Method for detecting combustible gases, in particular hydrogen

摘要

In a method for monitoring combustible gases (I) utilizing evaluation signals from a gas-sensitive semiconductor sensor (GS), (GS) is heated to predetermined temperature above ambient temperature using a temperature-sensitive heater, while simultaneously obtaining signals from (GS) and a thermal conductivity sensor (TCS); and processing the two signals in a common evaluation unit, where the (GS) sensor provides selectivity and zero-point signals for (TCS) and the two signals indicate the presence and/or concentration of (I). An independent claim is included for apparatus for the process, including (GS) and (TCS), where: (GS) consists of a chip (1) carrying a hydrogen-sensitive metal oxide semiconductor layer, heater(s) and an internal temperature sensor; (TCS) consists of the chip (1) and external temperature sensor(s) (2); and a heat bridge (B) of metallic conductor is provided between a heating resistance arranged in the chip and the external temperature sensor.