Developing a network of inexpensive electrical conductivity sensors to map ammonia release

Matthew D. Collins; Eric R. Languirand; Ian Emge

doi:10.1117/12.2618101

30 May 2022 Developing a network of inexpensive electrical conductivity sensors to map ammonia release

Matthew D. Collins, Eric R. Languirand, Ian Emge

Proceedings Volume 12116, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXIII; 121160H (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618101
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2022, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The accidental release of industrial and agricultural chemicals can pose a serious threat to life and the environment. Therefore, researchers have been exploring detection methods of commonly transported chemicals in order to minimize potential harm or destruction in response to an accidental release. One method is to use a network of commercial sensors to track a chemical spill but with each sensor costing upwards of $600, this type of network can become prohibitively expensive and may not be practical for real world use. Specifically, we aimed to develop a network of custom electrical conductivity sensors with each sensor made from an inexpensive Arduino board showing comparable detection results while costing an order of magnitude less. In our experiments, the network of sensors covered 83 in2 in a container filled with different types of water (e.g. deionized, melted snow, sea, river, and tap). The network of custom sensors showed high ammonia concentrations near the release point of an initial laboratory scale ammonia release with low ammonia concentrations away from the release point. As equilibrium was reached, the sensors showed the same ammonia reading. Additionally, a 2-D map was made to track the simulated ammonia spill overtime. Overall, this works shows that this network of custom Arduino sensors can be used to map the detection of accidental ammonia release as an inexpensive replacement for the commercial sensors, which will promote accessibility of future testing for the broader community.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew D. Collins, Eric R. Languirand, and Ian Emge "Developing a network of inexpensive electrical conductivity sensors to map ammonia release", Proc. SPIE 12116, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXIII, 121160H (30 May 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618101

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
7 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Sensors

Environmental sensing

Ions

Liquids

Sensor networks

Industrial chemicals

Chemical detection

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years