Development of Buoy Mounted Hydrocarbon Vapor Sensors for Use in Local Area Pollution Surveillance Systems.

摘要

A low cost system for the rapid detection of small quantities of freshly spilled oil has been developed. This unit uses two Taguchi Gas Sensors (semiconductor, stannic oxide on a support), one of which responds to oil vapors and also to engine exhaust. The other sensor is protected by a semipermeable membrane (rubber dental dam) which has little or no effect on the response of the sensor to carbon monoxide yet is able to retard greatly the response to hydrocarbon vapors. The alarm logic is arranged so that an alarm is signalled when the uncovered sensor responds and the covered sensor does not. As a result, a high degree of specificity of the sensor system for oil spills has been achieved. Operation of the system for several months on the sea wall next to the ship channel in Galveston has shown a freedom from false alarms and good baseline stability. Additional studies with the system are recommended. (Author)