By Kalwinder KaurMay 10 2012
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has placed an order for additional nitrous oxide/carbon monoxide (N2O/CO) trace gas analyzers from Los Gatos Research (LGR).
The LGR analyzers possess high precision and stability. Air-monitoring automobiles are affected by temperature changes and vibrations. The LGR laser-based analyzers provide reliable measurements under such conditions during stationary and mobile operations. Their precision is greater than 50 ppt. The analyzers utilize mid-infrared tunable lasers which enables continuous measurements of N2O and CO in the atmosphere.
LGR’s Off-axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) technology, a patented cavity-enhanced laser absorption technique, has been used for the analyzers. This technology does not require high thermal control, sub nanometer stability or highly precise alignment for its optics. This helps reduce cost through better reliability, accuracy and longer maintenance duration.
Carbon dioxide and methane, which are greenhouse gases (GHGs), are present in higher concentrations in air than N2O. The N2O gas is produced due to biofuel combustion and also due to the nitrogen cycle. It is comparatively stronger than carbon dioxide (CO2) and has a very long lifetime. The gas can be a major cause of global warming. Measuring the concentration of N2O can help understand the effect of nitrate runoff and its anthropogenic and environmental influences.
The LGR laser-based analyzer also measures carbon monoxide (CO). The atmosphere has OH radicals that reduce the lifetime of O3 and CH4 greenhouse gases. CO removes these OH radicals. At high concentrations, carbon monoxide is poisonous.
Source: http://www.lgrinc.com/
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