Wide Area Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring System for Agricultural Enterprises

This sensor development project is responsive to the societal challenge areas of 1) Climate Change and 2) Sustainable Bioenergy. Hydrogen sulfide emissions from agricultural enterprises, especially those associated with large animal feeding lots, can impact the climate. A monitoring system to better map the spatial and temporal distribution of hydrogen sulfide emissions can be factored into local environmental effects associated with animal feeding operations and their ensuing impact on climate change. Toward sustainable bioenergy, the conversion of biomass to fuel and other products often must contend with hydrogen sulfide emissions. Consequently, monitoring systems for hydrogen sulfide emissions from these operations can improve operations and limit harmful hydrogen sulfide exposure to workers. This hydrogen sulfide sensor satisfies the public interest in two ways: First, an improved hydrogen sulfide sensor array that is low cost and that operates autonomously can assist rural communities in their animal feeding operations. An array of sensors can help animal feeding operators better design their facilities or emission collection systems to lessen the impact of these emissions on neighboring regions. This improves the quality of life in the region. Secondly, Reactives hydrogen sulfide sensor array will help private working lands comply with environmental emissions that can affect climate change, while also improving odors in the region enhancing the quality of the farms.