Table 1.
Example of sensing technology used for monitoring gases in the mining, oil and gas industries.
| Instrument | Description | Gases/Particles | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld | |||
| Dräger X-am 5600 [17] | Compact instrument for the measurement of up to 6 gases; complies with standard IP67; IR sensor for CO2 and electrochemical for other gases. | O2, Cl2, CO, CO2, H2, H2S, HCN, NH3, NO, NO2, PH3, SO2, O3, Amine, Odorant, COCl2 and organic vapors. | Dimensions: 4.7 × 13.0 × 4.4 cm Weight: 250 g |
| Installed in ground vehicles | |||
| Picarro Surveyor [18,19] | Cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology, sensitivity down to parts-per-billion (ppb); survey gas at traffic speeds and map results in real time; real-time analysis to distinguish natural gas and other biogenic sources. | CO2, CO, CH4, and water vapor | Dimensions: Analyzer 43.2 × 17.8 × 44.6 cm; external pump 19 × 10.2 × 28.0 cm Weight: 24 kg + vehicle Power: 100–240 VAC |
| Stationary | |||
| Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) [20,21]. | Continuous particle monitoring. The tapered element consists of a filter cartridge installed on the tip of a hollow glass tube. Additional weight from particles that collect on the filter changes the frequency at which the tube oscillates. | Total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, PM2.5 | Dimensions: 43.2 × 48.3 × 127.0 cm) Weight: 34 kg Power: 100–240 VAC |
| Networks | |||
| AQMesh [22] | Wireless monitor; high sensitivity (levels to ppb); designed to work through a network of arrayed monitors. | NO, NO2, O3, CO, SO2, humidity and atmospheric pressure. | Dimensions: 17.0 × 18.0 × 14.0 cm Weight: <2 kg Power: LiPo batteries |
| Airborne | |||
| Yellow scan [23] | LIDAR technology with a total weight of 2.2 kg; 80,000 shots/s; resolution of 4 cm; class 1 laser at 905 nm. | Dust and aerosols. | Dimensions: 17.2 × 20.6 × 4.7 cm Weight: 2.2 kg Power: 20 W |