Abstract:
Provided is a chalcogen gas monitoring device. The chalcogen gas monitoring device includes a reaction unit which varies in resistance due to reaction occurring by contact between chalcogen gas and a metal foil, a measurement unit measuring a resistance value according to the variation in resistance, a calculation unit measuring at least one of whether the chalcogen gas exists and a concentration of the chalcogen gas according to the resistance value, and a display unit outputting the measured results; wherein the metal foil is replaced according to results obtained by the reaction between the metal foil and the chalcogen gas.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0006791, filed on Jan. 20, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention disclosed herein relates to a monitoring device, and more particularly, to a chalcogen gas monitoring device for detecting whether a chalcogen gas exists. 
         [0003]    The chalcogen materials are elements belong to the group 16 in the periodic table. For example, the chalcogen materials include oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), polonium (Po), and so on. 
         [0004]    Chalcogen materials are combined with other elements to form compounds which are being widely used in the industrial fields. Here, for example, the chalcogen compounds include zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc sulfide (ZnS), zinc selenide (ZnSe), cadmium telluride (CdTe), CIGS (Cu(InGa)Se 2 ), indium trisulfide (In 2 S 3 ), and so on. As one of the methods of forming the chalcogen compounds, there is a method in which a chalcogen element is evaporated in a gaseous form to react with a precursor. Here, it may be determined whether the chalcogen gas exists, or the chalcogen gas may be measured in concentration while the process for forming the chalcogen compound is performed. Thus, the chalcogen compound may have high quality. 
         [0005]    For example, hydrocarbon fuel gas in a fuel cell contains sulfur (S) among the chalcogen materials, and the sulfur (S) leads to deterioration in performance of an anode and modified catalyst of the fuel cell. Therefore, it is necessary to detect and remove the sulfur (S) before the fuel gas is supplied. Also, since the chalcogen materials are highly toxic, there is a need to detect and block the leakage of the chalcogen materials in advance in the industrial site. 
         [0006]    A quartz crystal monitor may be used to monitor the gaseous chalcogen material. However, the chalcogen material, especially in case of sulfur (S), does not easily stick to the surface of a quartz crystal. 
         [0007]    Therefore, gas chromatography (GC) technologies are being used to monitor the concentration of the chalcogen materials. These gas chromatography technologies include a gas chromatography technology (GC-SCD or GC-FPD) related to sulfur chemiluminescence detection (SCD) or flame photometric detection (FPD). Although such a gas chromatography technology ensures superior monitoring performance of the chalcogen material, a large amount of costs is expended. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a chalcogen gas monitoring device that is reduced in cost for monitoring chalcogen gas in a state where good monitoring performance of the chalcogen gas is ensured. 
         [0009]    The present invention also provides a chalcogen gas monitoring device that is capable of determining whether chalcogen gas exists or monitoring a concentration of the chalcogen gas. 
         [0010]    Embodiments of the present invention provide chalcogen gas monitoring devices including a reaction unit which varies in resistance due to reaction occurring by contact between chalcogen gas and a metal foil; a measurement unit measuring a resistance value according to the variation in resistance; a calculation unit measuring at least one of whether the chalcogen gas exists and a concentration of the chalcogen gas according to the resistance value; and a display unit outputting the measured results; wherein the metal foil is replaced according to results obtained by the reaction between the metal foil and the chalcogen gas. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the chalcogen gas monitoring devices may further include an input unit receiving parameters for determining whether the chalcogen gas exists and measuring the concentration of the chalcogen gas according to a kind of metal foil to provide the parameters to the calculation unit. 
         [0012]    In other embodiments, the parameters may include a kind of metal foil and a kind of chalcogen gas, and a reduced concentration according to the resistance value. 
         [0013]    In still other embodiments, the measurement unit may output the measured resistance value to the display unit. 
         [0014]    In even other embodiments, the reaction unit may include two metal electrodes that are in contact with the metal foil to output the resistance value due to the reaction with the chalcogen gas to the measurement unit. 
         [0015]    In yet other embodiments, the metal electrodes may be formed of one of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chrome (Cr), gold (Au), silver (Ag), and molybdenum (Mo). 
         [0016]    In further embodiments, the reaction unit may further include: a support layer supporting the metal electrodes and the metal foil; and a cover protecting the metal foil, the metal electrodes, and the support layer, the cover having an opened portion to allow the metal foil to contact the chalcogen gas. 
         [0017]    In still further embodiments, the reaction unit may further include a metal detection sensor detecting at least one of electrical characteristics and chemical characteristics of the metal foil. 
         [0018]    In even further embodiments, the chalcogen gas monitoring devices may further include a metal foil determination unit determining a kind of metal foil by using information detected through the metal detection sensor. 
         [0019]    In yet further embodiments, the chalcogen gas monitoring devices may further include an input unit receiving parameters for determining whether the chalcogen gas exists and measuring the concentration of the chalcogen gas according to a kind of metal foil to provide the parameters to the calculation unit. 
         [0020]    In much further embodiments, the parameters may include a kind of chalcogen gas and a reduced concentration according to the resistance value. 
         [0021]    In still much further embodiments, the metal foil may be formed of one of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), and chrome (Cr). 
         [0022]    In even much further embodiments, the calculation unit may output information for instructing the replacement of the metal foil to the display unit when the resistance value does not exceed a preset value. 
         [0023]    In yet much further embodiments, the reaction unit may further include a color sensor for detecting a change in color of the metal foil due to the reaction with the chalcogen gas. 
         [0024]    In much still further embodiments, the measurement unit may measure the color change, the calculation unit measuring at least one of whether the chalcogen gas exists and the concentration of the chalcogen gas according to the color change. 
         [0025]    In other embodiments of the present invention, chalcogen gas monitoring devices include: a reaction unit which varies in resistance due to reaction with chalcogen gas; a measurement unit measuring a resistance value according to the variation in resistance; a calculation unit measuring at least one of whether the chalcogen gas exists and a concentration of the chalcogen gas according to the resistance value; and a display unit outputting the measured results, wherein the reaction unit includes: a metal foil replaced according to the results obtained by the reaction with the chalcogen gas; and two metal electrodes that is in contact with the metal foil to output the resistance value due to the reaction with the chalcogen gas to the measurement unit. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the reaction unit may include: a support layer supporting the metal electrodes and the metal foil; and a cover protecting the metal foil, the metal electrodes, and the support layer, the cover having an opened portion to allow the metal foil to contact the chalcogen gas. 
         [0027]    In still other embodiments of the present invention, chalcogen gas monitoring devices include: a reaction unit which varies in resistance due to reaction with chalcogen gas; a measurement unit measuring a resistance value according to the variation in resistance; a metal foil determination unit determining a metal material of the metal foil by at least one of electrical characteristics and chemical characteristics of the metal foil; a calculation unit measuring at least one of whether the chalcogen gas exists and a concentration of the chalcogen gas according to the resistance value and the determined metal material; and a display unit outputting the measured results, wherein the reaction unit include: a metal foil replaced according to the results obtained by the reaction with the chalcogen gas; two metal electrodes that is in contact with the metal foil to output the resistance value due to the reaction with the chalcogen gas to the measurement unit; and a metal detection sensor detecting at least one of the electrical characteristics and the chemical characteristics of the metal foil. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the reaction unit may include: a support layer supporting the metal electrodes, the metal foil, and the metal detection sensor; and a cover protecting the metal foil, the metal electrodes, and the support layer, the cover having an opened portion to allow the metal foil to contact the chalcogen gas. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the present invention. In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a view of a chalcogen gas monitoring device according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross section diagram of the reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating a variation in resistance of a metal foil depending on a kind of chalcogen gas according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating another example of the chalcogen gas monitoring device according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a cross section diagram of the reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Hereinafter, it will be described about an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Therefore, in some embodiments, well-known processes, device structures, and technologies will not be described in detail to avoid ambiguousness of the present invention. In following descriptions, it is noted that only portions that is necessary for an understanding of operations according to the present invention will be described, and descriptions with respect to the rest portions will be omitted to avoid ambiguous interpretation of the present invention. 
         [0038]    The present invention provides a chalcogen gas monitoring device that is capable of determining whether chalcogen gas exists or monitoring a concentration of the chalcogen gas. The chalcogen gas monitoring device may use a thin film metal foil formed of a metal material for reacting with the chalcogen gas. Here, the chalcogen gas is composed of chalcogen materials that are elements belong to the group 16 in the periodic table. For example, the chalcogen materials include oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), polonium (Po), and so on. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a view of a chalcogen gas monitoring device according to the present invention. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  includes a reaction unit  110 , a measurement unit  120 , a calculation unit  130 , and a display unit  140 . Also, the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  may further include an input unit  150 . 
         [0041]    The reaction unit  110  reacts with the chalcogen gas to vary in resistance. For this, the reaction unit  110  includes a metal foil for reacting with the chalcogen gas. Here, the metal foil is a metal material for reacting with the chalcogen gas. For example, the metal foil may be formed of a metal material such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), and chrome (Cr) that react with the chalcogen gas. When the metal foil is completely used through the reaction with the chalcogen gas, the metal foil may be replaced. A metal—chalcogen compound generated by the reaction between the metal material and the chalcogen gas. The metal-chalcogen compound has resistance greater than that of the metal material. Thus, the reaction unit  110  may use a variation in characteristic of the metal-chalcogen compound that is generated due to the reaction between the metal material and the chalcogen gas. 
         [0042]    The measurement unit  120  measures a resistance value according to a variation in resistance of the metal foil that reacts with the chalcogen gas. The measurement unit  120  outputs the measured resistance value to the calculation unit  130 . Also, the measurement unit  120  may output the measured resistance value to the display unit  140 . 
         [0043]    The calculation unit  130  may receive the resistance value through the measurement unit  120 . Here, the calculation unit  130  may store parameters for determining whether the chalcogen gas exists and for measuring a concentration of the chalcogen gas, or may receive parameters from the outside. The parameters may include kinds of metal foil and chalcogen gas, a reduced concentration depending on the resistance value (or a constant for calculating the resistance value), and so on. 
         [0044]    The calculation unit  130  may determine whether the chalcogen gas exists or calculate a concentration of the chalcogen gas by using the parameters according to the received resistance value. The calculation unit  130  outputs the calculated result to the display unit  140 . When the calculation unit  130  detects no change in resistance value due to the complete reaction between the chalcogen gas and the metal foil through the variation in resistance received through the measurement unit  120 , the calculation unit  130  may output information for informing replacement of the metal foil to the display unit  140 . 
         [0045]    The display unit  140  may include a display device for displaying the resistance value to inform the resistance value to a user. The display unit  140  displays the resistance value received through the measurement unit  120 . Also, the display unit  140  displays the existence/nonexistence of the chalcogen gas or the concentration of the chalcogen gas which are outputted through the calculation unit  130 . 
         [0046]    The input unit  150  receives the parameters for monitoring the chalcogen gas from the user to output the received parameter information to the calculation unit  130 . 
         [0047]    The display unit  140  may output the replacement information of the metal foil or display information for inputting the parameters. 
         [0048]    The chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  of the present invention may be used at atmospheric pressure (about 1 atm) or in a vacuum state in which a pressure is less than the atmospheric pressure. 
         [0049]    Thus, the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  of the present invention may determine whether the chalcogen gas exists and to measure the concentration of the chalcogen gas by using the metal foil reacting with the chalcogen gas. The chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  may replace the metal foil that completely reacted with the chalcogen gas. Therefore, the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  may ensure uniform performance and may reduce costs consumed to detect the chalcogen gas when compared to the existing gas chromatography technology. 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the reaction unit  110  includes metal electrodes  111 , the metal foil  112 , a support layer  113 , and a cover  114 . 
         [0052]    The metal electrodes  111  may be formed of a high-conductive metal material, for example, aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chrome (Cr), gold (Au), silver (Ag), and molybdenum (Mo). A portion of each of the metal electrodes  111  may be in contact with the metal foil  112 . A portion of each of the metal electrodes  111  may be provided in the form of a contact pad  1111  to be connected the measurement unit  120 . 
         [0053]    The metal foil  112  reacts with the chalcogen gas. For example, the metal foil  112  may be formed of a metal material such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), and chrome (Cr) that react with the chalcogen gas. The metal foil  112  may have a thin film shape. For example, the metal foil  112  may have a thin film shape with a thickness of about 1 μm to about 3 mm. Also, when the metal foil  112  completely reacts with the chalcogen gas, (for example, when the resistance is no longer increasing) the metal foil  112  is replaced. 
         [0054]    The support layer  113  has a function for supporting the metal electrodes  111  and the metal foil  112 . The support layer  113  may be formed of a non-conductive material, for example, a material such as a kind of plastic, a kind of glass. 
         [0055]    The cover  114  may protect the metal electrodes  111  and the support layer  113  against the chalcogen gas and fix the metal foil  112 . Also, the cover  114  may have an upper portion with a portion opened to allow the metal foil  112  to react with the chalcogen gas. For example, an opened area  114  in which the metal foil  112  reacts with the chalcogen gas is defined in the cover  114 . 
         [0056]    The cover  114  has an openable structure so as to replace the metal foil  112 . The cover  114  may be formed of a material such as glasses, plastics, and metals. 
         [0057]    Thus, when the metal foil  112  is completely used, the user may open the cover  114  to remove the used metal foil  112 . Thereafter, a new metal foil is mounted, and then the cover  114  is closed to monitor the chalcogen gas again. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3  is a cross section diagram of the reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a cross section of the reaction unit  110  that is taken along line X-X′ of  FIG. 2  is illustrated. The reaction unit  110  includes the metal electrodes  111 , the metal foil  112 , the support layer  113 , and the cover  114 . 
         [0060]    The metal electrodes  111  are disposed between the metal foil  112  and the support layer  113  to contact the metal foil  112 . 
         [0061]    The metal foil  112  is disposed on the metal electrodes  111 . 
         [0062]    The support layer  113  is disposed on lower ends of the metal electrodes  111  and the metal foil  112 . 
         [0063]    The cover  114  surrounds the metal electrode  111 , the metal foil  112 , and the support layer  113  to protect the metal electrode  111 , the metal foil  112 , and the support layer  113 . The cover  114  includes the opened area for the reaction of the metal foil  112  with the chalcogen gas. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating a variation in resistance of a metal foil depending on a kind of chalcogen gas according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an abscissa of the graph represents a concentration or time, and an ordinate represents resistance. Here, reference numeral  201  represents a variation in resistance of the metal material that reacts with selenium (Se), and reference numeral  202  represents a variation in resistance of the metal material that reacts with sulfur (S). Also, reference numeral  203  represents a variation in resistance of the metal material that reacts with tellurium (Te). 
         [0066]    As described above, in the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  of the present invention, when the metal foil  112  that is a metal material reacts with the chalcogen material, the metal-chalcogen compound is formed. 
         [0067]    For example, when copper (Cu) that is a metal material reacts with sulfur (S) that is a chalcogen material, copper sulfide (Cu x S y ) is formed. Also, when zinc (Zn) that is a metal material reacts with sulfur (S) that is a chalcogen material, zinc sulfide (ZnS) is formed. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) and copper sulfide (CuS) are semiconductor materials and have resistance values greater than those of copper (Cu) and sulfur (S). 
         [0068]    Thus, when the chalcogen increases in concentration, or as time passes, the metal material exposed to the chalcogen material gradually changes into the compound, and the metal material also changes in resistance. 
         [0069]    The chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  may determine whether the chalcogen gas exists and may measure a concentration of the chalcogen gas through the variation in resistance according to a kind of chalcogen, a kind of metal foil, a concentration of the chalcogen, and an exposure time. 
         [0070]    Also, the reaction unit  110  of the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  of the present invention may include a color sensor that is capable of detecting a change in color of the metal-chalcogen compounds. Here, since the metal reacting with the chalcogen compounds changes in color, the measurement unit  120  connected to the color sensor may measure a change in color. The calculation unit  130  may determine whether the chalcogen gas exists and may measure a concentration of the chalcogen gas on the basis of the color change measured by the measurement unit  120 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating another example of the chalcogen gas monitoring device according to the present invention. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a chalcogen gas monitoring device  300  includes a reaction unit  310 , a measurement unit  320 , a calculation unit  330 , a metal foil determination unit  340 , and a display unit  350 . Also, the chalcogen gas monitoring device  300  may further include an input unit  360 . 
         [0073]    The chalcogen gas monitoring device  300  is generally similar to the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  of  FIG. 1  except for a change in structure due to the metal foil determination unit  340 . Therefore, configurations similar to those of the chalcogen gas monitoring device  100  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0074]    As a replaceable metal foil is used, the chalcogen gas monitoring device  300  may further include the metal foil determination unit  340 . 
         [0075]    Here, the reaction unit  310  may further include a metal detection sensor for detecting a kind of metal foil. The metal detection sensor may detect the kind of metal foil by using electrical characteristics or chemical characteristics of the metal foil. 
         [0076]    The reaction unit  310  may output electrical characteristic information or chemical characteristic information of the metal foil, which are measured through the metal detection sensor, to the metal foil determination unit  340 . Various methods may be applied to detect the metal material constituting the metal foil. For example, the metal detect sensor may detect the metal material through the electrical characteristic information such as electrical conductivity, a thermal electromotive force, and so on. 
         [0077]    Alternatively, information with respect to the metal material constituting the metal foil may be recorded in the metal foil, and thus the metal detection sensor of the reaction unit  310  may read and detect the information with respect to the metal material from the metal foil. 
         [0078]    The reaction unit  310  outputs the characteristic information or read information with respect to the metal foil to the metal foil determination unit  340 . 
         [0079]    The metal foil determination unit  340  may determine a kind of metal foil that is attached to the chalcogen gas monitoring device  300  by using the characteristic information and the read information with respect to the metal foil. The metal foil determination unit  340  outputs the information with respect to the determined metal foil to the calculation unit  330 . 
         [0080]    Therefore, even if the input unit  360  does not input the information with respect to the metal foil into the calculation unit  330 , the calculation unit  330  may acquire the information with respect to the metal foil from the metal foil determination unit  340 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 5 . and 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the reaction unit  310  includes metal electrodes  311 , the metal foil  312 , a support layer  313 , a cover  314 , and the metal detection sensor  315 . 
         [0083]    Here, the configurations of the reaction unit  310  except for the metal detection sensor  315  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0084]    For example, the metal detection sensor  315  may be in contact with the metal foil  312  on a cross section of each of the metal electrodes. The metal detection sensor  315  may detect electrical characteristics, chemical characteristics of the metal foil  312 , and information recorded in the metal foil. 
         [0085]    The metal detection sensor  315  is connected to the metal foil determination unit  340  to output the detected information to the metal foil determination unit  340 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 7  is a cross section diagram of the reaction unit of the chalcogen gas monitoring device illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a cross section of the reaction unit  310  that is taken along line Y-Y′ of  FIG. 6  is illustrated. The reaction unit  310  includes metal electrodes  311 , the metal foil  312 , the support layer  313 , the cover  314 , and the metal detection sensor  315 . 
         [0088]    Here, the configurations of the reaction unit  310  except for the metal detection sensor  315  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0089]    The metal detection sensor  315  is disposed between the metal foil  312  and the support layer  313 . The metal detection sensor  315  is disposed on a lower end of the metal foil  312  and an upper end of the support layer  313 . 
         [0090]    Also, the metal detection sensor  315  is disposed in the cover. 
         [0091]    The position of the metal detection sensor described in  FIGS. 6 and 7  is exemplarily described, for example the metal detection sensor may be positioned at various positions for detecting the metal material constituting the metal foil  312 . 
         [0092]    The chalcogen gas monitoring device  300  provided in  FIGS. 5 to 7  may directly detect a kind of replaced metal and may be used to monitor the chalcogen gas. Thus, it is unnecessary to input the information due to the replacement of the metal foil by a user. 
         [0093]    As described above, the chalcogen gas monitoring device proposed in the present invention may use the detachable metal foil as a reaction instructor of the chalcogen gas to monitor whether the chalcogen gas exists. In addition, the chalcogen gas monitoring device may also monitor the concentration of the chalcogen gas. Therefore, the chalcogen gas monitoring device of the present invention may simply monitor the chalcogen gas at low costs. 
         [0094]    The chalcogen gas monitoring device of the present invention may use the replaceable metal foil to monitor the chalcogen gas, thereby reducing costs required for monitoring the chalcogen gas in a state where good monitoring performance of the chalcogen gas is ensured. Also, the chalcogen gas monitoring device of the present invention may allow the metal foil to react with the chalcogen gas to measure a variation in resistance, thereby determining whether the chalcogen gas exists or monitoring the concentration of the chalcogen gas. 
         [0095]    Although specific embodiments are described in the detailed description of the inventive concept, the detailed description may be amended or modified without being out of the scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.