Thermal/Optical Carbon Analyser Model 2001 A

Make: Model 2001A (commonly associated with Sunset Laboratory or Desert Research Institute)
Model: 2001A
Facility Status: Working
Category: Carbon Analysis
Available Equipment/Mode of Use: Typically automated for thermal/optical analysis of carbon content.
Facility Management Team and Location: CGC TEC, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR–NPL)
Department: Environmental Sciences & Biomedical Metrology
Lab Email ID: tuhin@nplindia.org, tuhinkumarmandal@gmail.com
Facility Location: Centre for Global Change, QSL Building, TEC
Lab Phone No: 01145609437

Facility Features, Working Principle, and Specifications:

• Features:

  • Combines thermal and optical methods for accurate differentiation of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC).

  • Automated sample processing for high throughput.

  • High sensitivity for trace carbon analysis.

• Working Principle:

  • Uses thermal-optical reflectance or transmittance to measure organic and elemental carbon in aerosol samples. The sample is heated in stages under different atmospheres (inert and oxidizing), and carbon is quantified by detecting evolved gases (e.g., CO2) via a flame ionization detector or nondispersive infrared sensor. Optical correction accounts for pyrolysis effects.

• Body Specification:

  • Specific details (e.g., temperature range, detection limits) vary by manufacturer; typically includes a quartz oven and laser-based optical system.

  • Compact design for lab use.

• Applications:

  • Air quality monitoring (e.g., particulate matter analysis).

  • Environmental research (e.g., atmospheric carbon studies).

  • Source apportionment of carbonaceous aerosols.