of companies offer oxygen sensors suitable for the measurement in the primary coolant, the hydrogen sensor, really selective to H₂ concentration, is offered by only one company. It is worth, therefore, accomplishing the development of a hydrogen sensor, which began at UCT Prague in the 1990's and, after several successful measurements in nuclear power plant, interrupted due to fateful events in the research team. We introduce here the results of the first part of contemporary work of the Mass Transfer Laboratory based on new technologies but using the experience from 1990's. Having at disposal modern functional samples to measure both oxygen and hydrogen concentrations, we verified a fair long-term stability of the sensors and, further, we would like to cooperate with an industrial partner to finalize the development of prototypes and start the production of monitoring units.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 413)
• Pages: 98-105
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/DDF.413.98
• Online since: December 2021
• Authors: Tomas Moucha*, Václav Linek, Adam Bouřa, Tomáš Kracík
• Keywords: Hydrogen Concentration, Nuclear Reactor Coolant, Polarographic Sensor, Solid Membrane Diffusion

References

[1] V. Linek, V. Vacek, J. Sinkule, P. Benes, Measurement of Oxygen by Membrane-Covered Probes, Ellis Horwood, (1988).

DOI: 10.1016/0039-9140(90)80241-7

[2] L.C. Clark, Monitor and Controll of Blood and Tissue Oxygen Tension, Trans Amer Soc Art Int Organs 2 (1956) 41.

[3] L. Labik, T. Moucha, R. Petricek, F.J. Rejl, L.Valenz, J. Haidl, Volumetric mass transfer coefficient in viscous liquid in mechanically agitated fermenters. Measurement and correlation, Chem Eng Sci 170 (2017) 451-463.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2017.04.006

[4] R. Petříček, T. Moucha,  F.J. Rejl, L. Valenz, J. Haidl, Volumetric mass transfer coefficient in the fermenter agitated by Rushton turbines of various diameters in viscous batch, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 115 (2017) 856-866.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2017.07.112

[5] D.J.G. Ives, G. J. Janz, Reference Electrodes. Theory and Practice, Academic Press New York and London, (1961).