Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Sensor for Monitoring of Particulate Emissions in Diesel Exhaust Gases
EPA Contract Number: EPD09012Title: Sensor for Monitoring of Particulate Emissions in Diesel Exhaust Gases
Investigators: White, Christopher
Small Business: Active Spectrum, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: February 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009
Project Amount: $69,807
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Active Spectrum, Inc., has developed a novel, low-cost soot sensor for on-board measurement of soot emissions in diesel exhaust gases. The method uses electron spin resonance (ESR) to monitor the paramagnetic signature of soot. The ESR-based technology is differentiated from existing methods by excellent sensitivity, high specificity to carbon particulates, and robustness to fouling by accumulated soot. Potential commercial applications of the real-time sensor include diesel emissions reductions by servo control of the engine timing in response to sensor readings. Active control of the engine timing to reduce soot provides for a new or additional technique to meet emissions standards for PM10 and PM2.5, beyond conventional approaches using diesel particulates filters. The sensor also can be used to monitor free radicals in other industrial applications.
This project has demonstrated a new ESR-based sensor for real-time monitoring of free radicals in exhaust gases. Active Spectrum successfully demonstrated a robust, in-line sensor design. The sensor also is useful for measuring free radicals in almost any liquid or gas with minor modifications. Active Spectrum has confirmed that ESR measurements on diesel soot give results consistent with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis.
Figure 1: Micro-ESR® Sensor for On-Line Free Radical Monitoring
Conclusions:
Phase 1 data showed robust performance of the on-line Micro-ESR sensor in Figure 1. Further development will enhance the sensitivity and real-time performance of the sensor.
Commercialization:
Micro-ESR® on-line free radical sensors have been sold commercially to several oil and chemical companies.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, particulate emissions, soot emissions, air pollution, diesel exhaust, real-time sensor, carbon particulates, exhaust gases, sensor, diesel emissions reduction, particulate matter, PM10, PM2.5, emissions standards, real-time monitoring, measurement and monitoringThe 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.