Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Wireless Electrochemical ClO₂ Monitor for Decontamination Operations

EPA Contract Number: EPD07029
Title: Wireless Electrochemical ClO₂ Monitor for Decontamination Operations
Investigators: Weber, Andrew
Small Business: Giner Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2007) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Homeland Security , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

The following Phase I developmental work was successfully demonstrated:

1. Feasibility of a small (1.1” x 1.1”) screen-printed electrode substrate for the detection of ClO₂ in air mixtures utilizing solid-polymer electrolyte-based thick-film sensor technology.
2. Feasibility of a miniature (1.25” x 1.25” x 0.25”) potentiostat to control the potential of the sensing electrode relative to a Pt/air reference electrode.
3. Feasibility of configuring, in a small (2.0” x 2.0” x 2.5”) package, the sensor cell module composed of the screen-printed, thick-film electrode substrate and its associated components (liquid reservoir and gas access ports) and the electronics module compo sed of the miniature (1.25” x 1.25” x 0.25”) low-power and low-noise potentiostat, the sensor control circuitry, and a transfer board to accept the wireless data transfer device (Crossbow, micro-RF device) for wireless transmission of sensor data to a central location, such as a personal computer or a laptop.
4. Feasibility of detection of ClO₂ in the range of 0 to 3000 ppm with a detection limit of 2 ppb.
5. Feasibility of sensor operation and ClO₂ detection with no interference from chemical compounds, such as ethylene (10 ppm), carbon monoxide (50 ppm), carbon dioxide (100 ppm), and nitrogen dioxide (6 ppm).
6. Feasibility of sensor operation and ClO₂ detection in the temperature and relative humidity (R.H.) range of +1°C to +40°C and 5 to 95 percent R.H., respectively, with minimal effect on the performance of the sensor.
7. Demonstration of successful operation of the prototype sensor with wireless data transmission.

Conclusions:

The experimental results of the Phase I developmental work, presented in the Phase I Final Report, showed that the performance of the developed prototype sensor met and exceeded the requirements of a feasibility demonstration and could be the basis for a robust, wireless ClO₂ monitoring system, which Giner will fabricate in Phase II. The Phase II design and developmental work will include tasks, such as sensor design improvements and optimization, extensive parametric testing, comprehensive lifetime testing, and fabrication of rugged prototypes for field evaluation.

Potential Applications

Extensive investigation¹ of the potential markets for the proposed ClO₂ monitor concluded that in addition to the building decontamination and monitoring applications, a rugged and inexpensive ClO₂ monitor could find applications in the pulp and paper and fruit and vegetable industries.
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¹The investigation of the potential markets was conducted in collaboration with Foresight Science and Technology (Providence, RI), which was contracted by EPA to develop a comprehensive commercialization plan to be submitted with the Phase II application.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, chlorine dioxide monitor, electrochemical ClO₂ monitor for decontamination operations, ClO₂ monitor for building decontamination,, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Monitoring, homeland security, building decontamination, chlorine dioxide monitoring, air pollutants, environmental hazard assessment, environmental technology, field portable

SBIR Phase II:

Wireless Electrochemical ClO₂ Monitor for Decontamination Operations  | Final Report