Design of an optical gas sensor for aircraft cabin air contaminants

该项目旨在开发一种光子气体传感器，可供机组人员佩戴，并将持续监测机舱内的空气污染物，即有机磷酸盐（磷酸三芳基酯（TAP）和磷酸三甲苯酯（TCP））。这些污染物在正常操作期间可以通过发动机引气进入飞机机舱，但是如果任何发动机密封件陈旧或损坏，则机舱空气中可能存在更大的浓度。主要关注的是几种常见液压油的神经毒性副产品，这些副产品可通过飞机发动机中的热分解产生，已显示可引起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、紧凑且可穿戴的设备，以便解决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，该传感器能够监测、预警和检测5至600 ppb范围内的TAP和TCP污染物。

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.