Carbon Dioxide Monitoring.
Abstract
The program was initiated to establish the feasibility of applying bioluminescent technology for monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO2) in life-support systems for divers, swimmers and underwater habitats. Experiments were performed to obtain bioluminescent cultures which are sensitive to levels of carbon dioxide as low as 81 ppm, in an 80% helium and 20% oxygen (life-support) gas mixture--at hydrostatic pressures up to 1000 psig. Fourteen luminescent cultures were tested under conditions of varying pressures, gas proportions, sample sizes, and flow rates. Strong responses to low concentrations of CO2 were exhibited by five cultures--thereby demonstrating the feasibility of employing a luminescent detection system in the environments of interest. The luminescent responses were sensed by a photomultiplier tube. The photomultiplier output was fed through a log amplifier to a strip-chart recorder. This detection system was more than adequate for laboratory measurements; however, the requirements for a more compact system were also examined. It appears that--by using a solid-state sensor and integrated-circuit electronics--a small, low-power, portable unit can be developed and constructed. This unit would provide 'fail-safe' monitoring of CO2 in underwater life-support systems. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 14, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0765342
Entities
People
- John J. Kalvinskas
- Philip S. Biernacki