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Compact QEPAS sensor for trace methane and ammonia detection in impure hydrogen

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Abstract

A compact two-gas sensor based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) was developed for trace methane and ammonia quantification in impure hydrogen. The sensor is equipped with a micro-resonator to confine the sound wave and enhance QEPAS signal. The normalized noise-equivalent absorption coefficients (1σ) of 2.45×10−8 cm−1 W/\(\sqrt{}\)Hz and 9.1×10−9 cm−1 W/\(\sqrt{}\)Hz for CH4 detection at 200 Torr and NH3 detection at 50 Torr were demonstrated with the QEPAS sensor configuration, respectively. The influence of water vapor on the CH4 channel was also investigated.

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Acknowledgements

The Rice University group acknowledges financial support from a National Science Foundation ERC MIRTHE award and a Grant C-0586 from the Welch Foundation. Significant funding was also provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Readiness Campaign (NA-123).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77005, USA

    L. Dong & F. K. Tittel

  2. Hydrogen Technology Research Laboratory, Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29808, USA

    J. Wright, B. Peters, B. A. Ferguson & S. McWhorter

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  1. L. Dong
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  2. J. Wright
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  3. B. Peters
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  4. B. A. Ferguson
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Correspondence to F. K. Tittel.

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Dong, L., Wright, J., Peters, B. et al. Compact QEPAS sensor for trace methane and ammonia detection in impure hydrogen. Appl. Phys. B 107, 459–467 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-012-4908-x

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