Our mobile gas analyser can test the atmosphere for up to 4 specific gases and 2 sizes of particulate matter and can be used either on a ground base setup and is compact enough to be mounted on our drones for drone gas detection.
1. What do AQ and RI sensors measure? Each of those sensors measures the concentration of several gases simultaneously and shows an average resulting value. The substances making up the group have been selected for certain common features: AQ (Air Quality) - measures overall air quality, the group contains : CO, H2S, NO, SO2 RI (Respiratory Irritants) - measures concentrations of frequently occurring respiratory irritant gases: NO2, O3, CL2, HC VERSION 2 configuration contains AQ and RI sensors, so it can be used for more general localization of the origin of pollutants, without indicating their type.
VERSION 1 version has separate sensors for specific gases, making it more suitable for normative measurements.
2. What technical standards does our equipment meet? The manufacturer provides a certificate of conformity with the standards harmonized with the EU directive EMC 2004/108/EC and 94/9/EC ATEX with later amendments.
3. Will the smoke be dissipated by the rotors? Does that interfere with the measurements? Smoke from a chimney can be dispersed in so many ways (depending on air humidity, wind strength and direction, atmospheric pressure and even sunlight) that regardless of the technology used, the repeatability will always be limited. The slightest wind blow that could occur during measurment outside a chimney duct will cause changes in the readings. Therefore, outside of a chimney duct, we can only make approximate measurements - and that is how the gas detection equipment is supposed to be used. In order to make a precise measurement, it has to be taken deep inside the chimney duct, but in the case of drone flights this solution is not practical. Measurements with a high repeatability of results can be taken with the drone gas detection equipment in an environment where we can ensure repeatability of the surrounding conditions. The chimney smoke will be affected by the rotors, as well as even small gusts of wind. However, in the our system, the airflow around the airframe and rotors actually facilitates sampling. If the drone approaches the floating smoke head on or from below, the airflow caused by the rotors will suck the smoke in towards the sensor, making measurement easier. The manufactures have tested this solution in practice many times and it works perfectly and the measurement is easy and safe. In real life conditions, approaching the chimney outlet as close as possible is pointless, because we still measure the smoke partially dispersed in the air. Therefore, using our drone mounted gas detection is safe because it eliminates the need to get as close as possible to the chimney outlet. Analyzing the gas from the chimney, measurements can and should be made at a distance from the outlet (1m or more). The accuracy of the drone's approach to the smoke plume will have a greater impact on the measurement than the proximity of the chimney.
4. Our Gas Detection equipment is mounted on top of the drone but it can also be suspended underneath. How does this affect the measurements? As mentioned earlier the very nature of the measurement method doesn't allow for perfect repeatability of the results, this it is difficult to talk about comparative mearurements between the two methods of mounting the gas detection unit. In general the results should be the same. After multiple practical tests performed by the manufacturer the conclusion was that using the "suspended underneath" mode can rarely be justified, and in the vast majority of cases the top-mount solution will be a lot better.
5. Where are the data stored? Data is normally saved on the computer to which the ground module is connected when the "save" option is selected in the gas detection Ground Unit.
6. VERSION 1 - for normative measurements OR VERSION 2 - for the location of origin of pollutants.
Why and how do they differ? The two variants differ in some sensors, and the location measurement and meeting standards are identical in both models. The configuration version 'VERSION 1' has single-gas sensors and is therefore more suitable for normative measurements (normative measurements are based on the measurement of specific substances). "VERSION 2" measures the AQ and RI indices (among others), which broadens the search scope for pollutants in general, but provides less information about what those pollutants are.
7. How often should the sensors be calibrated? Calibration is performed once a year, and for very intensive use once every six months. The sensors are sent back to Europe for factory calibration.
8. How do we calibrate the sensors? Calibration is performed once a year, and for very intensive use once every six months.
9. What measurement method does the gas detection unit use? For particulate matter (PM) the gas detection unit uses the laser/optical method. For other media, electrochemical sensors are used.
10. Under what atmospheric conditions can the gas detection unit be used? Can it be used in an environment with a lot of steam or in the rain? The equipment can take measurements in conditions up to 95% humidity but not in condensation. As for the other conditions (temperature, etc.), you can assume the same parameters/conditions for the gas detection unit as for the drone being used.
11. How does the gas detection unit take a sample for analysis? The gas detection unit takes a sample by force of suction, that is generated by a small fan. The sample is sucked under pressure through an opening in the housing into the interior of the unit where it passes the PM sensor first, and then through a chamber where the sensors for the gases are located. The sample is then blown outside through an outlet. The air exchange in the device takes a few seconds.
12. Does it make sense to take an air sample with a tube? Tube sampling has far more disadvantages than advantages. The tube has a significant impact on the measurement of dusts, as these are deposited on the inside of the tube. Even Kevlar or carbon thin-walled tubes interfere with the results. In addition, the propeller downwash will always interfere with the sampling with the tube, unless it is very long (reaching far beyond the outline of the drone's arms). In the case of Atmon FL, the airflow from the propellers helps the measurement instead of interfering.
13. How is the sensor calibration performed? The gas detection unit is calibrated with special calibration gases according to EU guidelines.
14. Can a chimney test report be printed? Each measurement can be saved on the computer or tablet to which the Ground Unit is connected. The data is saved in the form of a CSV (comma separated values) text file, which makes it easy to import into various kinds of software for further processing and creating reports. In addition, the current readings are displayed on the computer screen in the user panel along with the coordinates, temperature and other data. By taking a screenshot, we can quickly and easily record all of the readings at any given moment for a given place, time and altitude; the screenshot includes a graph of concentration over time for one substance. It is also planned to extend the reporting functionality of the software in the future.
15. Is it possible to create smog clouds maps? The majority of GIS-type programs allows importing data from different file types, including CSV. Each data point created by the ground station contains information about the location and altitude of the measurement, as well as the concentration of all substances. This information is sufficient to create a pollution map in the relevant program.
16. What is the error in the measurement of the gas detection unit? The measurement error (measurement uncertainty) is reported separately for each substance. Information on the measurement range and uncertainty of measurement can be found in the technical specifications as well as the documentation included with the device. Each unit is supplied with a calibration certificate from the manufacturer certifying the measurement error.
17. Can the gas detection unit be equipped with an oxygen sensor? Yes, it is available on special request. If you are looking for other sensors that are not on the current list of sensors - send us a message. Perhaps such sensors will also be available on special request.
18. What does the result file with the saved data from the ground station look like and what data does it contain?
The files saved by the Ground Unit are in CSV format so they can be imported into many different programs for further analysis and processing. The simplest form is to import into a Microsoft Excell or Open Office Calc worksheet. The following data is available: Date and time (in the form of a unix timestamp) Latitude and longitude Altitude RSSI (signal strength index) Battery charge level Identification number Device status Measurement results from individual sensors Air temperature Humidity
19. What substances are recommended for detecting the incineration of illegal waste in domestic furnaces and why? It should be remembered that these are not clear-cut issues, because different substances will separate many different gases when they are incinerated. The multitude of types of rubbish is obvious, but some legal fuels can also burn "dirty". We have three main groups of waste on which we focus:
Wood/furniture waste: materials such as MDF, plywood etc. contain organic adhesives, but the biggest problem with them is that they are preserved/impregnated with formaldehyde, which is very harmful and simultaneously rarely found in legal fuels. It is one of the best, most unambiguous markers for combustion of illegal fuels, but of course it only concerns certain types of waste.
Rubber waste: sulphur is used in vulcanisation of rubber - it is one of the key components of rubber products that determines its properties. We can expect a lot of sulphur oxides, a little bit of hydrogen sulfide, and a little bit of formaldehyde when burning rubber waste. We can also expect a lot of soot and a relatively high amount of "thicker" suspended particulates.
Plastics, etc.: there are a lot of types of these substances. The worst are polyvinyl chloride, or PVC / PVC. When burned, we can expect them to produce large amounts of hydrogen chloride, but also carbon monoxide (to a lesser extent). The bottles are often made of polyethylene, which is relatively harmless. During combustion, polyethylene breaks down into ethylene, which is flammable and mostly burns out immediately within the fireplace.
Division by substance/sensor:
- HCL hydrogen chloride: will facilitate the detection of the combustion of plastics (mainly PVC), objects containing metal parts, materials containing dyes. HCL is very harmful. It's one of the most important sensors to detect illegal waste incineration.
- Formaldehyde HCHO: will appear when furniture products are burned, because materials (cellulose) and organic adhesives are used, which are preserved by formaldehyde (specifically a water-based solution of formaldehyde). It may also appear when burning rubber, plastics and plastic bags. It's one of the most important sensors for detecting illegal waste incineration. Its appearance is a rather unambiguous and certain indicator that something that was impregnated is being burned.
- Hydrogen sulphide H2S: may appear when certain plastics and rubber are burned. Using this sensor is recommended by the Central European Drones Demonstrator (probably in order to comply with the so-called European Odour Directive and also for industrial/agricultural/wastewater treatment plants - odour pollutants). Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous only in high concentrations. The human nose is very sensitive to hydrogen sulfide (comparable to sensors), but in contrast to sensors - it gets used to it quickly, which can lead to ignoring dangerous concentrations of this gas.
- Sulphur oxides SO, SO2: will appear in larger amounts when burning rubber, it can also appear when burning plastics, as well as solid fuels, oils, coal, biomass.
- Carbon monoxide CO: may be an additional indicator, but it will say little in itself about the burning waste. The combustion of legal fuels can also generate more CO if the combustion is incomplete (e.g. due to oxygen deficiency).
- PM: these occur with every combustion. A sudden increase in the PM readings is useful for determining that the device is taking in smoke and not ambient air.
- Ammonia NH3: this substance is recommended by the Drones Demonstrator probably in order to determine odour pollution / industrial or agricultural pollution. Ammonia is usually formed by the breakdown of protein substances by bacteria.
- Hydrogen cyanide HCN - is formed when burning plastics and is also present in cigarette smoke.
- Molecular chlorine Cl2 - is formed during the combustion of plastics. An average waste can emit a mixture of different substances. For example, burning a PC keyboard will produce a lot of gases, but hydrogen chloride may be dominant because of the PVC housing. Many packages such as juice cartons are made of several different materials, so they will also emit a whole set of poisonous substances when burned.
20. What is the maximum number of sensors? The gas detection unit must be equipped with PM2.5 and PM10 sensors in order to work properly. Additionally, it can be equipped with up to 4 sensors from the current sensor list below:
21. What sensors can be mounted
- Air pollution analyzer (without media measurement modules)
- AQ indicator of general air quality AQ: 0-100 ppm; accuracy: 0,05 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- C2H6O C2H6O ethanol metering module: 0-500 ppm; accuracy: 0,3 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- Cl2 Chlorine measurement module Cl2: 0-5 ppm; accuracy: 0,02 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- CO Carbon monoxide measurement module CO: 0-1000 ppm; accuracy: 0,5 ppm; resolution: 0,1 ppm
- CO2 Carbon dioxide measuring module CO2: 0-5000 ppm; accuracy: 50 ppm; resolution: 1 ppm
- H2S Hydrogen sulfide measurement module H2S: 0-50 ppm; accuracy: 0,1 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- HCHO Formaldehyde measurement module HCHO: 0-5 ppm; accuracy: 0,1 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- HCL Hydrogen chloride measuring module HCL: 0-20 ppm; accuracy: 0,02 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- HCN Hydrogen cyanide measuring module HCN: 0-100 ppm; accuracy: 0,1 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- LZO Measurement module of volatile organic compounds VOC: 0-40 ppm; accuracy: 0,04 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- NH3 Ammonia measuring module NH3: 0-100 ppm; accuracy: 1 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- NO2 Nitrogen dioxide measurement module NO2: 0-5 ppm; accuracy: 0,02 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- NO Nitric oxide measurement module NO: 0-100 ppm; accuracy: 0,1 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- O3 Ozone measurement module O3: 0-2 ppm; accuracy: 0,02 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- PM Dust measurement module PM10 / PM2.5: 0-999 ug/m3; accuracy: 15 ug/m3; resolution: 1 ug/m3
- RI Irritating substances in the respiratory tract RI: 0-20 ppm; accuracy: 0,02 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
- SO2 Sulfur dioxide measurement module SO2: 0-20 ppm; accuracy: 0,02 ppm; resolution: 0,01 ppm
19. Do you undertake drone gas detection for One Of Jobs? Generally speaking no. This is because of the very specialized equipment being used. We are limited to the number of sensors and type that can be installed within the gas detection unit. These sensors are usually selected for our clients special needs and the sensors will need to be calibrated routinely by the manufacture in Europe. Therefore we operate our drone gas detection and monitoring service on a token based service.
Your Specific Details. If you work with a government department, or within the private sector and drone gas detection is something that we can assist you with then please send as an email with your specific job details on what you need to achieve. Once we receive your information we will look into what can be supplied within our drone gas and participial workflow.
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