Highly sensitive photoacoustic multicomponent gas sensor for SF6 decomposition online monitoring

A ppb-level photoacoustic multicomponent gas sensor system for sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) decomposition detection was developed by the use of two near-infrared (NIR) diode lasers and an ultraviolet (UV) solid-state laser. A telecommunication fiber amplifier module was used to boost up the excitation optical power from the two NIR lasers. A dual-channel high-Q photoacoustic cell (PAC) was designed for the simultaneous detection of CO, H2S, and SO2 in SF6 buffer gas by means of a time division multiplexing (TDM) method. Feasibility and performance of the multicomponent sensor was evaluated, resulting in minimum detection limits of 435 ppbv, 89 ppbv, and 115 ppbv for CO, H2S, and SO2 detection at atmospheric pressure.