PTFE-Chambers for Experiments with Volatiles and Reactive gases such as Ozone

Examples of chamber configurations (c) Timkovsky et al. (2014)

VSI PTFE Chambers. Urban air pollution is typically characterized by high concentrations of ozone. This ozone is produced by well-understood reactions between (biogenic) volatile organic compounds (B/VOCs) and hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reactive substances in the atmosphere which have a strong impact on atmospheric chemistry. Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions constitute approximately 90% of global VOC emissions.

Environmental chambers to study interactions between Ozone, BVOC emissions and tree physiological status were designed together with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences for the project UOZONE. All mounting and side parts in contact with the air inside the 40 l plant/reaction chamber are made from Teflon (PTFE). In addition, an airtight stainless steel housing for an activated carbon filter (replaceable) was developed to scrubb the ambient air before entering the PTFE chambers for measurements.

PTFE Chambers for Ozone and BVOC measurements - Design Examples

VSI - PTFE chamber for gas flux measurements

VSI - PTFE chamber for gas flux measurements, with oaks :)

VSI - PTFE chamber for gas flux measurements, before installation of the PTFE plate on top of the steel chamber

VSI - PTFE chamber for gas flux measurements, connectors at bottom

VSI - PTFE chamber for gas flux measurements, without Teflon "disc"

VSI - PTFE chamber for gas flux measurements, detail Teflon "disc"

Images for illustration purposes only, design subject to change without notice

Activated Carbon Filter - Design Example

activated carbon filter housing, air tight (side view)

Activated carbon filter housing, air tight (top, can be opened to replace the C filter)

Activated carbon filter housing, air tight (bottom)

Images for illustration purposes only, design subject to change without notice

Selected reADINGs ON cHAMBERS USED FOR sTUDIES ON vOCS, BVOCS AND oZONE

Lüpke, M., R. Steinbrecher, M. Leuchner, and A. Menzel. 2017. The Tree Drought Emission MONitor (Tree DEMON), an innovative system for assessing biogenic volatile organic compounds emission from plants. Plant Methods 13:14.
Tanaka, P. L., D. T. Allen, and C. B. Mullins. 2003. An environmental chamber investigation of chlorine‐enhanced ozone formation in Houston, Texas. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 108.
Timkovsky, J., P. Gankema, R. Pierik, and R. Holzinger. 2014. A plant chamber system with downstream reaction chamber to study the effects of pollution on biogenic emissions. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 16:2301-2312.
Peron, A., Kaser, L., Fitzky, A.C., Graus, M., Halbwirth, H., Greiner, J. et al. (2020). Combined effects of ozone and drought stress on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds from Quercus robur L. Biogeosciences, 2020, 1-27. DOI: 10.5194/bg-2020-260
Zhang, X., R. Schwantes, R. McVay, H. Lignell, M. Coggon, R. Flagan, and J. Seinfeld. 2015. Vapor wall deposition in Teflon chambers. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 15:4197-4214.