Early exploration stage
Animal warning: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, coal miners brought canaries into mines and used canaries' sensitivity to harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and methane to detect gas leaks. Miners know dangerous gases are present when canaries react abnormally, stop singing or die.
Flame safety lamp: In 1815, British Sir Humphrey Davy invented the flame safety lamp. This lamp detects the presence of flammable gases such as methane by observing how the flame changes in different gas environments. Miners can judge the surrounding gas conditions based on the height of the flame. A higher flame may indicate the presence of methane, while a lower or extinguished flame may indicate a lack of oxygen.
The beginning of modern technology
Catalytic combustion sensor: In the 1920s, Dr. Oliver Johnson developed the catalytic combustion sensor, marking the beginning of the modern gas detection era. This sensor detects mixtures of flammable elements in the air and prevents explosions in fuel storage tanks;
Portable and fixed gas detection monitors: The first portable gas detection monitor appeared, using an analysis valve to measure the amount of methane in the atmosphere, and realizing methane detection through a catalytic diffusion sensor
Fixed point gas detector
Portable gas detector
Technological Development and Diversification
Electrochemical gas sensor: Mr. Taguchi began research in 1962 and developed the world's first semiconductor device that successfully used simple electronic circuits to detect low-concentration flammable and reducing gases. Electrochemical gas sensors measure gas concentration by measuring the current generated by the oxidation or reduction of the target gas at the electrode. It has the advantages of small size, fast detection speed, accuracy, and portability. It can be used to detect a variety of flammable, toxic and harmful gases.
Photoionization detector: Uses high-energy ultraviolet light to irradiate gas molecules to ionize them to generate electric current to detect gas concentration. It can detect a variety of volatile organic compounds and has high sensitivity for low-concentration gas detection.
Infrared gas sensor: Detects gas concentration based on the absorption characteristics of different gases to specific wavelengths of infrared light. It can be used to detect carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other gases. It has the advantages of high accuracy, good stability, and strong anti-interference ability.
