High Temperature Sensors for Process Control and Emissions Monitoring

Energy, petrochemical and manufacturing companies face the dual and often competing pressures to reduce their costs while simultaneously reducing emissions of dangerous pollutants. Although over $1B/year of smart sensors that combine sophisticated measurements (noses) with integrated electronics (brains) are already purchased, there is not yet a sensor that meets all of the requirements for detecting the gas pollutants produced by combustion and other fuel conversion in the transportation, energy and manufacturing sectors.

BMS has developed a smart sensor for detecting important pollutant gases that can function in the harsh conditions found in engines, furnaces and smokestacks. In particular, the our high-temperature MEMS sensors have the robustness for high temperature operation (>500C), speed (sub-second response times), and selectivity so that they can be used not just to monitor emissions, but to actively control the fuel combustion/conversion process for improved efficiency and emission reduction.

Examples include:

* Coal gasification, or clean coal, requires active control and thus monitoring of the ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, as well as the monitoring of contaminants including H2S and HCl. BMS sensors have the speed and performance necessary for real-time monitoring and adjustments of operating conditions.

* Traditional coal-fired power plants are one of the largest sources of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions - in the US alone six hundred coal-fired power plants produce ~50% of consumed electricity yet produce nearly 90% of utility-related NOx emissions. Current NOx detection systems are expensive and have difficulties reliably detecting lower concentrations. Improved detection systems will be an important part of implementing a cap and trade or carbon tax plan for global emissions reduction.