Building output–input function of catalytic combustion sensor to diesel vapor

The leaked diesel oil in engine room of ships volatilizes continuously. When the concentration of volatilized diesel vapor reaches the lower flammability limits, security risks will occur. In order to detect the concentration and alarm the risks, it is necessary to place sensors in engine room. This paper begins with the derivation of formula to calculate the diesel oil volume in different concentration of diesel vapor. Then it determines coefficient of the formula via analysis of the physical and chemical properties and volatilization properties of diesel oil. Experiments are designed to obtain the sensitive date to derive the function between sensor output and diesel volume. Then the fitting curve and analysis of linearity are given, and the results show that catalytic combustion sensor can meet the design requirements. In the end, it gives the application of catalytic combustion sensor using in diesel vapor detection and alarm system in engine room.