Economical gas sensing is a 'first'

Published: 21-Jan-2004


Omron has launched a new supersensitive gas flow sensor based on proprietary MEMS technology. It is able to measure gas velocity and direction at extremely low flow rates, and is ideal for looking at low pressure medical gases, boiler emissions, and HVAC system airflow. As a result of its sensitivity, the new Omron D6F sensor allows the precise monitoring of the presence and circulation of gases in the environment in a way which was previously often uneconomic. It is suitable for measuring the amount of oxygen and nitrogen dioxide consumed from a respiratory apparatus in surgery. It can also be used to monitor levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen generated through incomplete combustion or the amount of flammable gas and air in order to achieve complete combustion for a hot water boiler. A further application is monitoring air circulation in a building and thus improving the performance and efficiency of air conditioning and building comfort systems. Capable of highly accurate measurements over a wider temperature range compared with conventional mass flow meters, the Omron D6F can detect gas flows of just 0.5cm/sec or less to an accuracy of +3% of full scale. It detects air, nitrogen, city gas and other non-corrosive gases. The extreme sensitivity is achieved with a tiny heating element, associated with temperature sensors, on both sides. The deviation in temperature measured by the two sensors is used to calculate the gas flow and direction, generating a non-linear analogue output in the range 1V to 5V.

T: +44(0)870 750 5661 ukcc_sales@eu.omron.com

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