University of Kansas

Piers R Warburton

Daryle Hadley Busch

An electrochemical carbon monoxide detecting method and apparatus (10, 46) is disclosed which can detect carbon monoxide levels as low as about 500 ppm and which has excellent selectivity and a linear response over a broad range of carbon monoxide concentrations. The apparatus (10, 46) employs an electrical cell assembly (12, 54) having an electrolyte (20, 60) containing hydrated Cu(II) ions therein; upon creation of a constant magnitude potential difference between the cell electrodes (22, 24) ranging from about +0.03-+0.15 V, the Cu(II) ions are reduced to Cu(I) ions, and the latter react with carbon monoxide to form Cu(I)-carbonyl complexes. Detection of an electrical parameter indicative of the Cu(II)-Cu(I) reduction permits quantitative carbon monoxide determinations. Preferably, the detecting apparatus (14) is amperometric, employing a potentiostat (28) and output device (38). Alternately, detection can be accomplished potentiometrically.

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Lawrence, KS, United States of America

Piers R Warburton