Design of an optical gas sensor for aircraft cabin air contaminants

拟议的项目旨在开发一种可供机组人员佩戴的光子气体传感器，并将持续监测机舱内空气中的污染物，即有机磷酸盐(三芳基磷酸盐(TAP)和三甲酚磷酸盐(TCPs))。在正常运行期间，这些污染物可以通过发动机排气进入机舱，但如果发动机密封件老化或损坏，机舱空气中可能存在更大浓度的污染物。主要令人担忧的是几种常见液压油的神经毒性副产品，这些副产品可由飞机发动机的热分解产生，已被证明会导致急性和慢性神经和呼吸系统症状。由于缺乏足够的监测设备，迫切需要一种低成本、紧凑和可穿戴的设备，以满足航空公司运营中现有的安全和健康需求。目前的项目旨在开发和测试一种原型气体传感器，能够监测、预警和检测水龙头和三氯酚污染物，范围在5至600 ppb之间。

The proposed project aims to develop a photonic gas sensor which can be worn by aircraft crew members and will continuously monitor the cabin for airborne contaminants, namely the organophosphates (triaryl phosphates (TAPs) and tricresyl phosphates (TCPs)). These contaminants can enter the aircraft cabin through engine bleed air during normal operation, but larger concentrations may be present in the cabin air if any engine seals are old or broken. Of main concern are the neurotoxic by-products of several common hydraulic fluids, which can be produced by thermal decomposition in the aircraft engine, that have been shown to cause acute and chronic neurological and respiratory symptoms. Due to lack of a sufficient monitoring device there is urgent need for a low-cost, compact and wearable device in order to address an existing safety and health need in the airline operation. The current project aims to develop and test of a prototype gas sensor capable of monitoring and early warning and detection of TAPs and TCPs contaminants in the range of 5 to 600 ppb.