Trace CH4 Gas Detection Based on an Integrated Spherical Photoacoustic Cell

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated spherical photoacoustic cell (SPAC) for trace methane (CH4) gas detection. Theoretical analysis and analogue simulations are carried out to analyze the acoustic field distribution of the SPAC at resonant and non-resonant modes. The finite element simulation results based on COMSOL show that the first-order radial resonant frequency and second-order angular resonant frequency are 24,540 Hz and 18,250 Hz, respectively, which show good agreements with the formula analysis results. The integrated SPAC, together with a high-speed spectrometer and a distributed feedback (DFB) laser source, makes up a photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy (PAS) system, which is employed for CH4 detection. The minimum detection limit (MDL) is measured to be 126.9 parts per billion (ppb) at an average time of 1000 s. The proposed SPAC has an integrated, miniaturized and all-optical structure, which can be used for remote and long-distance trace gas detection.