| Abstract: | Control of very low oxygen partial pressures was performed in the range of 10−21-10−24 Pa at 750°C by pumping oxygen into the purified hydrogen stream with a stabilized zirconia cell. The oxygen partial pressures were monitored by a stabilized zirconia sensor. The stabilized zirconia oxygen sensor was calibrated by H2-CO2 gas buffer mixture in the range of oxygen pressure from 10−17 to 10−21 Pa, and oxygen partial pressures below 10−21 Pa were measured by extrapolating the calibration line to very low oxygen partial pressures. The lowest oxygen partial pressure controlled was 10−24 Pa at 750°C, which was limited by gas leaks in the system and also by the reduction of the ionic transference number in solid electrolyte used as the oxygen pump. |
