Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Compact High-Performance Sulfur Dioxide Monitor
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC20C0030Title: Compact High-Performance Sulfur Dioxide Monitor
Investigators: Vakhtin, Andrei B
Small Business: Mesa Photonics, LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air and Climate
Description:
The overall goal of this Project is to develop a fast, sensitive and selective sulfur dioxide (SO2) optical monitor. The compact, lightweight and low-power instrument will be designed specifically to target the primary EPA application of supplemental SO2 monitoring including short-term measurements at multiple locations and exploratory monitoring to determine siting of an air monitoring shelter.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The Phase I research has demonstrated sulfur dioxide detection limit and measurement precision of about 5 ppb with signal averaging over 5-20 s, response time of about 5 s and exceptional selectivity of SO2 detection. The measurement dynamic range exceeds 4 orders of magnitude. Self-calibration capability of the system is demonstrated, which justifies reduced calibration requirements for the commercial instrument. The Phase II prototype system design is outlined, which includes compact optical and mechanical design and custom analog and digital electronics to make the instrument portable, rugged and easy to operate. Estimated power draw is less than 30 W, which will allow battery- and solar-powered operation.
Conclusions:
The feasibility of the proposed sulfur dioxide measurement technology is successfully demonstrated. The engineering challenges to be addressed in Phase II are outlined. The work performed in Phase I resulted in development of a benchtop technology that is ready for transitioning to a compact, low-power prototype. In Phase II, a portable self-contained prototype instrument will be designed, built, calibrated and extensively field-tested, both in-house and with partners in the research community.
The obtained results provide a solid basis for the development, construction and field testing of the prototype sulfur dioxide sensor in Phase II. Successful demonstration of this technology in Phase II will provide the foundation needed to proceed with Phase III commercialization. The potential applications include environmental and industrial monitoring and volcanic research. During Phase I, Mesa Photonics established initial contacts with potential commercialization partners that can help with the product distribution and initial market penetration and for potential partners in the research community willing to test and evaluate the prototype instrument in Phase II and beyond.
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.