Method and sensor device for measuring a carbon dioxide content in a fluid

摘要

An ATR sensor has a housing and sensor components in the housing including an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting a predefined wavelength range, a reflection body permeable for radiation and contactable with a fluid to be evaluated, and a detector for the reflected radiation as well as other members for conducting the measurement and for operation. The sensor is particularly suited for measuring a CO2 content of a fluid. Before sealing the housing in a gas-tight manner, in particular for avoiding a measurement value drift and for keeping the radiation paths free of CO2, a CO2 getter material is introduced into the housing and/or into a receiving space of an additional housing that communicates with the interior space of the housing before sealing the interior space and/or the receiving space.

主权项

1. A method of measuring a CO2 content in a fluid, the method which comprises:
providing an ATR sensor with a sensor housing defining an interior space and a plurality of sensor components disposed within the sensor housing, the sensor components including an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting in a predefined wavelength range, a reflection body permeable to radiation and contactable with the fluid to be evaluated, a detector for detecting reflected radiation, and additional elements for conducting the measurement and for operation; prior to sealing the sensor housing of the ATR sensor, introducing CO2 getter material into at least one element selected from the group consisting of the sensor housing and a receiving space of an additional housing communicating with the interior space of the sensor housing; and subsequently sealing at least one space selected from the group consisting of the interior space and the receiving space in a gas-tight manner; wherein the introducing step comprises introducing the CO2 getter material at least in an amount that can take up CO2 degassing from the sensor components and other components contained in the sensor housing or the additional housing over a period of time which corresponds at least to an expected service life of the ATR sensor or at least to a period until at least one housing selected from the group consisting of the sensor housing and the additional housing is opened for at least one purpose selected from the group consisting of required maintenance and adjustment purposes.