Airborne Chromatograph For Atmospheric Trace Species

Status

Status
Retired
Operated By
PI
Replaced By

ACATS-IV is a 4-channel gas chromatograph with electron capture detection (ECD) that measures a variety of halocarbons and other long-lived trace gases in the stratosphere. The instrument is currently configured to measure CFC-11 (CCl3F), CFC-12 (CCl2F2), CFC-113 (CCl2FCClF2), methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), halon-1211 (CBrClF2), chloroform (CHCl3), methane (CH4), and hydrogen (H2) every 125 s, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) every 250 s. Each channel is comprised of a sample loop (2-10 cm3 volume), gas sampling valve (GSV), chromatographic column pair, ECD, electrometer, and several flow, temperature, and pressure controllers. In-flight calibration is carried out every 625 s (1250 s for N2O and SF6) by injecting a dried, whole air standard containing approximately 80% of tropospheric mixing ratios.

Instrument Type
Aircraft
Recent Missions
(ER-2 - AFRC)
;
(ER-2 - AFRC)
;
(ER-2 - AFRC)
;
(ER-2 - AFRC)
;
(ER-2 - AFRC)
;
(ER-2 - AFRC)
Point(s) of Contact
(POC; Co-I),
(Co-I),
(Co-I),
(Co-I)
Range of Measurement
In situ
Has Pressurized Canisters? Yes

 

Disclaimer: This material is being kept online for historical purposes. Though accurate at the time of publication, it is no longer being updated. The page may contain broken links or outdated information, and parts may not function in current web browsers. Visit https://espo.nasa.gov for information about our current projects.