IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 5 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)

ANALYISATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL IN CLOSED ENVIRONMENT

*Abhishek Agarwal, Ravi Kumar

Email: abhisep@gmail.com, ravikr3108@gmail.com

Abstract —In this research, we measures CO level in parts per million (ppm) with the help of CO
measuring device in the closed environment i.e. in a poorly ventilated room. After exceeding permissible
CO levels in closed environment, the measuring device will try to remove CO gas. If it’s unable to remove
CO from the closed surrounding, in that condition the measuring device will give a warning alarm alerting
the user. The future application of this device would help to detect harmful CO gas in closed environment
and decrease morbidity rates among people staying in closed environmental conditions for long duration of
time.
Key Words - Carbon monoxide poisoning, Carboxyhaemoglobin, Poor ventilation and Parts per million.
INTRODUCTION
Concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) is responsible for a large number of accidental domestic
poisoning and deaths throughout the world. CO is a poisonous, tasteless, colourless, odourless and non irritating
gas. Due to these properties CO is difficult to detect by human being [3]. Moreover, CO is often mixed with other
gases and it is slightly lighter than air. It is produce by incomplete combustion of organic material due to
insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2). Brain and heart may be severely
affected after CO exposure with carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) levels exceeding 20% [2]. Damage occurs because
the affinity of haemoglobin for CO is 210 times higher than for oxygen [2]. If concentration of CO level exceed
more than 100 ppm, it can be dangerous for human being. Symptoms of CO poisoning may include headache,
sweating, dizziness, dim vision, tremor and loss of consciousness [1].
Symptoms of CO concentration over time:
Table-1: CO concentration over time [8] [9]
CO (ppm) Time Symptoms
35 8 hour Headache and dizziness
200 2-3 hour Mild headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea
400 1-2 hour loss of judgment, serious headache, sweating
800 45 minutes Unconscious within 2 hours. Dizziness, nausea and convulsions. Death within 2-3
hours
1600 20 minutes Headache, tachycardia, dizziness and nausea. Death within 1 hour
3200 5-10 minutes Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 30 minutes
6400 1-2 minutes Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death less than 20 minutes
12800 1-3 minutes Unconsciousness. Death within 3 minutes
Above table shows clearly, how much concentration of CO in ppm is harmful for human being. The table also
shows that, with increase in time duration it becomes more harmful. CO poisoning with immediate death occurs
when the level of concentration of gas increases up to 12800 ppm and there is poor ventilation [16].
The news reported in a newspaper, The Hindu on May 2, 2007, found two youth dead in a garage under
mysterious circumstances. The accident happened in Ayanavaram Chennai on Tuesday, May 01, 2007. According
to the report of the investigating officer, based on the tests of Forensic Sciences Department confirmed that two
young men had died by inhaling the carbon monoxide produced by incomplete combustion of fuel exhaust by the
vehicle [15].
The death of two Byzantine emperors was related to CO produced by the burning of coal in braziers. Braziers
are the usual method of indoor heating during winter [4].

International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology

http://www.irjmst.com Page 60
IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 5 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)

METHODOLOGY
To overcome these harmful effects of CO gas, we propose to make a device by which could measure CO
concentrations in closed environment or in poorly ventilated room. This device is designed to measure the CO
concentration level in closed environments and tries to remove toxic gas CO from the surroundings.

Fig-1: Block Diagram of CO measuring device.

First, we placed the CO measuring device in the room where we need to measure CO concentration. CO
measuring device is used for measuring concentration of CO level in closed surroundings and try to decrease its
concentration by making the user aware. CO measuring device employs gas sensor for measuring CO
concentration and requires 5 V DC power supply by the help of voltage controller. Sensor measures the CO
concentration in the closed surrounding with 20-2000 ppm. The output of sensor works as an input for peripheral
interface controller (PIC). The PIC microcontroller contain inbuilt analog to digital converter (ADC). PIC
microcontroller compares the data (output of sensor) with standard data which is already stored in a
microcontroller. After comparing the signal PIC microcontroller shows the value on the LCD. The output of PIC
works as an input for ULN-2004. The purpose of ULN-2004 is used for current amplification. It contains seven
Darlington pair; each pair is used for operating the relay. Each relay requires 12 V DC power supply for switching
ON. Every relay is connected with exhaust fans and buzzer. Exhaust fans are used for exhausting the CO from the
closed surrounding and if these fans are unable to exhaust huge concentrations of CO gas, in that condition
concentration of CO would gradually increase with time, thereby reducing patient safety levels in closed
environments. In that case microcontroller reads the concentration level and gives command to buzzer relay,
thereby triggering alarm so as to make the person aware and safe their lives.
RESULTS
For prototype testing we take a box. The, dimensions of the box are 60*60*60 inches. For initial testing coal
is burned like brazier in the box. - The results are represented below in the table (2).

Table-2: Results of Co measuring device when coal was burning

Sr. No. Time in sec CO concentration in ppm
1. 0 20
2. 300 75
3. 543 130
4. 665 185
5. 729 240
6. 912 295
7. 1027 350

International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology

http://www.irjmst.com Page 61
IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 5 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)

8. 1294 405

Above table shows that when time is 0 sec than CO concentration is 20 ppm and when time is 1294 sec than
CO concentration is 405 ppm, as the time increases the CO concentration increases rapidly. When time reaches
665 sec level of CO concentration increases by 825% from initial stage, after 1294 sec level of CO concentration
increases by 1925%. It shows that changes occurs in CO concentration according to time, because it shows that in
665 sec the change in CO concentration is 165 ppm and after 1294 sec the change in CO concentration is 385
ppm, if we compare it with 665 sec the change in concentration is about 220 ppm in 629 sec.
Table 3 shows results of burning of mosquito coil in closed environment (box). The result shows that with the
increase of time the CO measuring device shows that level of CO also increases.
Table-3: Results of CO measuring device when mosquito coil was burning
Sr. No. Time in sec CO concentration in
ppm
1. 0 20
2. 374 75
3. 710 130
4. 978 185
5. 1292 240
6. 1464 295
7. 1687 350
8. 1906 405

Above table shows that when time is 0 sec than CO concentration is 20 ppm and when time is 1906 sec than
CO concentration is 405 ppm, as the time increases the CO concentration increases rapidly. When time reaches
978 sec level of CO concentration increases by 825%, after 1906 sec level of CO concentration increases by
1925% from initial stage. It shows that changes occurs in CO concentration according to time, because it shows
that in 978 sec the change in CO concentration is 165 ppm and after 1906 sec the change in CO concentration is
385 ppm, if we compare it with 978 sec the change in concentration is about 220 ppm in 928 sec.
By analyzing the table-2 and table-3 we obtain figure 3. Figure 3 clearly shows that with increase of time,
level of CO concentration produced by organic materials increases rapidly.
2500

2000
T
i 1500 Time in sec (Coal)
m
e 1000

s
Time in sec (Mosquito
e 500 Coil)
c
0
75 130 185 240 295 350 405
CO concentration in ppm

Fig-3: Graph of results obtained by CO measuring device

Above figure shows that CO concentration level is 75 ppm in 300 sec and 374 sec, when we use coal and
mosquito coil respectively and the level of CO concentration reaches up to 405 ppm in 1294 sec and 1906 sec for

International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology

http://www.irjmst.com Page 62
IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 5 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)

these two material. The concentration of CO increases much more by burning of coal in comparison with
mosquito coil.
From the above figure, it is clear that burning of coal in the poor ventilated room/box is more harmful than
burning of mosquito coil in the same room/box. Coal takes least time to produce CO gas compare to mosquito
coil. Above graph clear that mosquito coil produces less amount of CO gas than coal and it is less harmful than
them.
CONCLUSION
There are many cases which have shown that person gets hospitalized and leading to higher deaths due to
excess inhalation of CO. Carbon monoxide is harmful in cars, closed rooms, subways and places where poor
ventilation exists. This instrument would be helpful in detecting the excess of carbon monoxide and removes CO
from closed surrounding. This instrument also gives indication if it is unable to remove CO gas from the closed
surrounding thereby enhancing patient safety levels.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We are also thankful to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of
Science & Technology, Murthal for encouraging and supporting during the research work.
REFERENCES
[1] Jack Anderson, John R. Menkedick, Maureen A. Wooton, “Healthy Homes Issues: Carbon Monoxide”, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, December 2005, Volume 3, pp. 1-35
[2] Prockop LD, Chichkova RI (Nov 2007). "Carbon monoxide intoxication: an updated review". Journal of the
Neurological Sciences 262 (1-2): 122–130.
[3] Abelsohn A, Sanborn MD, Jessiman BJ, Weir E. Identifying and managing adverse environmental health
effects: 6. Carbon monoxide poisoning. CMAJ 2002; 166(13):1685–90.
[4] Lascaratos JG, Marketos SG. The carbon monoxide poisoning of two Byzantine emperors. J Toxicol Clin
Toxicol 1998; 36(1-2):103–7.
[5] T.S. Mohan Kumar, Tanuj Kanchan, K.S. Pinakini, Ritesh G. Menezes, Manisha Singh, Parmendra Sirohi,
Naureen Anwar, “A cause of fatal domestic carbon monoxide poisoning”, Journal of Forensic and Legal
Medicine, Volume 19, Issue 8, November 2012, pp. 490–493
[6] Badri Ram, D.N. Vishwakarma, “Power System Protection and Switchgear”, „Relay‟, Edition 2007, pp. 79-83
[7] V.K.Mehta, Rohit Mehta, “Principal of Electrical Engineering”, „Single Phase Transformer‟, Edition 2009, pp.
419-437
[8] Goldstein M (December 2008). "Carbon monoxide poisoning". Journal of Emergency Nursing: JEN: Official
Publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association 34 (6): 538–542.
[9] Struttmann T, Scheerer A, Prince TS, Goldstein LA (Nov 1998). "Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning
from an unlikely source". The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 11 (6): 481–484.
Sources
[10]http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en026561
[11]http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf
[12]http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Biometric/MQ-7.pdf
[13]http://www.pololu.com/file/download/MQ7.pdf?file_id=0J313
[14]https://www.noisebridge.net/images/c/cf/ULN2004.pdf
[15]http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/02/stories/2007050214670500.htm
[16] http://biology.about.com/od/molecularbiology/a/carbon_monoxide.htm

International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology

http://www.irjmst.com Page 63
IRJMST Vol 7 Issue 5 [Year 2016] ISSN 2250 – 1959 (0nline) 2348 – 9367 (Print)

Abhishek Agarwal received his Masters of Technology in Bio-Medical

Engineering from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science &
Technology, Murthal (Sonepat), Haryana, in 2013 and bachelor‟s degree
in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Uttar Pradesh
Technical University, Lucknow, in 2009. He has several research papers
in reputed journals with industrial, teaching and research experience of
more than five years. His research focuses on causes of death.

Ravi Kumar received his Masters of Technology in Power Electronics from NIT, Kurukshetra, Haryana, in
2013 and bachelor‟s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow,
in 2007. He has several research papers in reputed journals with industrial and teaching experience of more
than seven years.

International Research Journal of Management Science & Technology

http://www.irjmst.com Page 64