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Air quality monitoring stations
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The outdoor air quality monitoring use conventional analytic instruments such as infrared, chemiluminescence and ultraviolet measurements. These instruments, while giving extremely accurate and precise measurement, generally have installation and maintenance problems with high running costs.
These characteristics prohibit widespread distribution and limits quality and quantity in the gathered information.
In this specific sector Pirelli Labs, has combined the new network technology with the development of specific sensors which are able to magnify the advantages.
These sensors offer the possibility to have completely wireless monitoring systems, energetically self-contained, able to give back good quality data in real time at low installation and running costs.
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The core of the Pirelli system is centered on the semiconductor sensors.
These devices exploit the properties of different oxides whose electric conductivity rises at the presence of a gas.
These sensors are formed by three main elements: an alumina, silicon or ceramic base, a heater, and a layer of sensible material (film). All components are connected to two electrodes.
In the presence of reductive gas, some of the surface oxygen molecules have a reaction, setting electrons free which reduce the resistance among the granules. The value of the resistance is inversely proportional to the concentration of gas and by connecting the sensor to a suitable electronic circuit, is possible to obtain a tension value that can be turned into gas concentration.
On the contrary in presence of oxidant gas the reaction leads to a decrease of free electrons and to an increase of the potential threshold among the granules and therefore an increase in sensor resistance which is easily visible.
Innovative solutions designed by the Pirelli Labs researchers have made possible, thanks to its own formula and process, the possibility to achieve high sensitivity and high stability for its sensors.
Multisensors devices
One or more of these sensors can be installed inside multisensors devices. Pirelli has also developed a specific electronic control system to guarantee the correct conditioning of the electric signal.
Data collected by the sensors can be eventually interpreted and temporary filed on board before being sent via GSM/GPRS to the data center.
Currently sensor for the following gaseous pollutants are ready: Carbon Monoxide, Non-Methane Hydrocarbons, Nitrous Oxide, and Ozone.
These systems are offered as alternatives to the conventional analytic systems and offer advantages in:
- Cost (investment and maintenance)
- Dimension
- Flexibility
- Integration of the system with existing available technologies
- Wireless data transmission via GSM (or GPRS) in real time
Validation
The devices have been tested according to the present regulation concerning this thematic at CE level, at references certified laboratories and have underwent extensive field tests comparisons to traditional equipment.