萝莉影视

CO2 sensorsBasic knowledge of CO2 sensors

About the impact, utilization, and management of carbon dioxide (CO2)

CO2 is a colorless and odorless gas at room temperature. The gas is emitted into the air by human and animal respiration and combustion of organic matter. It is consumed by plants through photosynthesis.

Impact on global warming

Global warming is believed to be caused by an increase in greenhouse gases. The impact of CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbon gas, and other gases is large. It is said that CO2 has the greatest impact of those. Reducing CO2 emissions is a major challenge to suppress global warming and to maintain human society and the natural environment.

CO2 concentration and its impact on the human body

CO2 is used in dry ice and fire extinguishers. However, if the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the air becomes high due to improper use, there is a risk of carbon dioxide poisoning.

Swipe left or right to change screens View in landscape mode.
CO2 concentration (ppm) Impact on the human body
400
Average outdoor air level
400 to 1,000
Typical concentration level in a well-ventilated occupied room
1,000 to 2,000
Level at which humans complain of mild drowsiness and bad air quality
2,000 to 5,000
Level at which humans complain of headaches, drowsiness, stuffy air, and shortness of breath. Decreased concentration, lowered attention, and increase in heart rate. Mild nausea may also appear
5,000
Toxicity or oxygen deficiency may occur in abnormal air conditions where there is a possibility of gases other than CO2 in high concentrations. Tolerance limit concentration for daily exposure in the workplace environment*
40,000
Concentration level that is immediately dangerous due to oxygen deficiency
  • *

Carbon dioxide concentration measurement: utilization and management for ventilation

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has released a warning to keep the indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration at 1,000 ppm or less as the standard for good ventilation conditions. Frequent ventilation is required indoors where people gather together such as homes and offices. Appropriate ventilation and management using CO2 sensors is effective to manage the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. The use of NDIR system CO2 sensors is recommended from the perspective of measurement accuracy.

Carbon dioxide concentration measurement: utilization and management for agriculture

CO2 is consumed by plants through photosynthesis. That means the inside of a closed agricultural plastic greenhouse is prone to becoming an environment liable to suffer from a shortage of CO2. It is possible to expect increased yields and improved quality in crops by managing the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in plastic greenhouses and promoting the growth of crops by using CO2 gas generators and CO2 sensors.

What are CO2 sensors? — Types, mechanisms, and principles

CO2 sensors are devices that detect, quantify, and measure the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere. CO2 sensors are being introduced in various industries as a result of regulations and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in countries around the world. We introduce here some of the mechanisms and principles of CO2 sensors.

Non-Dispersive InfraRed (NDIR) Method

The non-dispersive infrared absorption method detects gases using the phenomenon in which the infrared rays at a specific wavelength are absorbed as a result of the molecular vibrations of the target gas caused by the emitted infrared rays. The infrared transmittance (the ratio of the transmitted light intensity to the emitted light intensity from the radiation source) is determined by the concentration of the target gas.

One light source, one optical path, one filter, and one element system

The features of this system are its simple configuration, minimum size, and cost advantage. It is necessary to draw in a mixed gas or air of a known concentration and to then use that as the reference for the sensor. That means drift between the sensor and reference can be a problem. Accordingly, it is necessary to conduct calibrations periodically.

Figure of One light source, one optical path, one filter, and one element system

One light source, two optical paths, two filters, and two elements system

This system involves equipping two types of optical filters and then measuring the amount of infrared rays that pass through each one. This makes it possible to measure the CO2 concentration with high accuracy. One sensing filter is set to the wavelength that absorbs CO2 the most. The other reference filter is set to a wavelength that does not absorb CO2. A sensor element is installed for each of these two filters. The concentration is calculated from the difference in the amount of transmission between the wavelengths that absorb and do not absorb the CO2. The advantage of this system is that the reference is built into the device, so atmospheric calibration is not required. However, the disadvantage is the fact there are two optical paths and sensor elements. Therefore, that degree of deterioration will be a difference (drift).

Figure of One light source, two optical paths, two filters, and two elements system

One light source, one optical path, two filters, and one element system

The detection principle of this system is similar to the above one light source, two optical paths, two filters, and two elements system. The light source, optical path, and sensor element are combined into one and the two filters are moved to switch between them. This system raises the accuracy by eliminating drift due to the degree of deterioration of the two optical paths and sensor elements that is the drawback of the one light source, two optical path, two filter, and two elements system.

Figure of One light source, one optical path, two filters, and one element system

Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) Method

The photoacoustic effect is when a pulse of light from an infrared light source is passed through an optical filter adjusted to a wavelength that absorbs CO2 with the CO2 molecules in the measurement chamber, then absorbing the light that passes through the filter. The molecules shake with each pulse to generate pressure waves. Those pressure waves are then detected by a highly sensitive microphone to obtain a spectrum. The feature of photoacoustic spectroscopy is that it enables downsizing.

Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) Method

The thermal conductivity detector method measures the gas concentration by using the differences in thermal conductivity inherent to gases. A thermal sensor made using a heated platinum wire or similar detects the change in temperature due to the change in the thermal conductivity of the sample gas as a change in the electrical resistance to measure the concentration of the measurement component gas in the sample gas. It is common to use a bridge circuit that combines four thermal sensors to raise the sensing accuracy.

Figure of Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD) Method

CO2 sensor evaluation

Ascertaining the accuracy of CO2 sensors

The easiest way to ascertain the accuracy of CO2 sensors is to check that the measured value is close to the about 415 ppm to 450 ppm when the CO2 concentration is measured outdoors. An even more accurate confirmation method is to place the CO2 sensor in a chamber filled with a known gas concentration and to then check whether the known value appears. In this case, it is effective to measure and compare the CO2 sensor being evaluated with an even higher accuracy CO2 sensor.

About the reliability of CO2 sensors

The reliability required varies depending on the used application. In the most severe agricultural applications, sensors are used for long periods of time at high temperature and high humidity. Sometimes, they are used in environments where condensation occurs.
They are also used in sulfur fumigation environments to prevent crop diseases and improve quality. This is a harsh environment for electronic devices.

CO2 sensor calibration

The one light source, one optical path, one filter, and one element system requires atmospheric calibration. It is necessary to take the actual CO2 sensor out into the atmosphere or to draw in air close to the sensor with a tube for atmospheric calibration. The value will be correct immediately after calibration, but it may then gradually start to deviate. The system with a reference built into the device does not require calibration. Therefore, it can reduce the hassle and expense of maintenance involved in calibration.

Applications of CO2 sensors

CO2 sensors are used in a variety of applications. These applications include promoting photosynthesis in agriculture, controlling the air-conditioning in living spaces and buildings, managing the air quality inside automobiles, and detecting refrigerant leaks in refrigerators. The system is selected based on the requirements for each application such as the accuracy, reliability, environmental resistance, necessity of not requiring calibration, size, price, and output interface.
Some applications require a small size and a low price. However, there are also applications that require sensors that do not need to be calibrated, maintain their accuracy for a long time, and are resistant to breakdowns.

Promoting photosynthesis in agriculture

Controlling air-conditioning in buildings

Managing air quality inside automobiles

Preventing refrigerant leaks in refrigerators