Optimizing zirconia-based solid electrolyte cell operated as oxidizing reactor and chromatographic sensor

A zirconia-based (0.9ZrO2 · 0.1Y2O3) high-temperature electrochemical reactor with three-electrode connection circuit was shown promising if used as a chromatographic sensor for quantitative organic gas detection as well as an organic gas sample preparation device for carbon isotopic analysis. The optimized parameters and working mode of the herein proposed solid electrolyte reactor provided complete organic gas oxidation to stoichiometric oxides without oxygen addition to the carrier gas flow at the temperature of 900 to 950°C. The maximum hydrocarbon gas sample amount was calculated for complete oxidation in the designed reactor. Due to its simple and reliable design, the solid electrolyte reactor can be used instead of a standard oxidizing reactor in an isotopic mass spectrometer.