Patent ID: 6514394
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An electrochemical sensor to measure the activity of a metallic component in a melt comprising:a) a measuring electrode comprising the melt; b) a reference electrode comprising i) the metallic component whose activity is to be measured, ii) an external connection comprising an electrically conducting wire held in an electrically isolating material which is substantially chemically inert to the melt and the reference electrode, and has a gas tight seal above the surface of the melt, and iii) a high-temperature-cement, wherein the reference electrode is sealed from the air by the melt, the high temperature-cement, the gas tight sealing of the external connection above the melt, and by melting the reference electrode inside the porous support; and c) a liquid ion-conducting halide that separates the measuring electrode and the reference electrode, wherein the liquid ion-conducting halide comprises the metallic component to be measured; and d) a non-conducting porous support that immobilizes the liquid ion-conducting halide, wherein said porous support is fabricated from a material that is substantially chemically inert to the melt, the halide, and the reference electrode.