Public Lab Research note


Controlled Testing with B&W Film Hydrogen Sulfide Detectors

by jschaffr | November 21, 2011 19:45 21 Nov 19:45 | #575 | #575

Above infographic describes procedure for controlled testing of Hydrogen Sulfide Detectors created using this method

Sensors were created from Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe MGD.1M B&W Paper which was treated minimally with glycerine ($1),Kodak Photoflo 200 (16oz $8), and water (value not quantified).

Test environment is kept at room temperature (70 degrees +/-5) in my apartment in Providence, Rhode Island.

Results to be posted in following weeks.


2 Comments

Hey James - want to use the electronic hydrogen sulfide detector for this test also? It would be good to have a secondary means of measuring, as in the setup you describe, even if strips do darken, there's no way to confirm that it's because of H2S. Though the electronic one is also not calibrated for heat/moisture. We have been meaning to order a heat/moisture sensor to control for those variables.

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Hi Jeff - The electronic sensor would be great. I understand that the results may not be completely conclusive on their own - but I was more interested in seeing if I could repeat the experiment here. - Anaerobic decomposition seemed to be the only safe way to generate hydrogen sulfide. I've observed the color change exhibited by strips when exposed to light and would like to see if a chemical response is expressed differently. My main goal was to control light here (which seems to be the variable which will most likely skew results), gain [some] understanding as to length of exposure (not specified in procedure linked), and have some comparative results.

But yes, results from the electronic sensor would be necessary for an experiment which would stand on it's own.

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