Detection of low level carbon monoxide in hydrogen-rich gas streams

Sensors that detect low levels of carbon monoxide in a gas stream consisting mainly of hydrogen are considered an enabling technology for reformation-based fuel cell power sources. Carbon monoxide in concentrations as low as 50 ppm can rapidly poison the catalysts used in such systems for the dissociation of hydrogen. This paper describes the development of a sensor capable of detecting carbon monoxide (CO) at concentrations of 50 ppm and above within 2.5 s. The sensor is fully compatible with the operating environment of a fuel cell, and is not affected by the intrinsically high concentration of hydrogen, water, or carbon dioxide present in reformate streams. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.