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

Progress and Final Reports:

Final