GAS DETECTION DEVICE AND GAS DETECTION PROCESS WITH A SENSOR AND WITH AN OXIDIZER

A gas detection device (100) and a process monitor an area for a combustible target gas. A gas sample (G) enters into a measuring chamber (9). A semiconductor sensor (1) including an electrically conductive sensor component (10) has an electrical detection variable that changes with decreasing concentration of the combustible target gas. An oxidation component (2) oxidizes combustible target gas in the measuring chamber. The detection variable is measured at a detection time, and the oxidation component is in a switched-on state or is switched on. The oxidation component oxidizes at least a part of the combustible target gas in the measuring chamber up to a reference time. The detection variable is measured again at the reference time. The difference between the measured value at the reference time and the measured value at the detection time is an indicator for the concentration of combustible target gas.