Industrielle Anwendungen von Luftqualitätssensoren und Sensortypen

Introduction

Air quality sensors play a critical role in industrial environments where pollutants, hazardous gases, and particulate matter can pose serious risks to health, safety, and regulatory compliance. These sensors monitor and analyze air pollutants, enabling timely responses that help maintain a safe working environment, optimize production processes, and reduce environmental impact.

What Is an Air Quality Sensor?

An air quality sensor is a device that detects and measures pollutants in the air. Depending on the design, it can track multiple parameters such as PM2.5, PM10, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), formaldehyde, VOCs, and more. These sensors are widely used in systems such as industrial air purifiers, ventilation systems, and environmental monitoring platforms.

What Do Air Quality Sensors Measure?

Air quality sensors can monitor:

• Particulate Matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10)
• Gases (e.g., CO, CO₂, CH₄, O₃, HCHO, TVOCs, NH₃)
• Environmental Conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, UV index, light levels)

The data collected is often used to calculate the Air Quality Index (AQI), which provides a visual representation of pollution levels.

How Do Air Quality Sensors Work?

Air quality sensors operate based on various physical principles:

• Laser scattering is used for PM detection.
• NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) is used for gases like CO₂ and CH₄.
• Electrochemical sensing detects gases such as O₃, NO₂, and CO.
• Photoionization is used for sensitive VOC detection.

The sensors collect data from the surrounding air and transmit it to a central processor, which then converts the raw data into readable formats such as real-time values or visual graphs.

Types of Air Quality Sensors

Several sensor technologies are used to detect different pollutants. Each type has specific advantages depending on the application and environmental conditions:

1. Electrochemical Sensors
   • Detectable Gases: CO, NO₂, O₃, SO₂, H₂S, Cl₂
   • Applications: Worker safety, confined space monitoring, gas leak detection
   • Features: High sensitivity, low power consumption, suitable for toxic gases
2. NDIR (Non-Dispersive Infrared) Sensors
   • Detectable Gases: CO₂, CH₄, hydrocarbons
   • Applications: HVAC systems, combustion analysis, landfill gas monitoring
   • Features: Stable, long lifespan, accurate measurement of IR-absorbing gases
3. Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) Sensors
   • Detectable Gases: VOCs, ammonia, alcohols, CO
   • Applications: Indoor air quality, industrial hygiene
   • Features: Durable, sensitive to multiple gases, cost-effective
4. Photoionization Detectors (PID)
   • Detectable Gases: VOCs, formaldehyde, benzene
   • Applications: Chemical plants, hazardous waste monitoring
   • Features: Extremely sensitive to low concentrations of VOCs, fast response
5. Laser-Based PM Sensors
   • Detectable Particulates: PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10
   • Applications: Dust and smoke detection in manufacturing, mining, and cleanrooms
   • Features: High-resolution detection of particulate matter, compact, real-time output
6. Optical or UV Spectroscopy Sensors
   • Detectable Gases: NO₂, O₃, SO₂, formaldehyde
   • Applications: Ambient air monitoring, emissions analysis
   • Features: High precision, selective gas detection based on absorption spectra

Indoor vs Outdoor Applications

Indoor Air Quality Sensors are typically compact, easy to install, and suitable for spaces like offices, homes, and production areas. They can monitor air quality in real time and help regulate ventilation systems. Some advanced models even include LCD displays, alarm systems, and touchscreen interfaces.

Outdoor Air Quality Sensors are built with weatherproof designs and radiation shields to protect against environmental effects. They are used in industrial parks, near emission sources, or in urban areas to monitor pollutants like SO₂, NO₂, and particulate matter.

✅ EcoSentec’s Indoor Air Quality Sensors

1. Compact Home Air Quality Sensor

The ES-G334 is a high-precision gas sensor with a large liquid crystal display, designed to continuously monitor gas concentration levels in the air. When concentrations exceed preset thresholds, the device issues audible and visual alarms to help prevent safety incidents such as explosions or poisoning.

Equipped with a premium electrochemical sensor, the ES-G334 offers fast response times, strong anti-interference capability, and high accuracy. Enhanced by EcoSentec’s proprietary compensation algorithm and multi-stage standard gas calibration, it delivers long service life, excellent repeatability, and stable performance—making it ideal for industrial safety monitoring.

2. Workshop PM Sensor

Wall-mounted industrial-grade sensors that measure PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10. They are encased in waterproof, dustproof housing and connect to a central platform via RS485 for remote monitoring.

3. Multifunctional Sensor for Buildings

Monitors a wide range of parameters such as CO₂, temperature, humidity, light, and various gases. Typically wall- or ceiling-mounted with optional RS485 or Wi-Fi connectivity.

4. Composite Sensor for Offices

A high-end device featuring a touchscreen display and support for manual configuration. It offers 24/7 monitoring with alarm functions and email/SMS alerts for critical air conditions.

🌿 EcoSentec’s Outdoor Air Quality Sensors

1. Multi-Gas Sensor with Solar Radiation Shield

Enclosed in a UV-resistant, waterproof housing, this sensor monitors multiple gases like O₃, SO₂, CO, CH₄, NO₂, and HCHO. Ideal for harsh outdoor conditions such as industrial zones or near emission sources.

Advantages of Industrial Air Quality Sensors

• Health & Safety: Early detection of toxic gases and poor air quality prevents health hazards and accidents.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Provides continuous data for automated ventilation and alert systems.
• Multi-Parameter Capability: Simultaneous monitoring of multiple gases and environmental factors.
• Customizable & Scalable: Sensors can be tailored to specific applications and scaled across large industrial zones.
• High Accuracy: Advanced algorithms and calibration techniques ensure precise measurement.

Conclusion

In industrial environments, air quality sensors are essential tools for maintaining safe, healthy, and compliant operations. Whether monitoring indoor workspaces or outdoor emissions, the right sensor technology helps industries detect potential hazards, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve overall air quality. As sensor technologies evolve, they are becoming more precise, affordable, and integrated into smart industrial ecosystems.