Photoionization detector and mass loss measurements of odors for olfactory display characterization

This report contains photoionization detector (PID) and mass loss measurement data for validating the evaporation ratio of three chemicals by using a multi-channel olfactory display. The flow rate in each channel was controlled individually using a mass flow controller, and it was diluted with clean air to a total flow rate of 10 L/min. The tested chemicals were Cyclohexanone (C6H10(=O)), Limonene (C10H16) and 3-Carene (C10H16). This experiment included three test methods.



Output range: The PID response of the chemicals in different flow rates (0.5 – 1 – 2 – 5 – 10 – 20 – 40 – 60 – 80 standard cubic centimeters per minute (SCCM)) was recorded to measure their linearity response. The PID signal was recorded after three minutes of passing airflow through the odor source.

Repeatability: The repeatability of the multi-channel olfactory display was analyzed by a random function to repeat the measurements in five flow rates (2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 SCCM), and each flow rate was tested 10 times.

Mass loss measurements: This test was done at a stable flow rate for 60 minutes. Four different flow rates (10, 20, 30, and 40 SCCM) were tested individually, and the weight of the materials was measured before and after one hour of passing air through the odor sources.


All three measurements were repeated in three trials to check the responses on different days.