Sulfur Resistant Oxygen Sensors for Industrial Boiler Control

摘要

We have developed a new type of potentiometric zirconia oxygen sensor that uses a terbia-substituted yttria stabilized zirconia (Tb-YSZ) mixed electronic/ionic-conducting metal oxide in place of platinum as the sense/working electrode. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that this material exhibits intrinsic thermodynamic stability against sulfur chemical attack. We report lifetime testing and performance data taken from test sensors placed in industrial boilers of paper processing plants. Typical sulfur concentrations in this environment were on the order of 10-20percent SO_x. To date, test sensors have been operating continuously in excess of 12 months with less than a 5percent change in level output or increase in cell resistance.