title: Extractive FTIR spectroscopy with cryogen-free low-temperature inert preconcentration for autonomous measurements of atmospheric organics: 1: Instrument development and preliminary performance.
abstract: In collaboration with the Jefferson County Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the University of Alabama in Huntsville developed a novel sensor for detecting very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This sensor uses a commercial Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, a commercial long-path IR gas cell, a commercial acoustic Stirling cyrocooler, and a custom cryogen-free cryotrap to improve sensitivity in an autonomous system with on-board quality control and quality assurance. Laboratory and initial field results show this methodology is sensitive to and well-suited for a wide variety of VOC atmospheric research and monitoring applications, including EPA National Air Toxics Trends Stations and the National Core monitoring network.
authors.forename: Patrick I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bowdle
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Newchurch
authors.forename: Barkley C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Sive
authors.forename: George H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Mount
mesh_terms: D000171:Acrolein / Q000737:chemistry; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000407:Alabama; D000465:Algorithms; D001272:Atmosphere; D002138:Calibration; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D011786:Quality Control; D012984:Software; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D000171:Acrolein