Novel Electrochemical Sensor For The Determination Of Hydrogen In Aluminium – From The Laboratory To The Shop Floor –From The Laboratory To The Shop Floor –

Abstract:

Novel Electrochemical Sensor for the Determination of Hydrogen in Aluminium– From the Laboratory to the Shop Floor –C. Schwandt, M.P. Hills, R.V. Kumar, D.J. FrayDepartment of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge,Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, United KingdomThe quantitative determination of the hydrogen concentration in gases, liquids and solids is a subject of huge scientific and technological interest. One application of particular relevance is in molten aluminium processing, where the hydrogen content needs to be monitored and controlled to ensure high-quality pore-free casts. Electrochemical sensors based on proton conducting solid electrolytes are ideally suited for this purpose, but their use in aluminium melts has thus far been hampered by insufficient materials performance as well as awkward probe design and operation.This presentation summarises the research and development work at the University of Cambridge in the field of solid state proton conductors that has led to the development of a novel, and now commercialised, electrochemical sensor for the quantitative determination of dissolved hydrogen in liquid aluminium and aluminium alloys. Topics addressed encompass the design and assembly of the sensor, as well as the selection of materials for the individual components, including the ceramic electrolyte, the metal-based hydrogen reference, and the glass seal of the reference. Also discussed are the validation of the sensor in the laboratory and its performance in field trials.

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