First Trace Gas Analyser to Simultaneously Measure CO, CO2, and H2O in Real-Time

The new G1302 trace gas analyser from Picarro (USA) is the first turnkey instrument capable of simultaneously measuring CO and CO2 with high precision, in realtime, and with minimal calibration required. This makes it suitable for remotely operated (unattended) GHG monitoring applications, including tall-tower measurements as well as for research and reference laboratory use, providing both superior performance and lower overall costs than previous technologies. In particular, the G1302 delivers measurement precision down to 2 ppbv for CO, 50 ppbv for CO2. Based on Picarro’s proven wavelength-scanned cavity ring down spectroscopy (WS-CRDS) technology, this new analyser also provides quantitative data on H2O concentration levels.

In field CO2 monitoring applications, CO is commonly used as an anthropogenic CO2 emission indicator as well as a method to co-identify CO and CO2 plumes of incendiary origin, as opposed to natural origin from soils, etc. Unfortunately, traditional technologies require frequent calibration and maintenance, as well as the use of a different analyser for each gas species. Because the Picarro G1302 analyser is based on WS-CRDS technology, crosstalk between the detected species and other atmospheric gas constituents is avoided, allowing this new analyzer to simultaneously monitor multiple species, with superior precision than older single-gas methods.

Mike Woelk, CEO of Picarro, adds, “Our company is committed to supporting air and atmospheric monitoring applications with trace gas analysers that deliver superior performance and simplicity of use. But we also recognise that the diverse needs of some of these applications must be supported with analysers optimised for their specific requirements. Our new G1302 analyser is a perfect example of this philosophy, targeting the scientists who need to simultaneously monitor a particular combination of target gases – CO, CO2 and H2O – where there was previously no single solution to match this need.”