CO2 monitoring in large water environments

Detecting carbon dioxide (CO2) is critically important, as surpassing safe limits has deleterious and
potentially deadly health impacts. New sensor technologies aim to measure CO2 concentration levels frequently and accurately over long periods. On a more macro-scale, the ability to monitor how large bodies of water, such as oceans, act as natural sinks for CO2 is gaining attention. Most current technologies have size, performance, and cost limitations when deployed over large areas and typically require longer operational timeframes with constant human interaction for data collection exercises.

The invention’s novel feature is electrolysis induction for creating and measuring bubbles in environments where CO2 levels need to be detected and analyzed. Through electrolysis, the water in the sensor breaks up into its constituent elements that function as reference bubbles that tend to change in size based on the amount of CO2 present in the liquid solution that gradually diffuses into the bubbles. Via calibration techniques, the change in size becomes the basis for determining CO2 concentration levels.

Concept

• Operates on little power via a compact in situ sensor design.
• Requires no interaction for proper, long-term operations.
• Capable of long-term CO2 monitoring in difficult, hard-to-reach terrains and environments
• Eliminates the need for external gas flow.

Dean Gallagher
(801) 585-0396
dean.gallagher@utah.edu