Electrochemical gas sensor

Electrochemical gas sensors are gas detectors that measure the concentration
of a target gas by oxidizing or reducing the target gas at an electrode and
measuring the resulting current.

Construction
The sensors contain two or three electrodes, occasionally four, in contact with
an electrolyte. The electrodes are typically fabricated by fixing a high surface
area precious metal on to the porous hydrophobic membrane. The working
electrode contacts both the electrolyte and the ambient air to be monitored
usually via a porous membrane. The electrolyte most commonly used is
a mineral acid, but organic electrolytes are also used for some sensors. The
electrodes and housing are usually in a plastic housing which contains a gas
entry hole for the gas and electrical contacts.

Theory of operation
The gas diffuses into the sensor, through the back of the porous membrane to the
working electrode where it is oxidized or reduced. This electrochemical reaction
results in an electric current that passes through the external circuit. In addition
to measuring, amplifying and performing other signal processing functions, the
external circuit maintains the voltage across the sensor between the working
and counter electrodes for a two electrode sensor or between the working and
reference electrodes for a three electrode cell. At the counter electrode an equal
and opposite reaction occurs, such that if the working electrode is an oxidation,
then the counter electrode is a reduction.

ABOUT THE GAS SENSORS USED:

MQ-2
Sensitive for Methane, Butane, LPG, smoke.
This sensor is sensitive for flamable and combustible gasses.
The heater uses 5V.

MQ-9
Sensitive for Carbon Monoxide, flammable gasses.
The heater uses an alternating voltage of 5V and 1.5V. It depends on the gases how to
use that alternating voltage. If only Carbon Monoxide is tested, the heater can be set
at 1.5V.
The MQ309A (also on this page) is like this sensor, but uses a lower heater voltage.
Introduction
The MQ series of gas sensors use a small heater inside with an electro-chemical
sensor. They are sensitive for a range of gasses and are used indoors at room
temperature.

They can be calibrated more or less (see the section about "Load-resistor" and
"Burn-in") but a know concentration of the measured gas or gasses is needed for
that.

The output is an analog signal and can be read with an analog input of the
Arduino.

Wiring
The preferred wiring is to connect both 'A' pins together and both 'B' pins
together. It is safer and it is assumed that is has more reliable output results.
Although many schematics and datasheets show otherwise, you are advised to
connect both 'A' pins together and connect both 'B' pins together.

In the picture, the heater is for +5V and is connected to both 'A' pins. This is only
possible if the heater needs a fixed +5V voltage.
The variable resistor in the picture is the load-resistor and it can be used to
determine a good value. A fixed resistor for the load-resistor is used in most
cases.

The Vout is connected to an analog input of the Arduino.

DEVICE:
This device is intended to provide the user with a cost-efficient means of
determining air quality. Our sensor focuses on the five components of the
Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index: ozone, particulate matter,
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide. This device detects all of
these pollutants except sulfur dioxide. The device also includes a town gas
sensor to alert the user to gas leaks or the presence of flammable gases.
Furthermore, a temperature and humidity sensor is included as these conditions
can impact the performance of the gas sensors.
We have yet to fully calibrate our device, but we have extracted data from sensor
data sheets to make some preliminary estimations. The sensors used are
relatively inexpensive and vary greatly from component to component so they
need to be calibrated with known concentrations of the target gasses.

Materials:
Control and Power

 Arduino Uno
 5V power supply
 RGB 16x2 LCD shield

Sensors

 Shinyei PPD42 Particulate Matter Detector

 MQ-2 Gas Sensor
 MQ-9 Gas Sensor
 MiCS-2714 Gas Sensor (NO2) *(COMPONENT CAN BE ADDED)
 MiSC-2614 Gas Sensor (Ozone) *(COMPONENT CAN BE ADDED)
 Keyes DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Sensor
 -DHT11

The Microprocessor

Overall Circuit Diagram

[TO BE DONE]
Particulate Matter Sensor

Shinyei PPD42 Dust Sensors to collect data about particulate matter.

Each Shinyei Detector has two signal outputs: one for small particulate matter
(left yellow wire in the picture above) and one for larger particulate matter.
These output signals are connected the digital inputs of the Ardiuno. The
detector needs to be powered by supplying +5V and ground to the ports on the
detector.

Gas Sensor Circuit Board

Circuit diagram for the circuit board hosting the gas sensors and
temperature/humidity sensor.

MQ Toxic Gas Sensors

We used MQ-2 and MQ-9 gas sensors to measure toxic gasses including Propane,
Butane, LPG and Carbon Monoxide.
The MQ-2 and MQ-9 are very similar to the MiCS detectors. They use a gas-
sensitive resistor (SnO2) to detect concentrations of toxic gases and have an
internal heating element to keep the sensor at the right temperature. The circuits
we use for these devises are practically the same as the circuits for the MiCS
sensors, except that we use a transistor rather than a resistor to regulate heater
power in the MQ-9.
Temperature and Humidity Sensors

This sensor is provided because temperature and humidity play a role in the gas
concentrations that our sensors detect. High humidity and temperature as well
as dramatic changes in either would have detrimental effects on the accuracy of
readings It is therefore helpful to be able to monitor these variables. Both
temperature and humidity can be read from this single sensor. Oriented as it is in
the photo above, the left pin is to be attached to power, the middle pin is the
output signal, and the right pin is grounded. The output signal for this
component goes to a digital port on the Arduino.
Interpreting the Data:
We are in the process of determining how to transform raw sensor values into
meaningful outputs. Calibration against known pollution sources will eventually
be necessary to ensure accuracy. In meantime we have used sensor data sheets
and prior research to make approximations.
To estimate particulate matter concentrations we use information from
a research paper by David Holstius. The paper correlates the Shinyei PPD42 dust
sensor outputs with EPA measurements. The graphs in the appendix show best
fit lines for the data. We used the graphs to approximate PM2.5 concentration in
micrograms per cubic meter as:
PM2.5 = 5 + 5 * (small PM low-pulse occupancy percentage)
For MQ sensors we use the graphs on the device datasheets to qualitatively
assess the data. When the resistance value drops to less than half of the
resistance in air, it is likely that the devise is detecting the target gasses. When
resistance drops by a factor of 10, the levels of target gas are likely around 1000
ppm, close to the legal safety limit.
Once we obtain approximate concentrations of the target gasses, we defer to US
government standards to interpret the data. We primarily use the EPA Technical
Assistance Document for the Reporting of Daily Air Quality and a
CDC information sheet on the hazards of propane.
 Fossil fuel use in material
acquisition & transport

Fossil carbon use in pulping &

recycling

Fossil fuel use in paper making

Fossil fuel use in processing &

commerce

Methane from landfilled waste

paper

Methane & nitrous oxide from

other degradation processes

Offset by energy recovery from

waste paper

Net carbon dioxide balance in

the organic material cycle

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Greenhouse gas emissions (Mt CO2 equivalent)

from the paper life-cycle

 No recycling 30% recycling 60% recycling

Fossil fuel use in material

acquisition & transport
Fossil carbon use in pulping &
recycling

Fossil fuel use in paper making

Fossil fuel use in processing &

commerce

CH4 from landfilled waste paper

CH4 & N2O from other degradation

processes
Offset by energy recovery from
waste paper
Net CO2 balance in the organic
material cycle

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of paper
(t CO2 equivalent)