Comparison of Three Sources of COComparison of Three Sources of CO22

(Electrochemical Generation, (Electrochemical Generation, Propane Combustion and Propane Combustion and

Compressed Gas Cylinder) for Compressed Gas Cylinder) for Mosquito SurveillanceMosquito Surveillance

Daniel L. Kline

USDA-ARS, CMAVE

Gainesville, FL

dkline@gainesville.usda.ufl.edu

CO2 Short History• 1922 Rudolfs reported that carbon dioxide was

a mosquito attractant• 1934 Headlee reported that delivering CO2 gas

over a New Jersey light trap for only 2 hr each evening increased the mosquito catch by 400-500%

• 1942 Reeves & Hammon were two of the first to seriously propose the addition of CO2 to light traps to increase mosquito catches.

• Not all species are attracted equally by the addition of CO2.

Available Sources

• Human and animal sources

• Dry ice

• Compressed (pressurized) gas cylinders

• Propane combustion

• Solid impregnate technology

• Yeast fermentation– Anaerobic– Aerobic

Available Sources

• Sodium bicarbonate/acid drip method

• Sterno combustion

• Fuel cells

Coleman MD-2500

USDA CSREES grant award No. 2005-3361-15563, entitled “Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Generator for Mosquito Surveillance”

Dr. Henri Maget

Med-e-Cell

San Diego, CA

SBIR Phase I Overall Objective

Determine the feasibility of using Med-e-Cell’s electrochemical CO2 generation technology for mosquito surveillance.

Phase I Specific Objective

Develop an experimental CO2 generator capable of producing up to 200 ml of CO2 per minute.

By applying voltage across an electrochemical cell containing a carboxylic acid (e.g. oxalic acid), the following reactions take place:

Anode reaction: HOOC-COOH 2 CO2 + 2H+ + 2e-

Cathode reaction: 2H+ + 2e- H2

Overall process: HOOC-COOH 2 CO2 + H2

Electrochemical Generation of CO2

Prototype Carbon Dioxide Prototype Carbon Dioxide GeneratorGenerator

• The generator geometry is 6.5 x 5 x 4 cm and weighs less than 100 grams

• The first prototype generator operated from an AC/DC converter at 5 Amps and 3.8 volts producing 9 liters of CO2/hr for a period of 4 hours (150 ml/min); consumed 67 grams of oxalic acid

• The cost to operate the device at that rate and duration would be about 25 cents for the organic acid and 1 cent in power

• The size of the generator can be increased (or decreased) and the production rate of CO2 also

Other Prototype FeaturesOther Prototype Features

• No valves, manifolds, etc.• Can be started manually (switch) or by

timer• The rate can be increased/decreased at

will by adjusting the current • The system price is in the vicinity of $100• The system is battery compatible• The system is ideally suited for solar

energy, since it is a low voltage device

Mosquitoes Releasedin Each Cage

Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (500)

Aedes aegypti (500)

Large Cage Studies

CO2 Sources

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Cylinder Propane Med-e-Cell

Mo

sq

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es c

olle

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d

Total mosquitoes

Ae. aegypti

Oc. taeniorhyncus

SBIR Phase II Plans• Develop an integrated monitoring system

which would include:– The electrochemical CO2 generator and

octenol dispenser as described in this talk– A way to generate moisture and heat as a by-

product of the electrochemical process– Electronic time-release circuitry to start/stop

the CO2 and to deliver pulses of CO2

– A solar power source to allow complete system autonomy