Effect of initialization time on application potentiality of a ZnO thin film based LPG sensor

Abstract

prototype electronic LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) sensor based on zinc oxide (ZnO) film has been fabricated. The objective of the present work was to investigate the importance of initialization time (also called warm-up time) on the application potentiality of the ZnO based alarm. The role of sensor geometry on initialization time is presented. The electronic circuitry of the prototype LPG device alarm is discussed. It is shown that that the initialization time depends on the switch off time (or the time for which the sensor was kept idle). The resistive mode sensors can be fixed at 40% LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) of LPG for safe operation.