Ground-based Counterflow Virtual Impactor Inlet System Model 1205

Description

The Brechtel Model 1205 GCVI is the ideal virtual impactor tool for probing the detailed properties of actual cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) inside real clouds. The GCVI was developed for long-term, unattended deployments at mountain and other sites with accessible clouds so researchers could explore aerosol-cloud interactions with the ease of ground operation. Significant anti-icing experience from decade-long aircraft inlet development was applied to the GCVI to ensure the automated wind tunnel lid would open and close reliably under most sampling conditions. With on-line cloud, rain and snow detection, the built-in software will automatically turn your system on when cloud is detected and off when the clouds disappear.

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All Features

The GCVI is the ideal tool for probing the detailed properties of actual cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) inside real clouds. It was developed for long-term, unattended deployment at sites with accessible clouds so researchers could explore aerosol-cloud interactions with the ease of ground operation. With on-line cloud, rain, and snow detection, as well as robust anti-icing systems, the built-in software will automatically turn your system on when cloud is detected and off when the clouds disappear.

• Peer-reviewed and characterized CVI Inlet
• Droplet cut size diameters between 7 and 15 microns
• 15 lpm total instrument sample flow
• Fully automated for long-term operation
• Laminar flow element measures sample flow and automatically adjusts to changing instrument flows
• Counter flow rate adjustable between 1 and 10 lpm to vary droplet cut size in real-time
• Automatic power on/off with easy-to-use software
• Wind tunnel lid opens and closes automatically
• Integrated rain/snow sensor
• Tower mountable
• Integrated anti-icing systems
• Removable porous tube tip assembly for easy cleaning

Benefits

Fully automated, hands-off operation
Wind tunnel tested, field validated and peer-reviewed
Designed for long-term, unattended deployment
Easy cleaning of tip assembly
Weather-proof rugged design
Easy to vary droplet cut size in real-time
Easy to use control software

Technical Specs

Parameter	Value
Droplet diameter cut size range	7-15 μm
Add flow rate range to tip	16-25 lpm
Add flow temperature range	20-45° C
Range of counterflow air flow rate	1-10 lpm
Constant air sample flow rate from CVI	15 lpm
Total air sample flow available to instruments	14 lpm
Compressor, vacuum pump and blower power (max)	2000 watts @ 230 VAC
Anti-icing power (max, provided by GCVI)	1160 watts
Total system power (max)	2050 watts
Weather-proof enclosure size	25"W x 50"H x 34"D
Weather-proof electronics enclosure weight	220 lb/99.8 kg
Total system weight	290 lb/131.5 kg
Wind tunnel inlet height (tower mounted)	2 to 10 meters
Wind tunnel flow rate	750-1,500 lpm
Wind tunnel throat velocity range	50-100 m/sec
System footprint size	2x2 meters
Operating temperature range	-20-35°C
Operating pressure range	500-1,000 mb (abs)
Note: It is the customer’s responsibility to physically mount the GCVI inlet to their tower or other platform.

Copyright ©2024 All specifications are subject to change without notice. BMI assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies in this document or for any obligation to update information in this document. BMI reserves the right to change, modify, transfer or otherwise revise this publication without prior notice.

*Some products may be shown with optional accessories, which are sold separately. Items shown may not be to scale.

Applications and Solutions

• Mountain station sampling sites
• Aerosol-cloud interactions
• Cloud condensation nucleus studies
• Cloud microphysics & radiation studies
• Pollution impacts on clouds
• Visibility impacts of fogs
• CCN & precipitation feedbacks
• Global climate model CCN datasets
• Weather modification studies

Software

The GCVI Reader software is installed on the included laptop and allows you to easily operate and configure the system to your needs. You can set the “cloud” visibility and RH thresholds the software uses to automatically turn on the complete GCVI so sampling begins when cloud is detected, even if you’re not there!

The software provides real-time current parameter values, including wind tunnel speed, droplet cut size, wind tunnel anti-ice system temperatures, and system flow rates. You can quickly adjust the droplet cut size and system configuration to suit your sampling needs. Operating pressure and various temperatures are monitored to maintain proper flow and anti-icing system control. Timeline plots of any desired parameter are available.

Further automate your aerosol measurements downstream of the GCVI by adding the optional Inlet Switching chassis (Model GCVI-I) to your GCVI. When cloud is detected, a control signal from the GCVI automatically moves a 3-way valve in the Inlet Switching chassis so instruments sample from the GCVI. When cloud is no longer present, the valve automatically moves to a position allowing instruments to sample from another inlet, for example, for clear-sky sampling.

What's Included

The Model 1205 GCVI inlet comes with the following items:

One CVI inlet sampling probe/wind tunnel assembly with anti-icing
Weather-proof enclosure with control electronics, dry-air supply, vacuum pump, wind tunnel blower, and sample LFE with 4-way splitter for instrument sample flow connections
Integrated rain/snow sensor to shut off wind tunnel automatically
Integrated Visibility and RH sensors to detect presence of cloud
Pitot Static wind tunnel throat air speed measurement
Wind tunnel water trap
Interconnect cables and tubing
Laptop with GCVI Reader control software
Operator’s manual

Note: It is the customer’s responsibility to physically mount the GCVI inlet to their tower or other platform.