High Precision CO2 Field Sensor

The U.S. Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI) has the goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years. However, the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are not well understood. Very high precision instruments to quantify the concentrations and fluctuations of carbon dioxide are essential to improve this understanding, yet existing instruments can not meet the combined specifications for precision, unattended field operation, and cost. In this program, a new type of high precision optical sensor, which combines traditional optical spectroscopy with a new, simple calibration method, will be developed. The sensor will provide significant improvement in detection sensitivity and precision for determining dry mixing ratios of carbon dioxide. The approach will address issues beyond performance, including the ability to be deployed in widespread field operations over extended periods of time. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Federal benefits include low-cost, field-deployable instruments for the rapid and precise measurements of important gases (H O, CO, CH, etc.) that will improve our knowledge for predicting and modeling atmospheric dynamics and climate change. The methodology also should be applicable to Homeland Security identification of chemical agents. In addition, the technology should has application for gas leak sensing of pipelines, fire detectors for commercial and private aircraft, combustor feedback control sensors, and process control sensors for the energy and chemical production industries.