COCAP: a carbon dioxide analyser for small unmanned aircraft systems
Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) could provide a cost-effective way to close gaps in the observation of the carbon cycle, provided that small yet accurate analysers are available. We have developed a COmpact Carbon dioxide analyser for Airborne Platforms (COCAP). The accuracy of COCAP's carb...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/11/1833/2018/amt-11-1833-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) could provide a cost-effective way to close
gaps in the observation of the carbon cycle, provided that small yet accurate
analysers are available. We have developed a COmpact Carbon dioxide analyser
for Airborne Platforms (COCAP). The accuracy of COCAP's carbon dioxide
(CO<sub>2</sub>) measurements is ensured by calibration in an environmental
chamber, regular calibration in the field and by chemical drying of sampled
air. In addition, the package contains a lightweight thermal stabilisation
system that reduces the influence of ambient temperature changes on the
CO<sub>2</sub> sensor by 2 orders of magnitude. During validation of COCAP's
CO<sub>2</sub> measurements in simulated and real flights we found a measurement
error of 1.2 µmol mol<sup>−1</sup> or better with
no indication of bias. COCAP is a self-contained package that has proven well
suited for the operation on board small UASs. Besides carbon dioxide dry air
mole fraction it also measures air temperature, humidity and pressure. We
describe the measurement system and our calibration strategy in detail to
support others in tapping the potential of UASs for atmospheric trace gas
measurements. |
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| ISSN: | 1867-1381 1867-8548 |