This project aimed to develop a compact device for simultaneous mobile non-industrial measurement of the particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM2.5 as well as inorganic pollutants (NOx / CO / O3 / SO2).
Within the BIG FuE project “Entwicklung eines Air Quality Monitors zur mobilen, nicht-industriellen Messung der PM10– und PM2,5-Fraktion und gasförmiger Schadstoffe”, a compact and mobile device for monitoring certain air pollutants has been developed. The device determines the concentration of suspended particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM2.5 and simultaneously the concentration of the health-endangering gaseous pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, the measurement of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) has been integrated and tested.
The method applied by the Air Quality Monitor (AQM) uses light scattered by tiny particles (nephelometry). A scattered light photometer detects the mass concentration of the aerosol particles within the measuring space. The wavelength of 650 nm applied by the system is most sensitive to particles in the size range from 0.5 to 1 μm. To improve the sensitivity of the coarse fraction PM2.5 to PM10, the AQM uses its virtual impactor, situated upstream of the photometer, which selectively enriches the concentration of the coarse fraction. The measurement of gaseous pollutants by way of independent sensor modules is executed simultaneously with. Advanced semiconductor sensors register the concentrations of O3, NO2 and CO; for the determination of the SO2 concentration, an electrochemical sensor is used.
The first functional models have been given to international launch customers in 2018. Their testing results were considered during adjustment development. Field tests have been performed at different locations and under various load situations. To examine the data transmission software, a measurement device has been installed on the motor yacht MY Victoria II which was cruising on the Havel river. Thus proved that a continuous change of the position of the measurement site has no effect on the quality of data transmission.
In order to evaluate the measurement quality, we performed comparative measurements with devices of competitors, sites of measurement have been in China and Italy.
Technical target criteria
The technical target criterie have been achieved as follows:
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