Application of antimonide diode lasers in photoacoustic spectroscopy

First investigations of photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy (PAS) of methane using an antimonide semiconductor laser are reported. The laser fabrication is made in two steps. The structure is firstly grown by molecular beam epitaxy, then a metallic distributed-feedback (DFB) grating is processed. The laser operates at 2371.6 nm in continuous wave and at room temperature. It demonstrates single-mode emission with typical tuning coefficients of 0.04 nm mA-1 and 0.2 nmK-1. PA detection of methane was performed by coupling this laser into a radial PA cell. A detection limit of 20 ppm has been achieved in a preliminary configuration that was not optimised for the laser characteristics. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Novel Helmholtz-based photoacoustic sensor for trace gas detection at ppm level using GaInAsSb/GaAlAsSb DFB lasers

A new and compact photoacoustic sensor for trace gas detection in the 2-2.5 μm atmospheric window is reported. Both the development of antimonide-based DFB lasers with singlemode emission in this spectral range and a novel design of photoacoustic cell adapted to the characteristics of these lasers are discussed. The laser fabrication was made in two steps. The structure was firstly grown by molecular beam epitaxy then a metallic DFB grating was processed. The photoacoustic cell is based on a Helmholtz resonator that was designed in order to fully benefit from the highly divergent emission of the antimonide laser. An optimized modulation scheme based on wavelength modulation of the laser source combined with second harmonic detection has been implemented for efficient suppression of wall noise. Using a 2211 nm laser, sub-ppm detection limit has been demonstrated for ammonia. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All right reserved

Etude et réalisation d un analyseur multigaz à diodes lasers accordables

MONTPELLIER-BU Sciences (341722106) / SudocSudocFranceF

State-of-the-Art Laser Gas Sensing Technologies

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Influence du carburant et des systèmes de post-traitement des gaz d'échappement sur les émissions non réglementées des scooters, voitures et camions

Le secteur du transport joue un rôle majeur dans le changement climatique et la pollution atmosphérique. Parmi les secteurs d'origine anthropique, le transport routier est considéré comme le premier contributeur au réchauffement climatique, due notamment aux émissions de CO2, de précurseurs d'ozone, et d'aérosols carbonés (carbone noir). De plus, les émissions liées au transport routier telles que les oxydes d'azote (NOx), l'ammoniac (NH3), les carbonyles volatiles, les hydrocarbures gazeux, et les aérosols, contribuent à la dégradation de la qualité de l'air.Le but de cette étude était d'approfondir l'état des connaissances en termes de facteurs d'émissions associés au transport, pour les polluants en phases gazeuse et solide. Un intérêt particulier a été apporté sur l'influence des systèmes de post-traitement des gaz d'échappement, et de la qualité du carburant, sur les émissions d'espèces réglementées et non-réglementées. Des campagnes de mesure ont été menées sur différentes catégories de véhicules dans le laboratoire d'étude des émissions (VELA) du centre commun de recherche de la commission Européenne (JRC-EC) à Ispra, en Italie. La flotte de véhicules choisie comprenait des camions (moyens et poids lourds), des voitures et des deux-roues formant un ensemble représentatif des véhicules circulant en Europe. En plus des carburants classiques, essence et diesel, les véhicules ont été alimentés avec des carburants alternatifs tels que le bioéthanol, et le gaz de pétrole liquéfié. Les émissions en phase gazeuse ont été mesurées par spectroscopie infra-rouge à transformé de Fourier (FT-IR; pour les composés azotés, les carbonyles volatiles et les petits hydrocarbures), par spectrométrie de masse à temps de vol après ionisation multi-photonique résonnante (REMPI-ToF-MS; pour les hydrocarbures aromatiques mono et polycycliques), par spectromètrie de masse haute résolution à temps de vol dédié à l'analyse des aérosols atmosphériques (HR-TOF-AMS; pour les aérosols organiques), et par photométrie d'absorption multi-angle (MAAP; pour le carbone élémentaire).Parmi les véhicules étudiés, les scooters ont été les plus gros émetteurs d'aérosols organiques primaires et d'hydrocarbures mono et polycycliques. De plus, le système de post-traitement des gaz d'échappement étudié pour le scooter le plus récent (conforme à la réglementation Euro 2) pourrait être responsable d'émissions importantes d'aérosols organiques. Concernant les voitures, et en particulier celles équipées de moteurs à allumage par étincelle, la plupart de leurs émissions intervenaient en début de cycle, avant que la température d'amorçage du pot catalytique soit atteinte. Ces émissions liées au démarrage à froid du véhicule pouvaient masquer les effets bénéfiques des carburants alternatifs en terme d'émissions de précurseurs d'ozone. Finalement, les camions étaient les plus gros émetteurs de suie (carbone élémentaire) et de NOx. Malgré le fait que plusieurs systèmes de retrofit se sont montrés particulièrement efficaces pour réduire les émissions des polluants réglementés (particules et NOx) de ces véhicules, certains d'entre eux produisaient des quantités significatives de NH3. Ce projet a permis de collecter des informations précieuses pour l'élaboration de la législation relative au développement d'un transport durable en Europe.Transport sector plays a key role in global warming and air pollution. Among the anthropogenic sectors, on-road transport is recognized as the first contributor to global warming, mainly due to its emission of carbon dioxide, ozone precursors and carbonaceous aerosols. In addition, on-road transport contributes to the deterioration of air quality by releasing nitrogen oxides, ammonia, carbonyls, hydrocarbons and aerosols. However, the current European legislation of vehicles emissions focusses on a limited number of pollutants, namely hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.The aim of this work was to improve the knowledge about the emission factors of gas phase and particle-associated emissions from vehicle exhaust. The impacts of aftertreatment devices and fuel quality on regulated and unregulated species were studied. Several sampling campaigns with different types of vehicles were conducted in the vehicle emission laboratory (VELA) at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC) Ispra, Italy. The vehicles chosen were representative of some categories circulating in Europe (heavy duty vehicles, light duty vehicles, two-stroke mopeds), and either standard fuel or some alternative fuels (ethanol and liquefied petroleum gas) were used. The gas phase was monitored by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (carbonyls, nitrogen-containing species, small hydrocarbons), and a resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (mono and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The particulate phase was analyzed by a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (organic aerosol, chloride, nitrate), and a multiangle absorption photometer (black carbon). The mopeds were found to have the higher emission factors of primary organic aerosol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. While efficient to reduce the regulated emissions, the after-treatment used to comply with the moped Euro 2 emission standard might be responsible of large emission of unregulated organic aerosols. Most of the emission linked to the gasoline light duty vehicles were released before the light-off of the catalyst. Whereas alternative fuels studied helped to reduce ozone precursor emissions, the emissions associated to the cold start of the vehicle reduced this beneficial effect. Finally, the heavy duty diesel vehicle featured the highest NOx and black carbon emissions. Despite efficient retrofit and after-treatment systems (for particles and NOx), these vehicles could release significant amount of NH3. These results provided valuable insights for the drafting of legislation related to the achievement of sustainable transport in Europe.MONTPELLIER-BU Sciences (341722106) / SudocSudocFranceF

Methane detection based on photoacoustic spectroscopy with a new silicon micro-electromechanical resonator

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Breath acetone concentration: too heterogeneous to constitute a diagnosis or prognosis biomarker in heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis

International audienceAbstract Introduction: Exhaled breath acetone (ExA) has been investigated as a biomarker for heart failure (HF). Yet, barriers to its use in the clinical field have not been identified. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the ExA heterogeneity and factors of variability in healthy controls (HC), to identify its relations with HF diagnosis and prognostic factors and to assess its diagnosis and prognosis accuracy in HF patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PUBMED and Web of Science database. All studies with HC and HF patients with a measured ExA were included and studies providing ExA’s diagnosis and prognosis accuracy were identified. Results: Out of 971 identified studies, 18 studies involving 833 HC and 1009 HF patients were included in the meta-analysis. In HC, ExA showed an important heterogeneity (I²=99%). Variability factors were fasting state, sampling type and analytical method. The mean ExA was 1.89 times higher in HF patients vs. HC (782 [531-1032] vs. 413 [347-478] ppbv; p<0.001). One study showed excellent diagnosis accuracy, and one showed a good prognosis value. ExA correlated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) dyspnea (p<0.001) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (p<0.001). Studies showed a poor definition and reporting of included subjects. Discussion: Despite the between-study heterogeneity in HC, the evidence of an excellent diagnosis and prognosis value of ExA in HF from single studies can be extended to clinical populations worldwide. Factors of variability (ExA procedure and breath sampling) could further improve the diagnosis and prognosis values of this biomarker in HF patients