Abstract View
Sensor Environmental Test Chamber-2 (SEnTEc-2): Advancing Today’s Sensor Testing to Meet Tomorrow’s Sensor Needs
DAVID HERMAN, Wilton Mui, Vasileios Papapostolou, Andrea Polidori, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Abstract Number: 394
Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods
Abstract
The Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC) program of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has evaluated the performance of over 100 low-cost sensors (LCS) measuring air pollutants both in the field and a controlled test chamber. The first AQ-SPEC Sensor Environmental Test Chamber (SEnTEc-1) capabilities included temperature, relative humidity, and pollutant control for gases and both liquid and solid dust particles. However, recent advances in LCS applications (i.e., sensor networks and mobile deployment) have necessitated more complex testing capabilities. Therefore, AQ-SPEC has developed a second larger Sensor Environmental Test Chamber (SEnTEc-2) capable of performing more comprehensive test procedures. The SEnTEc-2 system was designed using the knowledge and experience gained from SEnTEc-1 and expands the testing capabilities of AQ-SPEC. This updated chamber system can generate complex aerosol and gas mixtures using the following: an integrated zero-air generator, a dynamic dilution calibrator, two aerosol generators, an ozone generator, and certified gas cylinders; automation and feedback controls maintain the produced pollutants at chosen concentrations. A suite of Federal Reference Method and/or Federal Equivalent Method monitors measure both particulate matter and gaseous species, as well as particle size distributions. Preliminary test exercises demonstrate that the SEnTEc-2 system can generate a wide range of stable and reproducible aerosol and gas atmospheres. Specific/predetermined test sequences such as that in the EPA’s Performance Testing Protocol for Fine Particulate Matter Air Sensors can also be reliably conducted. Furthermore, the development and execution of highly specialized testing scenarios by the SEnTEc-2 system (i.e., vibration, wind speed, and altitude tests) can provided additional validation into the use of low-cost sensors in environments with more turbulent weather conditions. When fully implemented, the SEnTEc-2 system will assist with sensor networks/sensor loan program calibration, performance target testing, and supplementary testing for low-cost sensors deployed on mobile platforms.