Zirconia is a reliable oxygen sensing technology capable of providing measurements at parts-per-million (ppm) and percentage levels. Trusted by industries around the world, it is an essential component of our SERVOTOUGH FluegasExact 2700 analyzer, which monitors O₂ levels in in-situ combustion processes.
The Servomex Zirconia sensor consists of a cell made of ceramic zirconium oxide, stabilized with an oxide of yttrium to form a lattice structure.
The measure and reference sections of the cell are covered with catalytic, porous, electrically conductive coatings that serve as electrodes on both sides of the lattice barrier between sample and reference gas volumes.
At elevated temperatures, the lattice permits the passage of negatively charged oxygen ions, formed at the catalytic electrodes at a rate determined by temperature and the difference in the O₂ partial pressures of the sample gas and the reference gas.
The passage of the ions produces a voltage across the electrodes – the magnitude of this is a logarithmic function of the ratio of the O₂ partial pressures of the sample and reference gases.
Since the partial pressure of the reference gas is predetermined, the voltage produced by the cell indicates the O₂ content of the sample gas.
There are two variants of our sensor: a higher-temperature variant for percentage O₂ in flue gas, and a lower-temperature variant with modified catalytic electrode properties for parts-per-million (ppm) O₂ measurements in purity applications.
Our Zirconia sensor is paired with Calorimetry sensing to deliver an all-in-one combustion control solution. In some applications, Measurement errors may result if the sample contains hydrocarbons. Depending on the application, a Paramagnetic or TDL sensor may be recommended for the oxygen measurement instead.
Process heaters
Thermal crackers
Incinerators
Nitrogen purity
Utility boilers
Measures O₂ concentrations in ppm or up to 21%
Extractive sampling equipment is not required
Suitable for high-temperature measurements
Measuring O₂ in in-situ combustion processes, where the measuring probe can be directly installed into the flue for high-temperature combustion gas analysis, eliminating the need for extractive sampling equipment.
Learn more about all our gas analyzer solutions that use this sensor technology.
Designed to measure O2 and COe in flue gases for improved combustion efficiency and reduced emissions.
A high-performance multi-gas analyzer designed to provide up to four simultaneous gas stream measurements.
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