I'm looking for a document with a description of a method to measure CO and CO2 concentration on a gas. I found some information about how to do it with infra red absorption, but not enough information to run a test. I also saw something using a wire and a wheatstone bridge, but don't know what king of wire was that. Is there another way?
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3 Answers
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From my brief Googling, it looks like you'll be better off purchasing an existing CO2 and CO monitor. If you're trying to measure high concentrations, then you'll have a harder time of it. You haven't said much about your project, so I don't know if you're trying to go back to the physics of it, design your own circuit board with that feature, or just get the measurements of indoor air.
CO meters are available for wall plug-in for as little as $25. You could either try to look up the sensor, or just tap the LED display and let it do its own thing. The LED display shouldn't be too hard to reverse-engineer.
CO2 meters are harder to find and more expensive ($100-250), but they're also available. They're used in air quality/HVAC monitoring for people and for plants, as well as in taking higher concentration measurements for toxicity analysis (ex. storage of dry ice - you don't want to suffocate by opening the closet door!) or for making carbonated beverages. Wikipedia has an article on non-dispersive infrared measurement techniques.
There were also CO2meter.com has sensor systems with I2C interfaces (datasheet) available for as little as $99, which looks like a good price.
A silver halide system can be used to make the measurement if the NDIR systems won't work for your application, and a Wheatstone bridge would be required to measure the tiny resistance, but, again, if you're going for accuracy, you'll probably be better off purchasing a commercial solution. If you're trying to manufacture your own sensor system for sale, you'll need to do your own research.
answered Sep 8, 2010 at 15:18
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\$\begingroup\$ Well, I did a brief Googling too, but I didn't have the correct words to look for, now you gave me something to search! Many thanks! This project is to measure CO and CO2 concentration on combustion gases. Looks like this sensor (alphasense.com/alphasense_sensors/c_carbon_monoxide.html) can do the CO portion of the process! \$\endgroup\$ Commented Sep 8, 2010 at 16:10
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I would take apart a CO detector and look for the sensor. Look up the datasheet, etc.
As for CO2 concentration, I'm not sure.
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SparkFun has a nice CO sensor for $7.25: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9403. They even have a breakout board for $0.95 that simplifies hooking it up: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8891
answered Sep 6, 2012 at 23:32