Hi folks,
I'm trying to find the best way to detect "smell", not one particular but basically from all burning of coal and wood.
The main purpose is to detect when clean air can be draught into the house.
I do not think particular matter alone will do the trick as there are probably many volatile compounds that are annoying even in small quantities.
A particulate detector (PM 2.5 style) ought to be able to sense such combustion products. If you're worried about insufficient fresh air entering the room (which would lead to a greater level of incomplete combustion products and smell) you should probably fit a Carbon Monoxide detector / alarm - I would do that anyway if you have an open fire.
A VOC (volatile organic compounds) sensor might work.
Try looking at a Honeywell minimax x4 as a starting point
I'm trying to find the best way to detect "smell", not one particular but basically from all burning of coal and wood.
The main purpose is to detect when clean air can be draught into the house.
IDK if this helps, but my car has an "air quality sensor" that is used for this exact purpose--if the outside air is not clean, it switches to recirculating the interior air through the carbon filter.
I've no idea how they actually work, but here's an example:
https://www.worldcarparts.co.uk/air-quality-sensor-for-volvo-s80-xc60-xc70-xc70-cross-country