A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR PERMEATION HYDROGEN MEASUREMENTS

摘要

A method and a device for measuring a content of hydrogen absorbed by a metal workpiece by permeation in the form of hydrogen atoms are described. The device includes a probe with a mixing chamber accessible to an amount of hydrogen emanating from the workpiece, and communicating with an inlet port of a measurement gas. The device further includes a solid-state hydrogen concentration sensor pneumatically connected with the mixing chamber, a gas transfer means for forming a flow of a measurement gas from the inlet port to the sensor, and a processor means for processing a concentration signal of the sensor and for producing a parameter related to the interaction between the metal workpiece and the absorbed hydrogen.

主权项

1. A device (10,20,30,50,60,65,70) for measuring a content of hydrogen absorbed by permeation in a workpiece (8,21,85,86,87,91,93,69,94) in the form of hydrogen atoms, in order to characterize an interaction between said workpiece and said content of absorbed hydrogen that can weaken said workpiece or cause an embrittlement of said workpiece, said device comprising:
a probe (7,21,38,51,61,66,71) comprising:
a collection element (29) configured for associated with said workpiece (8,21,85,86,87,91,93,69,94) and for receiving an amount of absorbed hydrogen emanating from said workpiece;an inlet port (27) for a measurement gas (26), in particular for environmental air;a mixing chamber (7′,25,38′,51′,62,72) arranged to pneumatically communicate with said inlet port (27), and with said collection element (29) configured for mixing said measurement gas with said amount of hydrogen emanating from said workpiece, such that a gaseous mixture is formed (24) in which said amount (13) of emanating hydrogen is changed from said atomic form into a molecular form; a solid-state sensor (15) arranged to measure a hydrogen concentration (F) in said gaseous mixture (24), said solid-state sensor (15) pneumatically connected with said mixing chamber (7′,25,38′,62,72), so as to come into contact with said gaseous mixture (24), said solid-state sensor (15) configured to generate a measurement signal (19) responsive to said hydrogen concentration (F) of said gaseous mixture (24); a gas transfer means (14) arranged for creating a flux (φ) of said measurement gas (26) from said inlet port (27) through said mixing chamber (7′,25,38′,62,72) towards said solid-state sensor (15), at a predetermined flowrate (W), said flow arranged to assist said gaseous mixture (24) to form within said mixing chamber (7′,25,38′,51′,62,72) and to come into contact with said solid-state sensor (15); a processor means (16) connected to said solid-state sensor (15), so as to receive said measurement signal (19), said processor means (16) comprising a program means configured for processing said measurement signal (19) and for calculating at least one parameter (17) related to said interaction between said workpiece (8,21,86,87,91,93,69,94) and said absorbed hydrogen.