Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Air Toxics Using Incoherent Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy
EPA Contract Number: EPD12019Title: Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Air Toxics Using Incoherent Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy
Investigators: Leen, J. Brian
Small Business: Los Gatos Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012
Project Amount: $79,292
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air and Climate
Description:
In this SBIR effort, Los Gatos Research (LGR) proposed to design, build and test a novel Incoherent Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (iCRDS) gas analyzer in the mid-infrared region with 500 – 1000x higher sensitivity than long-path, open-path Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and a 1.7 – 10x lower cost of ownership compared to portable Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). The analyzer was optimized to provide in situ, autonomous, high sensitivity (ppbv to pptv range), continuous, high speed measurements of multiple EPA designated air toxics. Because of the inherent benefits of iCRDS, the analyzer was highly sensitive, selective, robust and economical compared to the alternatives of GC/MS and FTIR.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Figure 1. (left) TCE concentration during the deployment to BUilding 10 of Moffett Field. The bold
lines ahow the 1 hour moving average. (right) PCE concentration during the deployment. Both VOCs
were measured in bo th the breathing zone at head height and in 3 locations in the stream tunnels.
The ventilation fans were turned off during hte weekend of August 11 and both VOC show a
significant increase in concentration during this period.
Conclusions:
Supplemental Keywords:
air pollution, air pollution monitoring, air pollution control, Incoherent cavity ring down spectroscopy, iCRDS, gas analyzer, gas chromatography, infrared, MIR, portable, external-cavity quantum cascade laser, EC-QCL, air quality monitoring, laser-based analyzer, SBIR, pollutant measurementThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.