In this study, the performances of H2S, NH3, and HCl sensors for real-time monitoring in small emission facilities (4, 5 grades in Korea) were evaluated at high concentration conditions of those gases. And the proper approach for the collection of reliable measurement data by sensors was suggested through finding out the effect on sensor performances according to changes in temperature and humidity (relative humidity, RH) settings. In addition, an assessment on sensor data correction considering the effects produced by environmental settings was conducted. The effects were tested in four different conditions of temperature and humidity. The sensor performances (reproducibility, precision, lower detection limit (LDL), and linearity) were good for all three sensors. The intercept (ADC0) values for all three sensors were good for the changes of temperature and humidity conditions. The variation in the slope value of the NH3 sensor showed the highest value, and this was followed by the HCl, H2S sensors. The results of this study can be helpful for data collection by enabling the more reliable and precise measurements of concentrations measured by sensors.

Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors based on the light scattering principle measure the concentration of particles by the change of scattering intensity after light is irradiated onto the particles. It has been reported that when the relative humidity is high, water vapor may cause the expansion of airborne particles and affect the accuracy of the light scattering method for PM measurement, but it has also been shown that the effect of humidity is not significant or even negligible. Therefore, to determine the effect of humidity on the Plantower PMS7003 light scattering sensor, in this study, a BAM1020 (Beta Attenuation Monitoring) was installed alongside to continuously monitor the ambient atmospheric PM concentration for approximately four weeks. The sensors collected data at 10-minute intervals, resulting in a 1-hour average for comparative analysis. To accurately measure humidity, the performance of the Arduino + DHT22 humidity sensor was also pre-evaluated using a series of saturated salt solutions. The humidity was grouped into five intervals and analyzed by visual analysis. The results confirmed that there was no significant correlation between PM2.5 differences and humidity, which were randomly and uniformly distributed around the mean. However, since in the very low and high concentration ranges based on the beta-ray monitor measurements, the difference between the light scattering sensor PM10 measurement and the reference value is much larger than the difference between the PM2.5 and the reference value., there is an additional need to investigate the appropriate correction method for dust season or PM10. The results show that the outcomes of the light scattering sensor are more influenced by particle size and concentration than by humidity.

The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the effects of temperature and relative humidity on two electrochemical sensors measuring hydrogen sulfide and ammonia using a laboratory testing system for various sensors, and (ii) to propose a calibration method for those concentrations to collect more reliable monitoring data. The effect of temperature and relative humidity was tested under three different conditions, respectively. The linearities measured data under all different conditions for the relative humidity and temperature were excellent, indicating more than 0.99 of R2 for both odor sensors. Under the condition of zero concentration, baselines (intercepts) at zero increased with increasing relative humidity for both hydrogen sulfide and ammonia sensors. The rate of gas concentration according to ADC variation (slopes) increased with increasing relative humidity about only the hydrogen sulfide sensor. In this study, slope, and intercept are utilized for calibration of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia concentration, and the reliability of the data of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia sensors is further enhanced by the relational expression obtained by this paper.

The study analyzed performance assessment factors of VOCs odor sensors from 3 different manufacturers, such as minimum detection limit, humidity stability and temperature stability. Through the minimum detection limit assessment, it was found that a VOCs sensor was able to detect TVOCs at the concentration of 5 ppb. The standard deviation ratio was over 10%, and it increased as humidity rose. The range of temperatures in which the VOCs odor sensor using photoionization could operate was between 25oC and 40oC, and the sensor output values were unstable at low temperatures. In terms of the temperature stability of the metal oxide semiconductor sensor for measuring complex odors, the sensor output values dropped considerably to 0~10oC, and were similar to the concentrations of odorous gases generated at 25oC. The results of the test of VOCs odor sensor outputs after temperature and humidity pre-treatment revealed that the respective stable output values at 50% humidity and 25oC were similar to the concentrations of manufactured odors. In terms of temperature and humidity stability of the VOCs odor sensors, all target VOCs substances had stable output values at 25oC to 40oC and at 50% to 65% relative humidities, and unstable values at low temperatures and high humidities. Therefore, the implementation of pre-treatment systems including temperature and humidity correction (25~40oC, 50~65% RH) is required for the stable use of VOCs odor sensors.

The study analyzed performance assessment factors of odor sensors from 4 different manufacturers, including minimum detection limit, humidity stability and temperature stability. In the minimum detection limit assessment, only one electrochemical gas sensor was able to detect ammonia and hydrogen sulfide at the concentration of 5 ppb. The standard deviation ratio was over 10%, and it increased as humidity rose. The range of temperatures in which the electrochemical and photoionization gas sensors could function well was between 25oC and 40oC, and the sensor output values were unstable at low temperatures. Regarding the temperature stability of the metal oxide semiconductor sensor for measuring complex odors, the sensor output values dropped considerably to 0~10oC, and were similar to the concentrations of odor gases generated at 25oC. The results of the test of odor sensor outputs after temperature and humidity pre-treatment revealed that the respective stable output values at 50% humidity and 25oC were similar to the concentrations of manufactured odors. In terms of temperature and humidity stability of the NH3, H2S and Complex odor sensors, all target substances had stable output values at 25~40oC and 50~65% relative humidity, and unstable values at low temperatures and high humidity. Therefore, implementing pretreatment systems including temperature and humidity correction (25~40oC, 50~65% RH) is necessary for the stable use of odor sensors.

4 차 암모늄염을 형성할 수 있는 공중합체들 poly[(vinylbenzyl chloride)-co-(n-butyl acrylate)-co-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)]와 poly[(4-vinylpyridine)-co-(n-butyl acrylate)-co-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)]를 고분자막 습도센서의 감습재료로 사용하기 위하여 합성하였다. 습도센서는 30%RH, 60%RH 그리고 90%RH에서 평균 저항 값은 각각 8.6 M Ω, 310 kΩ 그리고 12 kΩ을 보여 주었다. 또한 히스테리시스는 ±3%RH 안에서 나타났으며, 온도의존성 계수는 -0.37~-0.407RH/˚C이었다. 감습막의 조성에서 공중합체 중 n-BA와 HEMA의 도입은 저항을 증가시키는 요인이 되나 기판과의 접착성은 크게 향상되었다. 33%RH에서 85%RH로 또는 역으로 변화할 때의 응답속도는 54초이며 수중에 2시간 침적 후 저항의 변화는 +0.2%RH 이내에서 존재하였다.

고분자막 습도센서의 감습재료로 사용하기 위하여 vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC), methyl methacrylate (MMA) 그리고 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HPMA)의 여러 가지 조성의 공중합체를 합성하여, 이를 전극에 도포하고 N, N, N', N'-tetraethylene diamine으로 4차 암모늄화 시켜 최종 습도센서를 제조하였다. 상대습도에 따른 저항 변화를 측정한 결과, 공중합체에서 MMA의 조성이 증가하면 저항이 증가하였으며, HEMA의 도입은 친수성기의 작용으로 저항의 증가는 크지 않았으며 강습막의 기판과의 접착성은 크게 향상되었다 또한 VBC/MMA/HEMA=80/10/10의 경우 히스테리시스는 ±2%RH 안에서 나타났으며, 온도의존성 계수는 -0.42~-0.46%RH/˚C이었다. 30%RH, 60%RH 그리고 90%RH에서의 저항 값은 각각 3.0MΩ,,200kΩ 그리고 9kΩ 이었다