Modular Analyzer System
The AOS® CO2 Airborne Analyzer System is a portable, fully automated, artifact-free, in-situ air sampler for the measurement of atmospheric carbon dioxide. It takes multiple forms, depending on the platform and scientific objectives. The forms are rack mount, fuselage, wing pod and modular. There are both manned and unmanned aircraft. AOS has a team of individuals that have taken the system from invention to full deployment in successful support of scientific missions. References are available upon request.
Follows is the documentation for the manned aircraft with payload in modular form for the analyzer system.
Summary Specifications for the Modular Analyzer System
Attribute |
Value |
| Form |
Three Compact Modules |
| Precision |
≤ 100 ppbv rms at 1 Hz |
| Broadband Precision at 10 Hz |
0.11 ppmv rms |
| Accuracy |
≤ 0.2 ppmv |
| Pneumatic Bandwidth |
≤ 50Hz |
| Electro-Optical Modulation |
100 Hz |
| Size of each of three modules |
0.2 m x 0.3 m x 0.4 m |
| Weight (Total) |
33 kg (11 kg each) |
| Electrical power |
< 100 Watts |
Specifications: Detail
Precision/Accuracy Specifications:
- Accuracy of 100 ppbv rms at 1 Hz with option of 50 ppbv or less.
- Broadband precision of 110 ppbv at 10 Hz.
- Pneumatic Bandwidth up to 50 Hz with 200 sccm giving 1 Hz.
- System calibration good to approximately 0.2 ppmv referenced to the WMO scale for CO2 DMF.
- System calibration validated by automatic insertion of reference gases during flight.
Data Logging: CO2 DMF at frequencies up to 50 Hz that is synched with a full set of diagnostics and environmental parameters. Data are downloaded to user’s computer by wireless communication, external cabling or by retrieval of flash memory.
Additional Data Logging, Environmental Parameters:
- 3-D Location (Latitude/Longitude/Altitude) and Universal Time by GPS.
- Ambient Pressure (mBar).
Additional Data Logging, System Diagnostics: Flows, temperatures, pressures, and humidity of sample.
Data Reduction Capabilities: Reduction software is available that enables the user to present the observations in an informative context that includes a full set of diagnostics and historical analysis of the calibrations. This software is the result of the deployment of over 200 airborne missions from five manned and two unmanned platforms and for a great range of environmental conditions.
- Graphical editors are used to rate the observations and to organize them into vertical profiles, transects and time series.
- Format of reduced data stream is dictated by user.
- Dynamical, three dimensional plots are available for the fight pattern and CO2 DMF.
- Prompt reduction to calibrated CO2 DMF that can be finished within 1 hour after completion of a mission.
- Reduction takes the form of a Flight Log than is customized for the user. This log ends with a summary evaluation of each mission and makes recommendations for future observations.
Operational Specifications of payload:
- Autonomous in-flight operation.
- Portable and is capable of easy installation and removal for each flight. Integration and installation take 30 minutes each.
- Altitude ceiling of greater than 7500 m. (15000 m with optional compressor)
- Operational in 0 to 100% relative humidity environment, non-condensing.
- Rechargeable batteries or AC power.
- Capable of running for more than 4 hours of continuous operation on battery power.
- Capable of at least 100 hours of operation per charge of calibration gases.
Protocols, methodologies and technologies for calibration:
- Calibration referred to the WMO scale of CO2 DMF by proven manipulation of reference gases.
- Validation to absolute DMF by NOAA flask technology to the accuracy of approximately 0.2 ppmv
- Broadband validation by deployment of pairs of analyzers on the same platform.
- Established protocols for on-site calibration and diagnostics of the full system including the platform itself.
- AOS provides all the technologies (flask, verifier analyzer) required to calibrate the CO2 DMF for both absolute level and bandwidth.
- It is recommended that the absolute calibration of CO2 DMF be done with the flask technology by the double blind protocol.
- As a second form of verification or when flask sampling is not possible, it is recommended that the user introduce a target reference gas into the inlet of the full detection system. This operation takes no more than 20 sec and should be scheduled before during and after each mission.
- The modular form is appropriate for the temporary integration on a platform when broadband or absolute validation of other instrumentations is needed.
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