Combines two high-level sensors for eddy-covariance research
Overview
Campbell Scientific’s IRGASON fully integrates the open-path analyzer and sonic anemometer. Designed specifically for eddy-covariance flux measurements, the patented design is easier to install and use than separate sensors and provides increased measurement accuracy. The IRGASON simultaneously measures absolute carbon dioxide and water vapor, air temperature, barometric pressure, three-dimensional wind speed, and sonic air temperature. U.S. patent D680455
For more information about the benefits of having a co-located measurement, refer to the poster "Improved eddy flux measurements by open-path gas analyzer and sonic anemometer co-location."
Read MoreBenefits and Features
- New conformal coating helps protect sonic transducers in corrosive environments
- Combined support structure causes less flow distortion than two separate sensors
- Truly colocated gas analyzer and sonic anemometer measurements avoid flux loss due to sensor separation
- Synchronized gas analyzer and sonic anemometer measurements avoid the need to correct for time lag
- Low power consumption; suitable for solar power applications
- Measurements are temperature compensated without active heat control
- Low noise
- Maximum output rate of 60 Hz with 20 Hz bandwidth
- Angled windows shed water and are tolerant to window contamination
- Field rugged
- Field serviceable
- Factory calibrated over wide range of CO2, H2O, pressure, and temperature in all combinations encountered in practice
- Extensive set of diagnostic parameters
- Fully compatible with Campbell Scientific dataloggers; field setup, configuration, and field zero and span can be accomplished directly from the datalogger
- Sonic temperature determined from three acoustic paths; corrected for crosswind effects
- Innovative signal processing and transducer wicks considerably improve performance of the anemometer during precipitation events
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Technical Description
The IRGASON has the following outputs:
- Ux (m/s)
- Uy (m/s)
- Uz (m/s)
- Sonic Temperature (°C)
- Sonic Diagnostic
- CO2 Density (mg/m3)
- H2O Density (g/m3)
- Gas Analyzer Diagnostic
- Ambient Temperature (°C)
- Atmospheric Pressure (kPa)
- CO2 Signal Strength
- H2O Signal Strength
- Source Temperature (°C)
Specifications
| Patent | U.S. Patent No. D680455 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -30° to +50°C |
| Calibrated Pressure Range | 70 to 106 kPa |
| Input Voltage Range | 10 to 16 Vdc |
| Power | 5 W (steady state and power up) at 25°C |
| Measurement Rate | 60 Hz |
| Output Bandwidth | 5, 10, 12.5, or 20 Hz (user-programmable) |
| Output Options | SDM, RS-485, USB, analog (CO2 and H2O only) |
| Auxiliary Inputs | Air temperature and pressure |
| Warranty | 3 years or 17,500 hours of operation (whichever comes first) |
| Cable Length | 3 m (10 ft) from IRGASON® to EC100 |
| Weight |
|
Gas Analyzer |
|
| Path Length |
15.37 cm (6.05 in.) A temperature of 20°C and pressure of 101.325 kPa was used to convert mass density to concentration. |
Gas Analyzer - CO2 Performance |
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| -NOTE- | A temperature of 20°C and pressure of 101.325 kPa was used to convert mass density to concentration. |
| Accuracy |
|
| Precision RMS (maximum) |
0.2 mg/m3 (0.15 μmol/mol) Nominal conditions for precision verification test: 25°C, 86 kPa, 400 μmol/mol CO2, 12°C dewpoint, and 20 Hz bandwidth. |
| Calibrated Range | 0 to 1,000 μmol/mol (0 to 3,000 μmol/mol available upon request.) |
| Zero Drift with Temperature (maximum) | ±0.55 mg/m3/°C (±0.3 μmol/mol/°C) |
| Gain Drift with Temperature (maximum) | ±0.1% of reading/°C |
| Cross Sensitivity (maximum) | ±1.1 x 10-4 mol CO2/mol H2O |
Gas Analyzer - H2O Performance |
|
| -NOTE- | A temperature of 20°C and pressure of 101.325 kPa was used to convert mass density to concentration. |
| Accuracy |
|
| Precision RMS (maximum) |
0.004 g/m3 (0.006 mmol/mol) Nominal conditions for precision verification test: 25°C, 86 kPa, 400 μmol/mol CO2, 12°C dewpoint, and 20 Hz bandwidth. |
| Calibrated Range | 0 to 72 mmol/mol (38°C dewpoint) |
| Zero Drift with Temperature (maximum) | ±0.037 g/m3/°C (±0.05 mmol/mol/°C) |
| Gain Drift with Temperature (maximum) | ±0.3% of reading/°C |
| Cross Sensitivity (maximum) | ±0.1 mol H2O/mol CO2 |
Sonic Anemometer - Accuracy |
|
| -NOTE- | The accuracy specification for the sonic anemometer is for wind speeds < 30 m s-1 and wind angles between ±170°. |
| Offset Error |
|
| Gain Error |
|
| Measurement Precision RMS |
|
| Speed of Sound | Determined from 3 acoustic paths (corrected for crosswind effects) |
| Rain | Innovative signal processing and transducer wicks considerably improve performance of the anemometer during precipitation events. |
Basic Barometer (option -BB) |
|
| Total Accuracy |
|
| Measurement Rate | 10 Hz |
Enhanced Barometer (option -EB) |
|
| Manufacturer | Vaisala PTB110 |
| Total Accuracy | ±0.15 kPa (-30° to +50°C) |
| Measurement Rate | 1 Hz |
Ambient Temperature |
|
| Manufacturer | BetaTherm 100K6A1IA |
| Total Accuracy | ±0.15°C (-30° to +50°C) |
| EC100 ingress protection | IP65 |
Compatibility
Resources and Links
Videos & Tutorials
Downloads
EasyFlux DL for CR6OP v.2.01 (98.2 KB) 21-07-2022
CR6 datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.
EC100 OS v.8.02 (560 KB) 14-10-2019
EC100 Operating System.
Watch the Video Tutorial: Updating the EC100 Operating System.
ECMon v.1.6 (10.7 MB) 29-03-2016
EC100-Series Support Software.
Device Configuration Utility v.2.29 (54 MB) 15-11-2023
A software utility used to download operating systems and set up Campbell Scientific hardware. Also will update PakBus Graph and the Network Planner if they have been installed previously by another Campbell Scientific software package.
Supported Operating Systems:
Windows 11 or 10 (Both 32 and 64 bit)
EasyFlux DL for CR1000XOP v.2.01 (98.2 KB) 21-07-2022
CR1000X datalogger program for Campbell open-path eddy-covariance systems.
FAQs for
Number of FAQs related to IRGASON: 21
Expand AllCollapse All
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The molecular sieve is a direct replacement for the old magnesium perchlorate bottles. The molecular sieve may be used for any Campbell Scientific analyzer that used the old bottles.
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The molecular sieve is a non-hazardous material that can be shipped to any country.
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The molecular sieve has been demonstrated here by our engineering department to be effective at removing CO2 and H2O from the air sample. The change was made for two reasons:
- It was a safer alternative than using the previous chemicals.
- Increased shipping regulations for the chemicals limited the number of suppliers.
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The bottles of sieve for drop-in replacement contain the pellets and a membrane on top. The membrane is necessary to keep the pellets contained while allowing gas to pass over the zeolite. The bottle has the same footprint as the old magnesium perchlorate bottles. The amount in each bottle is listed on the bottle. The amount of sieve needed for each analyzer is the following:
- The EC150 needs 22 g (drop-in bottle).
- The IRGASON® needs 22 g (drop-in bottle).
- The EC155 needs 22 g (drop-in bottle).
- The AP200 needs 500 g (refill).
- The 27423 needs 1000 g (refill).
- The 31022 needs 500 g (refill).
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The factory calibration accounts for CO2 and H2O signal strengths down to 0.7. Therefore, to ensure quality data, windows should be cleaned before signal strengths drop below 0.7.
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Yes. A fine-wire thermocouple, such as a FW05, can be used.
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Factory recalibration is done on an as-needed basis. When diagnostic flags begin to appear and persist even after cleaning the analyzer and verifying its settings, a recalibration is needed. Additionally, if the performance of the analyzer has degraded, a recalibration is recommended.
One performance test is to check the absolute signal strength drift over the course of 1 year. Drift of a few percent per year is normal. If the annual signal strength drift is excessive, or if the signal strength is below 0.7 when the windows are clean, a factory recalibration is needed. Furthermore, if the ratio of the CO2 to H2O signal strength is not close to one, it may also be time for a factory recalibration.
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The EC150 and IRGASON® gas analyzer windows are polished, slanted at an angle, and coated with a hydrophobic material to prevent water from collecting on their surfaces. Wicks may also be used on the windows to promote capillary action and move water away from the window edges. Also, heaters in the snouts may be turned on to help minimize data loss because of precipitation and condensation events.
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The IRGASON® is an integrated open-path gas analyzer and sonic anemometer, whereas the EC150 is a separate open-path gas analyzer that may be paired with a CSAT3A sonic anemometer. Both instruments provide measurements that are synchronous or simultaneous, made possible by having one set of electronics, the EC100, controlling the execution of both gas and wind measurements. With its integrated design, the IRGASON® is able to make measurements exactly colocated, which means that a spatial correction does not need to be applied to fluxes. Unlike the IRGASON®, the EC150 has measurement volumes that have a small separation, which means a spatial correction must be applied.
For more detailed information, see the white paper “EC150, IRGASON, or EC155: Which CO2 and H2O Eddy-Covariance System Is Best for My Application?”
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The minimum height for the IRGASON® or EC150 should be approximately 2 m. Sensor placement below that height may result in a significant loss in frequency response. The maximum height depends on the available upwind fetch or footprint area. As a general guideline for unstable boundary layer conditions, the height of the sensor should be less than the distance from the sensor to the outermost edge of the footprint area divided by one hundred. For example, if there is 500 m of available upwind fetch, the IRGASON® or EC150 should not exceed a height of 5 m. Note that for neutral and stable conditions, the footprint area will grow.
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