ORIGINAL ARTICLE Analytical investigations of gas-sensor using methane decomposition system Elnaz Akbari 1 • Zolkafle Buntat 1 • Abdolkarim Afroozeh 2, • Alireza Zeinalinezhad 3 • M. J. Kiani 4 • M. H. Shahrokh Abadi 4 Received: 29 January 2015 / Accepted: 22 August 2015 / Published online: 24 February 2016 Ó Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016 Abstract This paper reports on a set of experiments designed to develop a workable gas sensor prototype using an electronic system with methane. The current is found to be sensitive to the presence of methane gas, which is a conduit for a variety of gas sensors. The sensitivity is shown to depend on pointed or broad electrode configu- rations. Scanning electron microscopy images show the area of conductance that determines the quality of the electrodes in three configurations. Data processing is per- formed with a support vector regression algorithm in conjunction with statistical analysis for error and quality control. The reported results can be adapted to a broad range of industrial applications for enhanced productivity, safety, innovation, data processing, and overall total quality management. Keywords Gas sensor  Support vector regression  Methane decomposition  I–V characteristics Introduction Earth is being depleted of its precious resources. As an industry announces a new resource for development, seri- ous challenges to the environment and human habitat are being reported. Although methane (CH 4 ) is only 9 % of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, it has 86 times the global warming potential of CO 2 (Huttunen et al. 2003). Carbon affects biological processes, and industrial electronics based on silicon technology (Davidson et al. 2004). The geology and biology supporting our existence on Earth are greatly affected by both silicon and carbon. This paper presents an industrial system that provides directions for development of total quality management with a prototype for the detection of methane. The engineering profession in an industrial environment is increasingly challenging from both professional and ethical perspectives. Innovations, inventions, and growth naturally arise as industrial pro- fessionals design and implement new systems by applying existing science. Sensors or detection devices are required to sense gas- eous and chemical dangers. Some elements are difficult to detect with the naked eye; however, they gradually lead to adverse effects in our ecosystem. Gas, chemical, and biosensors are general types of sensors commonly used in everyday applications. Akbari et al. (2013) provided a model for a gas sensor. In this paper, a novel technique for carbon film fabrication by implementing AC arc discharge has been developed and it is intended for use in a gas- sensing mechanism. The process of carbon strand fabrica- tion occurs in a Pyrex glass tube chamber when pure methane is passed through the graphite electrodes under atmospheric pressure. & Zolkafle Buntat zolkafle@utm.my Elnaz Akbari elnazzz1@gmail.com 1 Institute of High Voltage and High Current, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia 2 Young Researchers and Elite Club, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran 3 Chemistry Department, Anar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Anar, Iran 4 Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar 9617976487, Iran 123 Environ Earth Sci (2016) 75:420 DOI 10.1007/s12665-015-4943-0