Grantee Research Project Results
Ethylene-Oxide Monitor With Ultra-Low Limit of Detection
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC20C0029Title: Ethylene-Oxide Monitor With Ultra-Low Limit of Detection
Investigators: Dyroff, Christoph
Small Business: Aerodyne Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020
Project Amount: $99,998
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air and Climate
Description:
We propose an ethylene-oxide monitor with ultra-low limit of detection based on sensitive and selective optical measurement technology.
Due to recently lowered exposure limits for ethylene oxide (EtO) in ambient air to 11 parts per trillion (long-term, 10-4 risk level) monitoring EtO will require advanced technology. Current methods require sample trapping and preconcentration to achieve an acceptable limit of detection (LoD), however the approach is susceptible to cross interference from other gaseous volatile organic carbon species.
Our optical technology is direct, sensitive, and selective in the measurement of EtO without the need for sample collection, preconcentration, or any other sample preparation. We expect to achieve relative and absolute uncertainties better than the 11 ppt exposure limit in a <2 minutes measurement time.
The system resulting from this research will enable both ambient air monitoring, to ensure public health, and industrial fenceline/facility detection of EtO.
End users will primarily be state and federal EPA offices and other local and regional environmental agencies, as well as industrial EtO producers and consumers aiming to comply with regulations.
Our initial discussion with researchers in state agencies (CA and TX) indicate intense interest in our technology from that sector, with initial sales on the 1-3 year timescale. We expect the industrial market to be growing due to an evolving regulatory landscape, with sales occurring on the 5-10 year timescale.
or our technology we expect a revenue potential of >$30 million from the ambient monitoring market alone based upon the number and location of EtO producers and consumers. We then expect larger revenue potential from the industrial fenceline/facility monitor market in the longer term.
Progress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Ethylene-oxide monitor with ultra-low limit of detection | Final ReportThe 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.