ARL News
New atmospheric tracer technology being
tested
March 22, 2005
The need for atmospheric tracer studies in urban areas
is now obvious. In the past, the tracer material of choice has been
sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a gas that is easily detectable in trace
quantities. The ARL group at Idaho Falls has worked with sulfur hexafluoride
for many years, and is the national "center of excellence" in its use.
SF6 is a gas that is commonly used as an insulator in high voltage
transformers, such as are used in electrical substations. The use of
SF6 in urban areas is consequently hindered by the presence of these
substations, each of which leaks SF6 into the air. Clearly, there is
room for other trace gases that can be used as atmospheric tracers.
The research team at Idaho Falls has now demonstrated an improved capability
to use a variety of perfluorocarbons as atmospheric tracers. These
substances were first used more than twenty years ago, in studies such
as the Metroplitan Tracer Experiment (METREX) conducted by ARL in Washington,
DC. Since that time, analytical methodologies have improved substantially.
As a result of a rather intensive research effort by the Idaho Falls
team, a new measurement capability is now in place. It is anticipated
that this will be a major contribution to the studies of urban dispersion,
planned to take place in New York City later this year.
Contact information: Kirk L Clawson
Phone: (208) 526-2742
e-mail: kirk.clawson@noaa.gov
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