Electrochemical O2 Sensors: Background Gas Compatibility
Southland Sensing Ltd. Oxygen sensors are based on the electrochemical galvanic micro-fuel cell measurement principle. This makes them suitable for the measurement of O2 in a variety of gases from percentage levels to trace oxygen (PPM or PPB). This flexibility and dynamic range of operation open’s up a wide range of potential applications for our products. It is important to check the suitability of the sensor against the other components in the gas stream it will be used in. This is a brief list of our experience, if you don’t see your gas listed, inquiry with our technical team for added feedback.
This table is designed to help you select the right oxygen sensor for your needs:
| Chemical Name | Formula | TO2-1 / PO2-1 SERIES | TO2-2 / PO2-2 SERIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid (vapor) | CH3COOH | Not Suitable | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Acetone (vapor) | (CH3)2CO | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Acetonitrile | C2H3N | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Acetylene | C2H2 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Acrylonitrile | C3H3N | Suitable | Suitable |
| Air | N2+O2+Ar | Suitable | Suitable |
| Ammonia | NH3 | Limited use 2-3 hrs daily; flush with N2 | Not Suitable |
| Argon | Ar | Suitable | Suitable |
| Arsine | AsH3 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Bromine | Br | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Butadiene (shorter Life) | C4H6 | Limited life 3-4 months | Not Suitable |
| Butene | C4H8 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Butane | C4H10 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Carbon Dioxide | CO2 | Suitable < 5000 PPM CO2 | Suitable |
| Carbon Disulfide | CS2 | Suitable < 1000 PPM CS2 | Suitable |
| Carbon Monoxide | CO | Suitable | Suitable |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | CCl4 | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Chlorinated Hydrocarbons | C+H+Cl | Suitable | Suitable |
| Chlorine | Cl2 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Chloro-fluorocarbons | H+F+Cl+C | Suitable | Suitable |
| Cyclopentane | C5H10 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Diborane | B2H6 | Suitable; remove B2H6 > 15 PPM | Suitable; remove B2H6 > 15 PPM |
| Dimethyl Ether (vapors) | C2H6O | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Ethane | C2H6 | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Ethyl Acetate | C4H8O2 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Ethylene | C2H4 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Fluorine | F2 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Formaldehyde (vapors) | CH2O | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Helium | He | Suitable | Suitable |
| Heptanes | C7H16 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Hexanes (shorter Life) | C6H14 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Hydrocarbons | H+C | Suitable | Suitable |
| Hydrochloric Acid (vapors) | HCl | Not Suitable | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Hydrogen | H2 | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Hydrogen Cyanide | HCN | Suitable | Suitable |
| Hydrogen Fluoride | HF | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | H2S | Suitable; remove H2S > 15 PPM | Suitable; remove H2S > 15 PPM |
| Iodine | I | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Isopropyl Acetate | C5H10O2 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) | C6H8O | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Methane | CH4 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Krypton | Kr | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Ethanol EtOH (vapors) | CH3OH | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Methanol MeOH (vapors) | CH4O | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Methyl Iodide (vapors) | CH3I | Suitable; requires filter, condenses at room temp | Suitable; requires filter, condenses at room temp |
| Methyl Mercaptan (vapors, shorter life) | CH4S | Suitable, Remove CH4S > 15 PPM | Suitable, Remove CH4S > 15 PPM |
| Methyl Propenoate (acrylate) | C4H6O2 | Not Suitable | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| MTBE (vapors) | C5H12O | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Neon | Ne | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Nitric Oxide | NO | Low PPM NO concentrations only | PPM NO concentrations only |
| Nitrogen | N2 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Nitrogen Dioxide | NO2 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Nitrous Oxide | N2O | Low PPM NO concentrations only | Low PPM NO concentrations only |
| NOx | NO, NO2 | Low PPM NOX concentrations only | Low PPM NOX concentrations only |
| Octafluorocyclobutane | C4F8 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Ozone | O3 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Pentane (vapors) | C5H12 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Phosgene | COCl2 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Phosphine | PH3 | Suitable; Remove PH3 > 15 PPM | Suitable; Remove PH3 > 15 PPM |
| Propane | C3H8 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Propylene Aldehyde (vapors) | C3H4O | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Propionic Acid (vapors) | C3H6O2 | Not Suitable | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Propylene | C3H6 | Suitable | Suitable |
| R142b | C2H3F2Cl | Suitable | Suitable |
| R152a | C2H4F2 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Radon | Rn | Suitable | Suitable |
| Silane | SiH4 | Not Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Styrene | C8H8 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Sufuric Acid (vapors) | H2SO4 | Not Suitable | Suitable; remove H2SO4 > 15 PPM |
| Sulfur Dioxide | SO2 | Low PPM SO2 concentrations only | Low PPM SO2 concentrations only |
| Sulfur Hexafluoride (limits life) | SF6 | Suitable | Suitable |
| Tetrafluoroethylene (vapors) | C2F4 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Tetrafluoromethane (vapors) | CF4 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Tetrahydrofurane (vapors) | C4H8O | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Toluene (vapors) | C7H8 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Trimethylaluminum (vapors) | (CH3)6A12 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Terpene (vapors, limits life) | (C5H8)n | Remove low concentrations; otherwise Not Recommended | Remove low concentrations; otherwise Not Recommended |
| Vinyl Acetate (vapors) | C4H6O2 | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. | Suitable, Liquid Filter Suggested. |
| Vinyl Chloride (vapors) | C2H3Cl | Suitable | Suitable |
| Xenon | Xe | Suitable | Not Suitable |
| Xylene | C8H10 | Suitable | Suitable |