Method for detecting the fouling of a membrane covered electrochemical cell

摘要

In a polarographic cell of the type which avoids depletion of the species being measured in the sample, the fouling of the membrane covering of the cell is detected by utilizing an electrode which can be substituted for that electrode from which the species being measured is electrochemically generated. That electrode is spaced remotely from the closely spaced anode and cathode so that when it is substituted depletion of the species being measured occurs outside the membrane. By comparing the current output from the cell when it is operating in its normal mode with the output when it is operating with the substitute electrode, as by dividing one value by the other, the degree of fouling of the membrane covering the cell is determined.