Electrochemical cell for use as oxygen sensor - uses an alkaline medium with opposite reactions to ensure cell-conditions remain constant

摘要

The oxygen sensor, based on an electrochemical cell with 2,3 or more electrodes, and pref. a water based electrolyte, features oxygen reduction at the measurement electrode which passes the ions into solution and oxidation of ions to oxygen which is passed out of the cell. The measurement electrode pref. consists of Pt, Au, Ag or other nobel metal or noble metal alloys or of Cd/Cd-oxide, Ag/Ag-oxide, Hg/Hg-oxide, Ni-oxide, Mn-oxide (both at a defined discharge level) or Pb/Pb-oxide. Both the counter electrode and the reference electrode may also consist of any of these constituents. The cell has a filler opening allowing electrolyte to be added. The oxygen pumping action pref. is carried out using up electrolyte. Also claimed is the use of a solid electrolyte, an organic or water-free electrolyte. USE/ADVANTAGE - The cell does not degrade due to contamination with reaction productsm as current sensors do. The reactions which govern its operationm are equations (1) and (2). Adjustment of the electrode potential occurs using a poten and l or m, more reference electrodes.