ResourceGeneral Lab
The Importance of Water Vapor Measurements and Corrections
22 Jan 2015Water vapor is known to influence the measurement of carbon dioxide by infrared gas analysis in several ways, which can lead to significant measurement errors. Spectral cross-sensitivity due to absorption band broadening, and inherent instrument cross sensitivity can both cause over estimations of CO2 mole fraction in samples containing water vapor when their effects are not accounted for. Dilution of samples by the addition of water vapor may not be important when measuring actual CO2 mole fractions, but can lead to significant errors in flux measurements. This application note describes the basis of each of these three processes and discusses how each can affect the measurement of CO2.
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Infrared / IR SpectroscopyInfrared (IR) spectroscopy measures the interaction of infrared light with a sample, including transmission, reflectance & absorbance, facilitating the identification of analytes. Equipment used for quantitative analysis includes Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, infrared cameras, FTIR gas analyzers, as well as attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessories and pellet or film presses. Find the best IR spectroscopy products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gas Generators and AnalyzersGas generators are used for supplying or monitoring a regular flow of a high purity gas such as nitrogen, hydrogen or zero air for applications such as gas chromatography. Gas analyzers can be used in supply chain processes and laboratory experiments with portable analyzers for monitoring CO<sub>2</sub> and O<sub>2</sub> levels as well as trace gases. Regular flow can be produced with gas control modules and flow meters. Find the best gas generators and analyzers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Carbon Dioxide