An optical fiber sensor based on absorption spectroscopy for carbon monoxide detection

An optical fiber sensor based on absorption spectroscopy has been developed for the determination of carbon monoxide (CO) in the harsh environment. Conventional gas sensor used to detect carbon monoxide concentration is often difficult to achieve high sensitivity, selectivity, and specificity in presence of a mixture of gases. This sensor uses DFB LD as light source, low cost near-infrared components, and differential optical absorption spectroscopy. The experimental results indicated that the sensor has been developed to operate with high sensitivity and stability so it does not suffer from other gases interferences. The lower limit of detection for the sensor was found to be not less than 50 ppm for carbon monoxide.

I. Introduction

Carbon monoxide is one of the most common and dangerous pollutants present in the environment. It has been termed as a silent killer because of its colorless, odorless and non-irritating. Research has shown that it is a threat to human health and the environment. The poisoning level of carbon monoxide is proportional to the concentration and time. The man will be a slight headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea when he is in the air in which the concentration of the CO reaches 100 ppm more than two hours. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels-gas, oil, coal and wood used in boilers, engines, oil burners, gas fires, water heaters, solid fuel appliances and open fires. Therefore, it is needed to fit CO gas sensor in these occasions in order to prevent CO poisoning.