Grantee Research Project Results

A Nitrogen Dioxide Monitor Based on Nondispersive Visible Optical Detection

EPA Contract Number: 68D50105
Title: A Nitrogen Dioxide Monitor Based on Nondispersive Visible Optical Detection
Investigators: Kebabian, Paul
Small Business: Aerodyne Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1995 through March 1, 1996
Project Amount: $65,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1995) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

The problem addressed in this project is the need to monitor oxides of nitrogen (NOx, ie NO and NO2) levels in the combustion gases of stationary sources such as power plants in order to facilitate on-line control of the scrubbers that will be used to remove those pollutants. Since the measurements are in the parts per million range, simpler and less expensive instruments than those currently used, such as chemiluminescent analyzers, may be advantageous. The proposed innovation is to use recently available light emitting diode (LED) light sources and fiber optic components to realize an NOx monitor working on the gas-filter correlation principle. The Phase I effort will consist of:

1. building a prototype in the proposed configuration, and measuring its sensitivity and response to interferents;
   
2. determining by experiment and modelling an optimized design, specifically optimizing the filter design and the coupling of light from the sources into the fibers; and
   
3. testing the feasibility of real time computer control of ozone titration of NO to NO2.

The Phase II effort will be to build a prototype instrument which would be capable of continuous automated monitoring of NOx at ppm levels in industrial environments.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, air emissions, engineering, chemistry., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, HAPS, Monitoring/Modeling, Analytical Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, tropospheric ozone, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Incineration/Combustion, environmental monitoring, emission control strategies, particulates, Nitrogen Oxides, ambient aerosol, ambient air quality, combustion byproducts, Nitrogen dioxide, aerosol particles, emission control technologies, ambient particle properties, air toxics, atmospheric particles, compliance monitoring, industrial emissions, ambient measurement methods, particulate emissions, air pollution control, emissions measurement, ambient air, air pollution, compliance, Clean Air Act , particulate matter chemistry, carbon dioxide, ambient nitrogen dioxide, optical detection, combustion technology, continuous emissions monitoring, combustion exhaust gases, atmospheric monitoring, industrial effluents, emissions contol engineering, incineration, measurement methods , acid rain, atmospheric deposition, aerosols, air quality, atmospheric chemistry, combustion gases

Progress and Final Reports:

Final