The Multi-Gas Sensor for Remote UAV and UGV Missions—Development and Tests

In this article, we present a versatile gas detector that can operate on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). The device has six electrochemical modules, which can be selected to measure specific gases, according to the mission requirements. The gas intake is realized by a miniaturized vacuum pump, which provides immediate gas distribution to the sensors and improves a fast response. The measurement data are sent wirelessly to the operator’s computer, which continuously stores results and presents them in real time. The 2 m tubing allows measurements to be taken in places that are not directly accessible to the UGV or the UAV. While UAVs significantly enhanced the versatility of sensing applications, point gas detection is challenging due to the downwash effect and gas dilution produced by the rotors. In our work, we demonstrated the method of downwash effect reduction at aerial point gas measurements by applying a long-distance probe, which was kept between the UAV and the examined object. Moreover, we developed a safety connection protecting the UAV and sensor in case of accidental jamming of the tubing inside the examined cavity. The methods presented provide an effective gas metering strategy using UAVs.

Experimental Validation of a Novel Generator of Gas Mixtures Based on Axial Gas Pulses Coupled to a Micromixer

In this work, a novel generator of gas mixtures previously numerically investigated and based on axial gas pulses coupled to a micromixer has been conceived, manufactured, and validated. Standard gaseous pollutant mixtures and pure nitrogen or pure air were introduced in a microdevice designed to generate alternating axial gas pulses which were downstream homogenized by means of a multi-stage modular micromixer. The dilution, and therefore the final pollutant concentration, was controlled by two parameters: the ratio between the times of each of the two gas pulses and the partial pressure of the pollutant(s) mixture added to the device. The gas mixture generator was coupled to an analyzer to monitor the concentration of aromatic pollutants. The response time was optimized to be lower than 2 min in accordance with the analytical instrument. The quantity of pollutants measured at the micromixer’s outlet increased linearly with the expected gas concentration of 3.7–100 ppb generated by this novel microfluidic generator and fitted perfectly with those obtained by a reference gas dilution bench. At 5 ppb, the precision on the concentration generated is close to that obtained with the conventional gas mixing bench, i.e., around 10%.

Official ERS technical standard: Global Lung Function Initiative reference values for static lung volumes in individuals of European ancestry

BackgroundMeasurement of lung volumes across the life course is critical to the diagnosis and management of lung disease. The aim of the study was to use the Global Lung Function Initiative methodology to develop all-age multi-ethnic reference equations for lung volume indices determined using body plethysmography and gas dilution techniques.MethodsStatic lung volume data from body plethysmography and gas dilution techniques from individual, healthy participants were collated. Reference equations were derived using the LMS (lambda-mu-sigma) method and the generalised additive models of location shape and scale programme in R. The impact of measurement technique, equipment type and being overweight or obese on the derived lung volume reference ranges was assessed.ResultsData from 17 centres were submitted and reference equations were derived from 7190 observations from participants of European ancestry between the ages of 5 and 80 years. Data from non-European ancestry populations were insufficient to develop multi-ethnic equations. Measurements of functional residual capacity (FRC) collected using plethysmography and dilution techniques showed physiologically insignificant differences and were combined. Sex-specific reference equations including height and age were developed for total lung capacity (TLC), FRC, residual volume (RV), inspiratory capacity, vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume and RV/TLC. The derived equations were similar to previously published equations for FRC and TLC, with closer agreement during childhood and adolescence than in adulthood.ConclusionsGlobal Lung Function Initiative reference equations for lung volumes provide a generalisable standard for reporting and interpretation of lung volumes measurements in individuals of European ancestry.

Investigation of Soot Formation in Fuel-Rich Premixed Propane/Air Microcombustion at Low Temperatures

The advantage of micro/meso combustion includes higher efficiency, improved heat and mass transfer, swift startup and shutdown when compared with regular combustion. This study aims to investigate the critical sooting equivalence ratio and soot precursor formation in a micro-flow reactor with a controlled temperature profile of diameter 2.3mm and their dependence on the temperature ranging from 800–1250 °C. The equivalence ratio is varied from 1–13 and flow rates of 10 and 100sccm were investigated. Also, nitrogen is used to study the effect of inert gas dilution. A gas chromatograph is used to study the exhaust gas composition. The reactor is analyzed visually for the traces of soot particles before and after combustion, each time the temperature and/or equivalence ratio is varied. From 750–950°C, no soot is indicted at all equivalence ratios even up to 100. The inert gas dilution helped in raising the critical sooting equivalence ratio as expected because of the lower temperature. The results indicated an opposite trend to what has been well understood for the pre-mixed sooting flames, i.e., decreasing temperature decreases soot formation. The capability of the reactor to examine the effects of temperature on the critical sooting equivalence ratio at different flow rates has been successfully demonstrated.

Analysis of Carbon Monoxide Gas Dilution on Horizontal Tunnel Front using Laboratory Scale Physical Model

Potential hazards that often occur in underground tunnels are dangerous and toxic gases, one of which is carbon monoxide (CO) which can be found in underground tunnels for example as a result of imperfect detonation on work surfaces. CO gas is very poisonous so it can cause death. This study aims to determine the spread of CO gas when diluting with tunnel ventilation in the horizontal front. This research was conducted on a physical model of the laboratory with a ratio of 1:10 compared to the actual tunnel, that is at the cross section of the model in the laboratory 40 cm x 40 cm. The effectiveness of dilution or dilution is indicated by the value of the diffusion coefficient, where the greater the diffusion coefficient, the more diffused the CO gas concentration, so the faster the CO gas concentration decreases. The parameters of the test conditions are the ratio of the duct to face distance (L/D) and the Reynolds number (Re) which shows the variation of air velocity in the tunnel work surface. Test results from the distribution of CO gas showed the influence of the configuration of the forcing duct and exhausting duct distances on the working front to the CO gas dilution. In this study also found the influence of Reynolds numbers on the value of the diffusion coefficient, that the greater the value of Re, the greater the value of E.