Field rugged sensitive hydrogen peroxide sensor based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS)
This paper reports the development and initial testing of a field portable sensor for monitoring hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and water (H2O) vapor concentrations during building decontamination after accidental or purposeful exposure to hazardous biological materials. During decontamination, a sterilization system fills ambient air with water and peroxide vapor to near saturation. The peroxide concentration typically exceeds several hundred ppm for tens of minutes, and subsequently diminishes below 1 ppm. The H2O2/ H2O sensor is an adaptation of a portable gas sensing platform based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology. By capitalizing on its spectral resolution, the TDLAS analyzer isolates H2O2 and H2O spectral lines to measure both vapors using a single laser source. It offers a combination of sensitivity, specificity, fast response, dynamic range, linearity, ease of operation and calibration, ruggedness, and portability not available in alternative H2O2 detectors. The H2O2 range is approximately 0 5,000 ppm. The autonomous and rugged instrument provides real time data. It has been tested in a closed loop liquid/vapor equilibrium apparatus and by comparison against electrochemical sensors.
Defense Commercial Sensing