Distributed Optical Fiber Sensor Cable for Air Quality (Air-Sense)

Enclosed animal feed lot facilities require effective ventilation systems that are synchronized with accurately measured temperature, humidity, and gas emissions (such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide). Reliable sensors that accurately measure these parameters will contribute to a healthy environment for animal growth and for workers, while saving the energy and cost of over-ventilation. Current systems are of two types: state-of-the-art instruments for field use are precise and accurate, but are limited by their cost and size, and their demands on power and labor. The second category consists of cost-effective test kits and point sensors that perform single measurements with acceptable accuracy and sensitivity, but they are ineffective in livestock operations, which limit their use in agriculture applications. It is extremely important to have continuous, reliable, and autonomous monitoring of breathable air supply in livestock environments. Systems must enable better control of ventilation rates, ensuring adherence to regulatory contaminant limits. Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) will advance the development of the Air-Sense, building on the successful results of our Phase I studies, resulting in a high-performance, reliable, real-time monitoring device, with a minimal number of components for simultaneous, multi-analyte monitoring, to meet the air quality guidelines for livestock operations.