Case Study

Environmental monitoring in the port of Cotonou using a Kunak AIR Pro stations network

Port of Cotonou

Need

The port of Cotonou, one of the most important in West Africa, plays a vital role in the regional economy. This port handles about 90% of Benin´´ foreign trade and contributes significantly to the country’s GDP. With an annual handling of 8 million tons of cargo, it is the fourth largest port in West Africa, after Lagos, Abidjan and Pointe-Noire.

The intense activity in the port of Cotonou generates a considerable amount of pollutant emissions into the air. On the one hand, ships that dock or pass through the port and, on the other, the loading and unloading of goods themselves, emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and suspended particles, which are harmful to human health and the environment.

The port of Cotonou, in its commitment to environmental responsibility, required a system that would allow them to monitor, manage and analyze in real time the environmental impact of these activities throughout the area. For this reason, the Port Authority of Cotonou contacted Airscan in search of a solution to monitor air quality in the port environment using a network of sensors.
The Kunak stations network allows air quality to be monitored throughout the port area and in nearby communities, helping to mitigate the environmental impact of port activities and protecting the health of the population and workers against possible pollution episodes.
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Solution

Deployment of a network of 15 Kunak AIR Pro air quality stations in strategic locations in the port of Cotonou. These stations, powered by solar energy, are capable of measuring a variety of polluting gases and suspended particles. In addition, they are equipped with anemometers that allow the wind speed and direction to be controlled and to control the dispersion of pollutants and determine their direction and origin.

This monitoring network records key parameters in real time, which makes it possible to configure early warnings when anomalies are detected or certain pre-established thresholds are exceeded, thus facilitating a quick and effective response by the authorities to minimize possible pollution episodes or stop those activities that are causing them.

Benefits
  • Creation of an environmental monitoring network.
  • Emission control during port operations.
  • Real-time information for decision-making.
  • Visualization and analysis of air quality throughout the port area.
  • Control of environmental impact on nearby communities.
  • Alert system for exceeding pre-established limits.
  • Health and environmental protection.

Results

With the advanced Kunak AIR Pro station network, the port of Cotonou can now monitor air quality throughout the port area and in nearby communities. This makes it possible to prevent and mitigate the environmental impact of port activities, protecting the health of the population and workers against possible pollution episodes.

The data collected by the Kunak AIR Pro stations and weather sensors is integrated into the Kunak AIR Cloud platform. This integration facilitates a detailed analysis of the evolution of air quality.

The Port of Cotonou’s advanced monitoring network records key parameters and issues early warnings when anomalies are detected or certain pre-set thresholds are exceeded. This facilitates quick and effective decision-making to minimize the negative effects of pollution, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable environment.

Thanks to the data collected by the sensor network, it is possible to make informed decisions that help them improve air quality and protect the health of their employees and nearby communities and verify the effectiveness of the control measures implemented in the port.

How to control the impact of port activity on air quality?

Download the technical report [PDF] on the air quality monitoring network deployed in the ports of the Balearic Islands.

Project details

Customer: Port of Cotonou

User: Port of Cotonou

Location: Cotonou, Benin

Sector:

Parameters:

  • Particulate matter (PM1, PM2,5, PM10)
  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
  • Ozone (O3)
  • Wind speed and direction
  • Temperature, humidity, pressure and dew point

Solutions

  • AIR ProProfessional air quality monitoring station
    Air quality monitor

    AIR Pro

    The most accurate air quality monitoring station

    SENSOR-BASED | BEST AVAILABLE ACCURACY

    Benefits

    • Multi-pollutant
    • Smart cartridge system
    • Fully autonomous
    • Real-time data
    • Proven accuracy
    See more
  • AIR CloudAir quality software
    Air quality software - Kunak AIR Cloud

    AIR Cloud

    Multipurpose air quality software for professionals

    REAL-TIME DATA | ALWAYS UPDATED

    Benefits

    • Secure and condifential
    • Air quality reporting
    • Advanced data analysis and visualisation
    • Reliable data guaranteed
    • Data sharing and integration
    See more
  • Particulate MatterReliable real-time data on suspended particles

    Particulate Matter

    Reliable information about particulate matter

    GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

    Specs

    • Optical particle counter
    • Up to R2 >0.9
    • Range: 0-1,000 | 0-2,000 | 0-10,000 ppb
    • Resolution: 1 μg/m3
    • 24 months of operating life
    See more
  • Carbon monoxideReliable real-time data on CO
    Carbon-monoxide

    Carbon monoxide

    Reliable information about carbon monoxide

    GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

    Specs

    • Electrochemical
    • R2 >0.85
    • Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
    • Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
    • 24 months of operating life
    See more
  • Sulphur dioxideReliable real-time data on SO2
    Sulphur_dioxide

    Sulphur dioxide

    Reliable information about sulphur dioxide

    GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

    Specs

    • Electrochemical
    • R2 >0.7
    • Range: 0-10,000 ppb
    • Resolution: 1 ppb
    • 24 months of operating life
    See more
  • Nitrogen dioxideReliable real-time data on NO2
    Nitreogen_dioxide

    Nitrogen dioxide

    Reliable information about nitrogen dioxide

    GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

    Specs

    • Electrochemical
    • R2 >0.85
    • Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
    • Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
    • 24 months of operating life
    See more
  • OzoneReliable real-time data on O3
    Ozone

    Ozone

    Reliable information about ozone

    GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

    Specs

    • Electrochemical
    • R2 >0.9
    • Range: 0-2,000 ppb
    • Resolution: 1 ppb
    • 24 months of operating life
    See more
Air quality monitor

AIR Pro

The most accurate air quality monitoring station

SENSOR-BASED | BEST AVAILABLE ACCURACY

Benefits

  • Multi-pollutant
  • Smart cartridge system
  • Fully autonomous
  • Real-time data
  • Proven accuracy
See more
Air quality software - Kunak AIR Cloud

AIR Cloud

Multipurpose air quality software for professionals

REAL-TIME DATA | ALWAYS UPDATED

Benefits

  • Secure and condifential
  • Air quality reporting
  • Advanced data analysis and visualisation
  • Reliable data guaranteed
  • Data sharing and integration
See more

Particulate Matter

Reliable information about particulate matter

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs

  • Optical particle counter
  • Up to R2 >0.9
  • Range: 0-1,000 | 0-2,000 | 0-10,000 ppb
  • Resolution: 1 μg/m3
  • 24 months of operating life
See more
Carbon-monoxide

Carbon monoxide

Reliable information about carbon monoxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs

  • Electrochemical
  • R2 >0.85
  • Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
  • Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
  • 24 months of operating life
See more
Sulphur_dioxide

Sulphur dioxide

Reliable information about sulphur dioxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs

  • Electrochemical
  • R2 >0.7
  • Range: 0-10,000 ppb
  • Resolution: 1 ppb
  • 24 months of operating life
See more
Nitreogen_dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide

Reliable information about nitrogen dioxide

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs

  • Electrochemical
  • R2 >0.85
  • Range: 0-12,000 ppb (Type A) | 0-500 ppm (Type B)
  • Resolution: 1 ppb (Type A) | 0.01 ppm (Type B)
  • 24 months of operating life
See more
Ozone

Ozone

Reliable information about ozone

GASPLUG TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Specs

  • Electrochemical
  • R2 >0.9
  • Range: 0-2,000 ppb
  • Resolution: 1 ppb
  • 24 months of operating life
See more