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Calibration and Evaluation of Low-Cost Optical Dust Sensors and Monitors

Zervaki, Orthodoxia
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3481-506X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535634263839935

Abstract Details

2018, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Environmental Engineering.
Continuous monitoring of dust concentration is vital to understanding the impact of air pollution on human exposure and health. Miniature, low-cost sensors are being increasingly used for air quality measurements. Several studies have shown the usefulness of the semi-quantitative measurements provided by these sensors. However, the response of these sensors suffers from large uncertainties as function of temperature, humidity, and particle physical and chemical properties. The objective of this Thesis was to study the response of a variety of low-cost dust sensors from various manufacturers which use scattered light (Model PPD42NS from Shinyei, model PPD60PV-T2 from Shinyei, model GP2Y1010AU0F from Sharp, and model SDS011 from Nova Fitness), or units that their operation is based on light scattering (Dylos DC1700), or they include an inexpensive optical sensor (Speck monitor). The sensors were calibrated and then evaluated using DUSTTRAK™ Aerosol Monitor Model 8520, a laser-photometer that measures and records airborne dust mass concentrations, and Hand Held Portable Counter (HHPC-6), a portable instrument for detecting, counting and storing number concentrations. Calibration curves were obtained by correlating the sensor response with the reference instruments’ measurements. Pairwise correlations between the sensors’ output and the aerosol concentrations were high: The coefficient of determination was greater than 0.9 for some sensors, for durations less than 15 seconds. The results show that (a) each sensor unit from the same manufacturer/model provides varying responses, indicating the need for calibrating each unit prior to its use, and (b) different aerosol composition can significantly affect the sensors’ response in some cases. Our correlation results offer information and a procedure to calibrate the individual sensors for some case specific situations when the source of the aerosols is known. Dylos DC1700 and Speck monitor were evaluated during a series of experiments at the laboratory, as well as at an occupational area and a residency. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that Speck monitor could successfully detect abrupt changes in PM concentrations and it was proposed for qualitative indications of the lever of air contamination (i.e. low, moderate and high level of air pollution). The Dylos DC1700 performed with high linearity and accuracy with a recommended upper detection limit of 2 million pcs cf-1. Additionally, at relatively `clean’ atmospheres, the monitor’s response over the time interval of ten minutes was preferable, but when higher concentrations are monitored, with abrupt concentration changes, minute-by minute monitoring is recommended. The significantly inexpensive cost and compact size, along with a variety of features provided with some of these monitors, in contrast to unaffordable and bulky instruments conventionally used, can reassure promising applications with their proper preparation. The results obtained by our research constitute a contribution to the existing ever-growing concern regarding the low-cost sensors’ feasibility.
Dionysios Dionysiou, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Pramod Kulkarni, D.Sc. (Committee Member)
George Sorial, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
121 p.
Environmental Engineering
dust sensors; calibration; dust monitors

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zervaki, O. (2018). Calibration and Evaluation of Low-Cost Optical Dust Sensors and Monitors [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535634263839935

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zervaki, Orthodoxia. Calibration and Evaluation of Low-Cost Optical Dust Sensors and Monitors. 2018. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535634263839935.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zervaki, Orthodoxia. "Calibration and Evaluation of Low-Cost Optical Dust Sensors and Monitors." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535634263839935

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.