Laser-Based Monitoring of CH₄, CO₂, NH₃, and H₂S in Animal Farming-System Characterization and Initial Demonstration

Sensors (Basel). 2018 Feb 9;18(2):529. doi: 10.3390/s18020529.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a system for sequential detection of multiple gases using laser-based wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) method combined with a Herriot-type multi-pass cell. Concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ammonia (NH₃) are retrieved using three distributed feedback laser diodes operating at 1574.5 nm (H₂S and CO₂), 1651 nm (CH₄), and 1531 nm (NH₃). Careful adjustment of system parameters allows for H₂S sensing at single parts-per-million by volume (ppmv) level with strongly reduced interference from adjacent CO₂ transitions even at atmospheric pressure. System characterization in laboratory conditions is presented and the results from initial tests in real-world application are demonstrated.

Keywords: ammonia; hydrogen sulfide; laser spectroscopy; methane; wavelength modulation spectroscopy.