Gas Data Acquisition using Arduino

Abstract: The aim of this project is to acquire gas data using an Arduino microcontroller. This project is part of a bigger project called The electronic nose where mechanical, thermal, electrical, electronic and software parts work together. It is the continuation of a project handled before where mainly the mechanical, thermal and electrical parts were done.   The whole e-Nose project is divided in 4 main subcategories: general mechanical structure, thermal and piston electric circuit, gas sensors and software. My work will be focused in the last two subcategories of the general project.   The sample to be measured is placed inside of a moving cylinder, which will lift up the sample reaching near the sensors and warming it using a thermal resistance, to release more odor. That is where the sensors act, synchronized with the piston, will get the data through the Arduino and sends it to the computer to be analysed. The sensors will be activated using an Arduino Mega 2560 and transferred to the computer to be analysed with MatLab.   To control the measurement, a push button, a LCD display and a LED will be placed; having like this a full control of the project and an easy interface for the user. Six gas sensors will be used, which will be enough to be able to differentiate between different kind of gases. With such variety it is possible to categorize between combustible gas (methane, propane, LPG etc.), NH3, alcohol and more gases.   The e-Nose will be able to measure different gases in more than ways depending on the program we choose. For a more accurate response, more sensors would be needed using a sensor fusion method or more accurate sensors.