Detection of Ethylene Using Gas Chromatographic System

For the control of fruits during transport ethylene gas, which is a ripening indicator, has to be measured selectively with a resolution of 50 ppbv. This is done with a micro gas chromatograph, using a chromatographic column made by 3D printing, a micromachined preconcentrator and a SnO2 gas sensor. First we present measurements of ethylene gas in synthetic air with 400 ppbv and 35 ppbv concentration, then we measure ethylene in air from bananas ripening in a storage box at a level of 306 ppbv. The resolution of the system is determined to be 12 ppbv.