Agricultural Gas Sensor Systems

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The production of manure releases chemical compounds generated from biochemical reactions. The sensors will be installed on top of the manure pits to detect the composition and concentration of rising gases. The sensors should have short response and recovery times to allow for continuous monitoring of manure conditions. The wire-grid installation needs to be semi-permanent and maintenance-free. As a result, the sensors should be lightweight, portable, automated, and battery-powered (low power). This implies low (room or ambient) operating temperature as heating would impose significant energy and safety requirements on the sensor system. Methane and Ammonia sensors should be collocated on a single chip and operate as a single sensor system to reduce weight and system complexity. Good candidate sensors should have reasonable sensitivity to methane and ammonia, high selectivity against interferents gases, and good long-term stability. Inertial Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) gas sensors can (i) detect a multiplicity of those gases simultaneously, (ii) in real-time, and (iii) meet low gas concentrations requirements. More sophisticated sensors exist but they are bulky, unsuitable for portable applications, and require manual handling and processing. Over the last decade, the applicants have established a track record of excellence in micro gas sensor design, fabrication, and characterization working both individually and as group. The complementary capabilities of their laboratories are now one of the best micro gas sensor development, test, and characterization facilities in Canada. The underlying detector polymers, sensing mechanism, and gas identification technology have been previously demonstrated. This project will marshal those capabilities to develop a unique sensor system for monitoring of manure pits and lagoons.