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Phoenix as a Test bed for Air Quality Sensors (P-TAQS) Sensor Pod Design, Operation, and Maintenance
Citation:
Kimbrough, Sue, A. Clements, T. McArthur, J. Cansler, AND P. Deshmukh. Phoenix as a Test bed for Air Quality Sensors (P-TAQS) Sensor Pod Design, Operation, and Maintenance. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/X-20/099, 2020.
Impact/Purpose:
Over the past few years, concerns have been raised by regional environmental stakeholders regarding air quality in Maricopa County, AZ with particular attention to the presence of particulate matter and black carbon due the use of wood burning fireplaces and backyard fire pits in the valley. Maricopa County (Phoenix) has a heating season that lasts from November through March. This is the period of time when the area has high PM2.5 concentrations and there may be several exceedances during this period. Typically, these high PM2.5 concentrations are caused by fireplaces, outdoor firepits, outdoor barbecues, etc. The science objectives of Maricopa County are to use the PM2.5 measurements to target their existing fireplace replacement program with the long- term goal of reducing PM2.5 emissions in the greater Phoenix urban area. The Phoenix as a Test-bed for Air Quality Sensors (P-TAQS) pod sensor package is designed to measure key parameters of interest, specifically particulate matter, black carbon, and meteorological data. P-TAQS pods are designed to operate autonomously, with quick installation and with minimal maintenance using open source design features.
Description:
Over the past few years, concerns have been raised by regional environmental stakeholders regarding air quality in Maricopa County, AZ with particular attention to the presence of particulate matter and black carbon due the use of wood burning fireplaces and backyard fire pits in the valley. Maricopa County (Phoenix) has a heating season that lasts from November through March. This is the period of time when the area has high PM2.5 concentrations and there may be several exceedances during this period. Typically, these high PM2.5 concentrations are caused by fireplaces, outdoor firepits, outdoor barbecues, etc. The science objectives of Maricopa County are to use the PM2.5 measurements to target their existing fireplace replacement program with the long- term goal of reducing PM2.5 emissions in the greater Phoenix urban area. The Phoenix as a Test-bed for Air Quality Sensors (P-TAQS) pod sensor package is designed to measure key parameters of interest, specifically particulate matter, black carbon, and meteorological data. P-TAQS pods are designed to operate autonomously, with quick installation and with minimal maintenance using open source design features.
URLs/Downloads:
PHOENIX AS A TEST BED FOR AIR QUALITY SENSORS POD DESIGN OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 1227.076 KB, about PDF)APPENDIX D-P-TAQS PHOTOS.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 6100.136 KB, about PDF)
APPENDIX C-P-TAQS PARTS LIST.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 224.164 KB, about PDF)
APPENDIX B-P-TAQS CODE_FINAL_0331.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 297.793 KB, about PDF)
APPENDIX A-P-TAQS SCHEMATIC.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 147.859 KB, about PDF)