Microsensors for the multiparametric analysis of natural gas quality

The aim of this work is to implement a series of novel multiparametric techniques based on micro-nanotechnology to evaluate the quality of natural gas. Two low cost sensors have been fabricated by thin film technology and tested under different natural gas compositions. A thermal conductivity sensor to determine the MN of the gas, and a SAW sensor, which detects the change on gas viscosity, to calculate the HCV of the mixture. These microsensors provide an accurate relationship between the parameter to be determined and the physical property measured. The advantage of the method proposed is that the properties (HCV or MN) of the gas mixture are measured by indirect methods employing MEMS, this means that low cost and combustion-less process is carried out.