NitroEurope - or NEU for short - is a project for integrated European research into the nitrogen cycle. NitroEurope is part of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, and will run for 5 years from February 2006 until 2011.
A compact ammonia detector with sub-ppb accuracy using near-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy and preconcentration sampling
Submitted by Laszlo_Horvath on Mon, 19/01/2009 - 13:07.
Publication Type:
Journal Paper (published)Source:
Environmental Science and Technology, Volume 43, Issue 3, p.826-830 (2009)Abstract:
This paper describes the first successful application of a preconcentration unit to increase the sensitivity of a photoacoustic ammonia concentration measuring instrument. A diode laser based near-infrared (1532 nm) photoacoustic ammonia monitoring instrument was combined with a tungsten (VI) oxide coated preconcentration unit to reach a sub-ppb detection limit with a compact, automatic measuring instrument. The system has no measurable cross-sensitivity to common atmospheric gases, most importantly to water vapor and carbon dioxide. The minimum detectable amount of ammonia is 2.9 ng, which means a minimum detectable concentration of 0.5 ppb with a 30-min measurement time. Results of intercomparison measurements carried out both under laboratory and field conditions with reference to an electrochemical AMANDA instrument prove the applicability of the system in environmental ammonia concentration monitoring.
