Portable and modular electronic nose for olfactometric measurements

In this paper we describe an olfactometric measuring system, equipped with a measuring chamber for eight semiconductor gas sensors. The entire system is controlled by a PC/104-system. The measuring program controls the measurement data recording, as well as the process control and the data analysis. As test measurements for the olfactometer nuts with different roasting degrees were selected. A measurement cycle of about two minutes is possible. The main advantages of this device are the modular and portable system concept, the temperature transient operation methods and that most of the different sensortypes (for example semiconductor-, surface acoustic wave-, quartz micro balance- or interdigital capacitor gassensors) can be used.