How to Design a Gas Analysis System With Optical Sensors for SOFC and SO2 Monitoring?

Gas Sensor Control

In this project, students will be designing a controlled gas analysis system for use in conjunction with optical gas sensors built within the Centre for Microsystems and Photonics. The project will involve integrating the timing of gas selection with the critical pulse timing detection requirements of our optical gas concentration sensors. There are a number of key areas where this type of system is applicable within the department’s current research interests, including monitoring of high temperature gases from Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and measuring sulphur dioxide concentrations in natural gas.

Can someone enlighten what am I suppose to do?

I were thinking to build a sensor which measures and monitor the temperature of the gases. It will alert the user when the temperature hit average/abnormal temperature.

am i right? The question is not clear~ pls help! thank you!

Hi Tom. I, together with my group mates back in college also did this similar idea for our final year study. We develop a prototype sensor for measuring concentration levels of carbon monoxide. The idea was to measure and record or log the concentration levels of CO. This was to monitor these levels and if it passes the standard for the concentration levels. But the study still needs improvement specially on the prototype.

I guess you have to be clear first on what gasses you would want to monitor. Certain gasses have different minimum or maximum temperature ratings and they may also affect the temperature of one another. I believe you also need to consider the environment to which you will be conducting your study. You'd need a lot of research so that you can begin conceptualizing your objectives and designs.

Hi Tom,

Nikki is correct
And as for my own opinion

1. First, you need to identify what type of sensors you want to use.

-if it is for temperature, then you need something like thermocouple or RTD.
"I suggest LM335"

-if it is for gas, then you need something like IR or electrochemical sensor
"IR is quite expensive, I suggest electrochemical like figaro sensors tgs 203 for CO and other sensors for specific type of gas you want to measure or detect.You can also calibrate the sensors to detect multiple type of gas with a single electrochemical sensor."

2. Second, you need to identify what type of processor or driver you want to use in order to know the measurements.
-if you need something that can handle multiple process such detections, measurements, alarms and displays, then you need a microcontroller.
"I suggest Arduino Microcontroller. There are lots of tutorials about arduino on arduino forums or on youtube arduino using different sensors with programs."

3. Last, make the actual design from sensor to the microcontroller then to the display.