Imagen de recurso
CH4 sensor

Methane

Reliable real-time
data on CH4

GasPlug TECHNOLOGY | PATENTED DESIGN

Ammonia
Imagen de recurso

Where is it found?

Methane (CH4) is the most abundant organic molecule in the atmosphere, being one of the most important greenhouse gases. It is colourless, odourless and insoluble in water. The main anthropogenic emission sources are due to the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.

CH4 emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices, land use and solid waste landfills. Other natural sources include reduced, anoxic portions of wetlands and portions of ecosystems undergoing organic decomposition.

Why is it harmful?

High levels of CH4 can result in vision problems, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, and headache. In severe cases, there may be changes in breathing and heart rate, balance problems, numbness, and unconsciousness.

If exposure is large or continues for a longer period, it can kill. CH4 contributes to the formation of tropospheric ozone and particulate pollution.

Imagen de recurso

CH4 cartridge

The methane cartridge can contain two types of sensors designed for different applications and measurement ranges:

  • Type A: is a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor specific for the detection of CH4 leaks in industrial processes. This sensor has a detection limit of 1000 ppm and can measure concentrations up to 50,000 ppm.
  • Type B: is a sensor based on MEMS technology to monitor fugitive measurements from very low concentrations (<100 ppm) to high concentrations of CH4, with a measurement range from 60 to 300,000 ppm. Its use is not recommended for background environments or continuous CH4 concentrations.

Both cartridges include an automatic baseline correction (ABC) algorithm to background levels, to maintain long-term stability.

Technical specifications

Type
NDIR (Non dispersive infrared) (A)
MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) (B)
Unit of measurement
mg/m3, ppm
Measurement range(1)
1,000 - 50,000 ppm (5% vol) (A)
60 – 300,000 ppm (30% vol) (B)
Resolution(2)
100 ppm(A)
1 ppm(B)
Operating temperature range(3)
-20 to 50ºC(A)
-35 to 70ºC(B)
Operating RH range(4)
0 to 99 %RH
Recommended RH range(4)
0 to 95 %RH(A)
0 to 99 %RH(B)
Operating life(5)
> 4 years
Guarantee range(6)
100% vol
Limit of Detection (LOD)(7)
1,000 ppm(A)
60 ppm(B)
Repeatability(8)
500 ppm(A)
Response time(9)
< 90 sec(A)
< 10 sec(B)
Typical accuracy(11) (12)
±3 % of F.S. (A)
±30 ppm + 10% of reading(B)
Typical precision R2 (10)
-
Typical slope(10)
-
Typical intercept (a)(10)
-
DQO - Typical U(exp)(13)
-
Typical Intra-model variability(14)
< 500 ppm(A)
  1. Measurement range: concentration range measured by the sensor.
  2. Resolution: the smallest unit of measurement that can be indicated by the sensor.
  3. Operating temperature range: temperature interval at which the sensor is rated to operate safely and provide measurements.
  4. Operating RH range (Recommended RH range): humidity interval at which the sensor is rated to operate safely and provide measurements.
  5. Operating life: lifetime of the sensor at normal conditions.
  6. Guarantee range: limit covered by the guarantee.
  7. 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, based on the metric from the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660-1:2022.
  8. 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, based on the metric from the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660-1:2022.
  9. Response time: time needed by the sensor to reach 90% of the final stable value.
  10. Statistical metric: statistics obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments for 1 to 8 months field test between -10 to +30ºC in different countries. (*) The expected error for PM10 is higher in the presence of coarse particles.
  11. Mean Absolute Error: it is the average mean absolute error (MAE) obtained between the device hourly measurements and reference instruments for 1 to 8 months of field test between -10 to +30ºC in different countries.
  12. Error: it is the error of the sensor at reading measurement or full scale.
  13. DQO-Typical U(exp): Data Quality Objective expressed as the Expanded Uncertainty in the Limit Value obtained between hourly measurements of the device and the reference instruments for 1 to 8 months field test between -10 to +30ºC in different countries, based on the metric from the European Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC and from the Technical Specification CEN/TS 17660-1:2022. (*) The expected error for PM10 is higher in the presence of coarse particles.
  14. 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.

It is essential to have an instrument that is capable of accurately measuring pollution levels and providing reliable results to make informed decisions on air quality and public health.

Javier Fernández

CEO & Co-founder - Kunak