How Does an Olfactometer Work?

How a flow-olfactometer works. A flow-olfactometer produces a constant heated and humidified flow of pure air. This air flow runs continuously to the subjects nose. For the length of the stimulus pulse the continuous air flow is replaced by a bloc of odorized air.

Can you quantify smell?

Odors are normally quantified by dynamic dilution olfactometric analysis. Olfactometric analysis consists of determining the olfactory perception threshold of a gaseous sample. The olfactory perception threshold is defined as the number of dilutions at which 50% of a jury perceives the odor while 50% do not.

How can you tell if you smell?

Instrumental sensory measurements employ the human nose in conjunction with an instrument, called olfactometer, which dilutes the odour sample with odour-free air, according to precise ratios, in order to determine odour concentrations.