[en] The measure of annoyance odours from sewage treatment, landfill and agricultural practise has become highly significant in the control and prevention of odorous emissions from existing facilities and is crucial for new planning applications. Current methods (such as GC-MS analysis, H2S and NH3 measurements) provide an accurate description of chemical compositions or act as surrogates for odour strength, but tell us very little about the perceived effect, whereas olfactometry gives the right human response but is very subjectivity and expensive. The use of non-specific sensor arrays may offer an objective and on-line instrument for assessing olfactive annoyance. Results have shown that sensor array systems can discriminate between different odour sources (wastewater, livestock and landfill). The response patterns from these sources can be significantly different and that the intensity of sensor responses is proportional to the concentration of the volatiles. The correlation of the sensors responses against odour strenghts have also shown that reasonable fits can be obtained for a range of odour concentrations (100 - 800.000 ou m3). However, the influence of environmental fluctuations (humidity and temperature) on sensor baselines still remains an obstacle, as well as the need for periodic calibration of the sensory system and the choice of a suitable gas for different environmental odours.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Stuetz, R. M.
Nicolas, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Surveillance de l'environnement
Language :
English
Title :
Sensor arrays : an inspired idea or an objective measurement of environmental odours ?
Publication date :
2001
Event name :
1st IWA International conference on odour and VOCs : measurement, regulation and control techniques
Event place :
Sydney, Australia
Event date :
25-28 March 2001
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Odour and Volatile Organic Compounds: Measurement, Regulation and Control Techniques