Stratospheric Trace Gas Composition Studies Utilizing in situ Cryogenic, Whole-Air Sampling Methods.

Abstract

A balloon borne cryogenic whole air sampler (tri-sampler) is used to obtain one-mole sample quantities at each of three altitudes on a single flight. Samples have been obtained at six altitudes from 12 to 30 km at each of five latitudes from 9 deg N to 64 deg N. The samples are maintained frozen until just prior to analysis; chemiluminescence and gas chromatography techniques are used to determine mixing ratios of NO, NO2, N2O, CFC13 and CF2C12. Variations in mixing ratios with altitude and latitude have been noted, but no variations with time within the stratosphere have been detected over the five-year duration of the flights. Gas calibration procedures include two dynamic dilution methods and one permeation tube method, with close agreement among the methods being noted. (Author)

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 10, 1981
Accession Number
ADA104375

Entities

People

  • Charles A. Forsberg
  • Charles C. Gallagher
  • Gerard A. Faucher
  • Robert V. Pieri

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Chromatographs
  • Detectors
  • Environment
  • Gas Chromatography
  • Lapse Rate
  • Measurement
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Stainless Steel
  • Surface Properties
  • Trace Gases

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space