Analysis on thermal balance and design principles of catalytic combustion gas sensor

Catalytic combustion gas sensor is influenced by many factors, this paper analyzes theoretically output characteristics, which is helpful for designing and performance evaluation of gas sensor. It bases on sensitivity principles of catalytic combustion gas sensor, deduces the quantitative relation between output and temperature change of sensitive element, and discusses behavioral characteristics of detecting under constant voltage source or constant current source. Furthermore, taking catalytic combustion gas sensor as an example, it elites the relation among output and the dimensions of sensitive element and detected gas consistence and sensor working temperature. According to the typical structure of catalytic combustion methane sensor, it qualitatively and quantificationally analyzes the process of thermal balance and thermal exchange, this paper concludes the common principles for designing catalytic combustion gas sensor from this process of deduction.