Microfluidic-based Detection of Chlorine for Future Early Warning of Water Quality Deterioration in Distribution System

Quality of drinking water is important to our health and well-being. Water quality monitoring outside the laboratory aims to obtain qualitative information on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a water body. The traditional method of taking samples periodically is not only a cost intensive process, but one that takes snap shots only, with big unobserved periods in between. Our long-term aim is to design a cost-effective and scalable solution for water quality monitoring within the network and at point-of-consumption like main connection to consumer location, to detect quality deterioration through trending. As part of our aim, research in this internship will be conducted to investigate a reagent-free, economical and robust sensing method for free chlorine using microfluidics. A microfluidic double-bridge sensor for free chlorine detection within the range of less than 10 ppm will be developed. Sensor parameters and optimization will be investigated and the effects of bridge diameter, channel width and distance between bridges on sensor sensitivity and limit of detection will be evaluated. Finally, a field study will be done and the critical parameters for integrating the sensor into the measurement module will be determined.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pouya Rezai

Student:

Ali Doostmohammadi

Partner:

Hwael

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

York University