CO2 sensor
Carbon dioxide
Reliable real-time
data on CO2
GasPlug TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN
Where is it found?
CO2 is a result of normal cell function when it is breathed out of the body. Besides, it is an essential element in photosynthesis, the process by which plants make food and energy. Levels of atmospheric CO2 have increased since the Industrial Revolution.
The primary causes are deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, for electricity, heat production and for transportation (cars, ships, planes, etc.). It could also be formed, as a secondary pollutant, by CO oxidation.
Why is it harmful?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the fourth most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere being the main Greenhouse gas. It is an odourless, colourless, and non-toxic gas although its emission is an environmental global problem, being the main gas pollutant contributing to climate change.
Besides, it is a contributor to acid rain, and ocean acidification and could displace oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2). CO2 is removed from the atmosphere when it is absorbed by plants and algae as part of the biological carbon cycle.
CO2 cartridge
The CO2 cartridge has a built-in non-dispersive infrared sensor (NDIR) ideal for measuring typical atmospheric concentrations for climate change applications (300-400 ppm) as well as high concentrations from industrial processes (until 5,000 ppm). The cartridge includes an automatic baseline correction (ABC) algorithm to background levels to maintain long-term stability.
Technical specifications
- Measurement range: concentration range measured by the sensor.
- Resolution: smallest unit of measurement that can be indicated by the sensor.
- Operating temperature range: temperature interval at which the sensor is rated to operate safely and provide measurements. (**) In PM sensor Type A: -40 to 50ºC with heater (more information on this version on request).
- Operating RH range: humidity interval at which the sensor is rated to operate safely and provide measurements.
- Recommended RH range: Recommended relative humidity range for optimal sensor performance. Continuous exposure outside the recommended range may damage the cartridge.
- Operating life: time period during which the sensor can operate effectively and accurately under normal conditions.
- Guarantee range: concentration range covered by Kunak's guarantee.
- LOD (Limit Of Detection): measured at laboratory conditions at 20ºC and 50% RH. The limit of detection is the minimum concentration that can be detected as significantly different at zero gas concentration, calculated according to the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660.
- Repeatability: measured at laboratory conditions at 20ºC and 50% RH. Closeness of the agreement between the results of successive measurements of the same measure carried out under the same conditions of measurement, calculated according to the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660.
- Response time: time needed by the sensor to reach 90% of the final stable value.
- Typical precision - R2: statistics obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments in field test between -10 to +30ºC at different locations. (*) For the type B PM sensor, the expected error for PM10 is higher in presence of coarse particles.
- Typical accuracy: for criteria pollutants is the average Mean Absolute Error (MAE) obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments for 1 to 8 months field test between -10 to +30ºC in different countries. For other pollutants is the expected error of the measurement at the reading.
- DQO-Typical U(exp): Data Quality Objetive expresed as the Expanded Uncertainity in the Limit Value obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments for 1 to 8 months field test between -10 to +30ºC in different countries, calculated according to the European Air Quality Directive 2024/2881 and from the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660. (*) For the type B PM sensor, the expected error for PM10 is higher in presence of coarse particles.
- Typical intra-model variability: calculated as the standard deviation of the three sensor means in 1 to 8 months field test between -10 to +30ºC in different countries.
A, B, C, D superindex: the super indexes refer to different types of cartridges related to the same target pollutant but with different technical specifications.
