ICOS Science Conference 2022: Day 2, Session 16

1. 1
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Performance Assessment of the Mobile G4301 Cavity Ring-Down
Spectroscopy Analyzer and Practical Feedback from Field Measurements
Dr. Ruthger van Zwieten
Sales Director EMEA, Picarro
Luc Lienhardt, Gerald Jurasinski, Caroline Daun, Magdalena E. G. Hofmann,
Peter Swinkels, Olivier Laurent
September 2022

2. 2
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Mobile G4301 Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy Analyzer
• CO2, CH4 and H2O measurements (ppb precision)
• Portable, lightweight (10.4 kg), robust
• 8 hours of autonomy (hot swappable, uninterrupted
measurements)
• Low power consumption (25W)
• Real-time data on your smartphone
• Active field users all over the globe

3. 3
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Mobile G4301 Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy Analyzer

4. 4
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Tests at the ICOS-ATC Metrology laboratory

5. 5
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Stability: Short term repeatability (25h dry gas tank measurements)
Short term repeatability CO2 [ppm] CH4 [ppb]
Raw data precision (1s) 0.35 0.82
Minute average raw data
precision (1s)
0.10 0.24
Optimal averaging time 1500 sec 900 sec
CO
2
w
[ppm]
Allan
Deviation
Allan
Deviation
CH
4
w
[ppb]

6. 6
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Stability: Long term repeatability (dry gas tank measured every 5h for 30min)
SD = 0.08 ppm
SD = 0.22 ppb
Test performed in laboratory
(stable temperature)

7. 7
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Sensitivity to Varying Environmental Conditions: Humidity
Max. variability (peak-to-peak) CO2 [ppm] CH4 [ppb]
Water vapor (0 – 3 vol. % [H2O]) 1.5 1.4
CO
2
(wet
corrected)
–
CO
2
(dry)
[ppm]
CH
4
(wet
corrected)
–
CH
4
(dry)
[ppm]

8. 8
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Sensitivity to Varying Environmental Conditions: Temperature
Max. variability (peak-to-peak) CO2 [ppm] CH4 [ppb]
Ambient temperature (16 - 32 °C) 1.5 3.4

9. 9
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Sensitivity to Varying Environmental Conditions: Pressure
Max. variability (peak-to-peak) CO2 [ppm] CH4 [ppb]
Inlet pressure (890 – 1140 mbar) 2.8 11.3
Test performed in
laboratory (stable
temperature)

10. 10
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Intercomparison Test in Humid Air (G4301 vs. G2401)
CO2 CH4

11. 11
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
11
„We used and tested several analysers. Since we’ve
got a Picarro GasScouter all colleagues want to use it
because of its easy field handling and high reliability“
Gerald Jurasinski, University of Rostock
Feedback from Field measurements

12. 12
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Summary
• LSCE test data in line with the guaranteed specifications on the datasheet
• Good agreement with ICOS ATC Mlab reference instrument (Picarro G2401 CRDS analyzer) during
1-week intercomparison in ambient air.
• Suitable for field applications (with variability of environmental parameters requiring at least
2ppm CO2 and 5ppb CH4 precision, e.g., ecological studies, sniffing at industrial sites, vertical
profiles).
• GasScouter appreciated for its form factor and ease of use

13. 13
© 2022 Picarro Inc.
Dr. Ruthger van Zwieten
Sales Director
sales@picarro.com
www.picarro.com
SPEAKER