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A Laser-based Instrument Platform for Measuring Methane and Other Trace Gases

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-05ER84283
Agency Tracking Number: 78618S05-I
Amount: $750,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 08
Solicitation Number: DE-FG02-06ER06-09
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
4421 Superior Street
Lincoln, NE 68504
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Liukang Xu
 Dr.
 (402) 467-3576
 liukang.xu@licor.com
Business Contact
 Dayle McDermitt
Title: Dr.
Phone: (402) 467-3576
Email: dayle.mcdermitt@licor.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Robust and reliable trace-gas analyzers (e.g., for isotopic carbon, methane, nitroxide, ammonia, etc.), suitable for long-term measurements, are not commercially available. Such analyzers are needed to achieve a better understanding of the global budget of these trace gases and to quantify their exchanges between the atmosphere and the terrestrial biosphere. This project will develop a tunable diode laser-based open-path methane analyzer using newly-developed laser technology. The new analyzer will be suitable for deployment over a wide range of ecosystems to understand methane exchange between the atmosphere and the surface. In Phase I, an open-path methane analyzer, with a newly available vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS), was developed. The resolution of the analyzer was shown to be better than 10 ppb at a 10-Hz sampling rate, exceeding the required specifications for methane flux measurement; therefore, even low methane fluxes can be measured using eddy covariance with this instrument. Phase II will further develop the open-path methane analyzer by adding a multiple-pass Herriott optical cell to the VCSEL and WMS. Instrument-embedded software and application software also will be developed. The analyzer will be capable of field deployment for methane flux measurement over various ecosystems and other surface contexts (e.g. landfills and animal husbandry lots). Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The lack of robust and reliable methane analyzers has limited observations of methane exchange, between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere, to short-time intervals only. The new analyzer should allow measurements of methane exchange to be made year-round, with a minor maintenance requirement. In addition, the hardware and signal processing software developed for the analyzer should provide the basis for developing other trace gas and isotopic element analyzers, including but not limited to analyzers for ammonia, nitroxide, carbon isotope, and oxygen isotope

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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