Types and Installation of Carbon Dioxide Sensors

Aug 01, 2023

Types of Carbon Dioxide Sensors

As people increasingly prioritize environmental and health concerns, the demand for fresh air systems, air conditioning, and other air purification devices is rising. Currently, the penetration rate of such air purification equipment in commercial buildings and residential spaces remains relatively low, indicating significant market potential in this field. In 2021, the global market sales of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sensors reached $670 million, with an estimated growth to $1.1 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%.

Carbon dioxide sensors can be categorized based on their operating principles, including thermal conductivity, catalytic, semiconductor, solid electrolyte, electrochemical, and infrared types.

Among them, infrared CO2 sensors are currently the mainstream type. These sensors work by detecting the absorption of specific infrared radiation wavelengths by CO2, which reduces the transmitted radiation energy through the measurement chamber. The concentration of CO2 in the measured gas is then calculated based on the strength of the detected radiation energy. Infrared CO2 sensors exhibit excellent selectivity, independence from oxygen levels, high accuracy, and strong stability, making them widely applicable in air conditioning, fresh air systems, and air quality monitoring devices.

Installation and Usage of Carbon Dioxide Sensors

When selecting a carbon dioxide sensor, the first step is to determine its measurement range. For typical office environments, a sensor with a range of 0-5000 ppm is suitable.

During the installation process, position the sensor on the wall to provide accurate information for ventilation systems. Place the sensor at a distance of approximately 0.3 to 1.8 meters from the floor, which ensures better exposure to ambient air while preventing the sensor from being affected by high humidity (as CO2 sensors are not waterproof).

Additionally, the operational temperature range of the sensor is -10°C to +50°C. Using the sensor outside this temperature range may lead to measurement errors, so it is essential to consider the operating environment temperature.

In public spaces such as parks and commercial buildings, carbon dioxide sensors can control the activation of fresh air systems based on indoor CO2 concentrations. By using the CO2 sensor's alarm prompts, an intelligent fresh air control subsystem can automatically adjust the indoor air exchange rate to maintain a fresh environment. This not only ensures the occupants' well-being and mental alertness but also saves energy consumption in air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Conclusion

In the context of the carbon reduction initiative, the journey towards reduced carbon emissions is challenging. With the continuous advancement of smart cities and smart living, the increasing demand for indoor air quality monitoring is driving the rise in carbon dioxide sensor demand. Sensing is the foundation of intelligence, and to adapt to the trend of consumer market upgrades, gas sensors will gradually move towards low-cost, functional, integrated, miniaturized, and intelligent solutions, resulting in accelerated iteration. It is believed that in the future, CO2 environmental monitoring will be integrated with other systems in various domains.

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