GAS SENSOR OPERATING PROCESS Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: monitoring methane concentration in atmosphere. SUBSTANCE: gas sensors are recommended for use at temperatures ranging between 700 and 850 C. Within this temperature range, semiconducting metal oxides such as Ga₂O₃ easily respond to methane and no essential crosswise response to other reducing gases such as hydrogen or carbon oxide was noted. High water vapor content of atmosphere does not influence conductivity of these metal oxides within mentioned temperature range either. Therefore, Ga₂O₃, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, ClO₃, SrTiO₃, Nb₂O₃ or HfO₂ base sensors may be used as methane detectors. EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities of known metal-oxide base gas lasers. 3 cl, 1 dwg