BTEX compounds identification by means of gas sensors arrays

Abstract

BTEX compounds can cause a threat to environment and human health. For this reason measurement devices are needed for rapid identification of such pollutants. The paper presents the results of recognition of mixtures of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes in humid air by means of two gas sensor arrays and linear discriminant analysis. Measurements were conducted during stabilization/solidification processes of contaminated soils. High classification ratios were obtained for both arrays (I: 88%–94%; II: 94%–96%). Improvement of identification was achieved when two copies of every sensor were included in analysis – classification rates reached 97.1–100%.