Rapid Measurement and Mapping of Tracer Gas Concentrations in a Large Indoor Space

TitleRapid Measurement and Mapping of Tracer Gas Concentrations in a Large Indoor Space
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsFischer, Marc L., Phillip N. Price, Tracy L. Thatcher, C. A. Schwalbe, M. J. Craig, Emily E. Wood, Richard G. Sextro, and Ashok J. Gadgil
Secondary TitleAtmospheric Environment
Volume35
SectionChapter
Pagination2837-2844
Publication Languageeng
Abstract

Rapid mapping of gas concentrations in air benefits studies of atmospheric phenomena ranging from pollutant dispersion to surface layer meteorology. Here we demonstrate a technique that combines multiple-open-path tunable-diode-laser (TDL) spectroscopy and computed tomography to map tracer gas concentrations with approximately 0.5 m spatial and 7 second temporal resolution. Releasing CH4 in a large (7m x 9m x 11m high) ventilated chamber, we measured path-integrated CH4 concentrations over a planar array of 28 "long" (2-10 m) optical paths, recording a complete sequence of measurements every 7 seconds during the course of hour-long experiments. Maps of CH4 concentration were reconstructed from the long-path data and compared with simultaneous measurements from 28 "short" (0.5 m) optical paths. On average, the reconstructed maps capture ~ 74% of the variance in the short path measurements. The accuracy of the reconstructed maps is limited, in large part, by the number of optical paths and the time required for the measurement. Straightforward enhancements to the instrumentation will allow rapid mapping of three-dimensional gas concentrations in indoor and outdoor air, with sub-second temporal resolution.

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Citation Key10987