Lower heating value sensor for fuel monitoring

This work details the development of a low cost, lower heating value (LHV) sensor that consists of a catalytic film deposited on the surface of a micromachined hotplate. The micromachined sensor has low heat capacity and thermal conductivity, making it appropriate for accurate LHV determination. Catalytically combusting the fuel provides the capability of direct LHV measurement, unlike most LHV measurement systems which rely on inference. The results of extensive laboratory testing and preliminary field testing will be reported, which demonstrate the capability to measure LHV values to within +/- 5% accuracy across a wide range of fuel values. Field testing results have shown LHV determination to within +/- 1.2% over a more narrow range of fuel heating values