Influence of Coal-Fired Fly Ash on Measurement Error of NO₂ Electrochemical Sensors

To overcome the limitations of NO₂ electrochemical sensors, including their inaccurate measurements and short working life, when used around coal-fired power plants, we investigated the influence of coal-fired fly ash deposition on the measurement error of NO₂ electrochemical sensors through experimental tests. The morphological characteristics and pellet diameter distribution of coal-fired fly ash pellets were determined via scanning electron microscopy. The sedimentation velocity of coal-fired fly ash pellets in the air was determined through theoretical calculations of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. Additionally, the effect of the deposition of coal-fired fly ash on the measurement error of NO₂ electrochemical sensors was determined through experimental tests. The test results show that the minimum and maximum measurement errors of the NO₂ electrochemical gas sensor were 8.015% and 30.35%, respectively, after a deposition duration of 30 days with 30 mg/m³ coal-fired fly ash. This demonstrates that coal-fired fly ash deposition is the cause of the inaccurate measurements and short working life of these sensors. Coal-fired fly ash causes a decrease in the gas diffusion area of the sensor and the diffusion coefficient, thus increasing the sensor measurement error.