Design of a Low-Cost Emissions Sensor for Potential Use in Developing Communities

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are key environmental and health risks. In Peru, biomass cookstoves are used by approximately 70% of rural households. This work describes the development of a low-costsensor system, in collaboration with a stove-certification laboratory in Peru, to measure cookstove emissions. Using an open fire cookstove, emissions were compared using the low-cost sensor system (~$300) and a commercial sensor system ($3000) currently used by the laboratory. Emissions trends for PM2.5 and CO were similar for both sensors. However, absolute values of the measurements were not the same, indicative of the importance of sensor calibration. Only the low-cost system included a CO2 sensor, enabling the ability to estimate the combustion efficiency. The development of low-cost sensors has the potential to increase cookstove testing in developing communities to provide insights on how to reduce emissions.