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www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/2/2123/2009/
doi:10.5194/amtd-2-2123-2009
© Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
μDirac: an autonomous instrument for halocarbon measurements
1Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
2School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
3National Centre for Atmospheric Science, NCAS-Climate, UK
Abstract. We describe a new instrument (μDirac) capable of measuring halocarbons in the atmosphere. Portability, power efficiency and autonomy were critical requirements in the design, and the resulting instrument can be readily deployed unattended on a range of platforms: long duration balloon, aircraft, ship and ground based stations. The instrument is a temperature programmed gas chromatograph with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The design requirements led to μDirac being built in-house with several novel features. It currently measures a range of halocarbons (CFCs and shorter-lived halocarbons having biogenic and anthropogenic sources) with measurement precisions ranging from ∼1% sd (CCl4) to ∼9% sd (CH3I). Since the prototype instrument was first tested in 2005 the instrument has been proved in the field on technically challenging aircraft and ground based campaigns. Results from one aircraft and two ground-based deployments are described.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 1569 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 3 Comments) Final Revised Paper (AMT)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Gostlow, B., Robinson, A. D., Harris, N. R. P., O'Brien, L. M., Oram, D. E., Mills, G. P., Newton, H. M., and Pyle, J. A.: μDirac: an autonomous instrument for halocarbon measurements, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., 2, 2123-2159, doi:10.5194/amtd-2-2123-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
