A Novel IoT-Enabled Wireless Sensor Grid for Spatial and Temporal Evaluation of Tracer Gas Dispersion

Tsz Wun Tsang, Kwok Wai Mui, Ling Tim Wong, Kwok Yung Law, Ka Wing Shek

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Current IoT applications in indoor air focus mainly on general monitoring. This study proposed a novel IoT application to evaluate airflow patterns and ventilation performance using tracer gas. The tracer gas is a surrogate for small-size particles and bioaerosols and is used in dispersion and ventilation studies. Prevalent commercial tracer-gas-measuring instruments, although highly accurate, are relatively expensive, have a long sampling cycle, and are limited in the number of sampling points. To enhance the spatial and temporal understanding of tracer gas dispersion under the influence of ventilation, a novel application of an IoT-enabled, wireless R134a sensing network using commercially available small sensors was proposed. The system has a detection range of 5–100 ppm and a sampling cycle of 10 s. Using Wi-Fi communication, the measurement data are transmitted to and stored in a cloud database for remote, real-time analysis. The novel system provides a quick response, detailed spatial and temporal profiles of the tracer gas level, and a comparable air change rate analysis. With multiple units deployed as a wireless sensing network, the system can be applied as an affordable alternative to traditional tracer gas systems to identify the dispersion pathway of the tracer gas and the general airflow direction.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3920
JournalSensors
Volume23
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • airflow
  • dispersion
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • tracer gas system
  • wireless sensing network (WSN)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Information Systems
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biochemistry
  • Instrumentation
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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