Method and sensing device for measuring predetermined gas component in

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and a sensing device capable of measuring a predetermined measurement gas component continuously and accurately with good response over a long period of time without being affected by a high oxygen concentration in a measurement gas. The measurement gas is introduced into a first processing zone. A first electrochemical pumping cell is used to lower a partial pressure of oxygen in an atmosphere thereof to a degree sufficient to control a partial pressure of oxygen in a subsequent second processing zone. The gas is introduced into the second processing zone. Oxygen in an atmosphere is pumped out by using a second electrochemical pumping cell so that the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere is controlled to have a low value of partial pressure of oxygen which does not substantially affect measurement of an amount of the measurement gas component. The gas is introduced into a third processing zone. Oxygen produced by reducing or decomposing the measurement gas component is pumped out by using a third electrochemical pumping cell. The amount of the measurement gas component is determined from a detected value of a pumping current flowing through the third electrochemical pumping cell. The amount of the measurement gas component may be also determined by measuring an electromotive force by using an electrochemical sensor cell, in place of the third electrochemical pumping cell.