Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Hydrogen – per se
Reexamination Certificate
2008-04-29
2008-04-29
Gakh, Yelena G. (Department: 1797)
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Hydrogen, per se
C436S113000, C436S148000, C436S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07364912
ABSTRACT:
Gas flow is controlled to a feed gas consuming device depending on whether a contaminant gas is present. In one embodiment, hydrogen gas flow from a hydrogen gas generator to a hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, gas chromatograph or a flame ionization detector, is terminated when there is chemical contaminant breakthrough in the hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus relates to the use of a sensor for detecting a predetermined concentration of a chemical contaminant such as ammonia. In one embodiment the apparatus terminates the gas flow when a concentration of ammonia in the gas flow corresponds to a breakthrough (e.g., approximately in the range of 2.0% or greater). The apparatus prevents the ammonia-contaminated hydrogen from disabling such a hydrogen consuming device that would have otherwise received the contaminated gas flow. The apparatus terminates such a hydrogen contaminated gas flow by exposing a breakthrough detection material to the gas flow, wherein this material is substantially only reactive to concentrations of a predetermined contaminant (e.g., ammonia) for terminating the gas flow when such concentrations are indicative of a breakthrough of the contaminant. For instance, such a material may undergo a readily discernible change when in the presence of at least a predetermined concentration of the contaminant corresponding to a breakthrough. Such a discernible change in the breakthrough detection material may be, e.g., one or more of: a change in volume, density, opacity, color and/or electrical conductivity or potential. The detection material may be used in series with other substances that chemically and physically capture impurities in the gas flow until the detection material reacts, stopping the flow of hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device.
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Lynch Franklin Earl
Schmidt Jeffrey A.
Wilkes John S.
AFMCLO/JAZ
Gakh Yelena G.
Sinder Fredric L.
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