Development of a simple and small sampling system for stratospheric air

对于平流层臭氧耗竭和全球变暖等大气环境问题，明确平流层中相关微量气体的变化是必不可少的。然而，我们对这个问题的认识仍然不足，主要是由于测量困难。在这项研究中，我们开发了一个小而简单的采样系统来收集平流层空气。为了设计我们的采样器，我们发射了一个小气球系统，然后在南极洲的Syowa站回收了它。考虑到这次初步实验的结果，我们决定使用GPS接收器跟踪采样器，使用Rawinsonde作为备用，使用无线电信标发射器在着陆后搜索贡多拉。本研究开发的采样器主要由样品容器、控制电路单元、电池、GPS接收机和发射机组成，所有部件组装在铝制框架内，铝制蜂窝用作减震器。采样器安装了吊篮翻转机构，以避免吊篮气体污染采样空气。采样器的总重量约为11公斤。样品容器体积为15l，材质为不锈钢，内壁经电抛光处理。电磁阀和手动阀由不锈钢制成，串联在容器上。采样器的气球系统主要由一个专门设计的4.5公斤重的橡胶气球、一个十字形降落伞、一个吊篮、一个气球破裂传感器、一个主绳切割器和一个雷温探空仪组成。气球和吊篮之间的距离被设置为大约10米，系统的总重量约为17公斤。此外，还研制了一种新的气体处理装置，以简化向橡胶球囊注入He气体的过程。开发的采样器于1997年1月在Syowa站发射，并在20公里处收集平流层空气后回收。1997年，为了提高采样器的性能，我们还开发了一种使容器内壁更清晰的方法和一种新型的用火药驱动的启闭阀。少

For atmospheric environmental problems such as the depletion of stratospheric ozone and the global warming, it is indispensable to clarify variations of relevant trace gases in the stratosphere. However, our knowledge of this issue is still insufficient, due primarily to difficulties in their measurements. In this study, we developed a small and simple sampling system to collect stratospheric air.For designing our sampler, we launched a small balloon system and then recovered it at Syowa Station, Antarctica. Considering the results of this preliminary experiment, we decided to employ a GPS receiver for tracking the sampler, a Rawinsonde for backup and a radio beacon transmitter for searching the gondola after landing.The sampler developed in this study consists mainly of a sample container, a control circuit unit, batteries, a GPS receiver and a transmitter, and all parts were assembled in an aluminum frame with aluminum honeycomb for a shock absorber. The sampler was equipped with a t … More urn-over mechanism of the gondola to avoid contamination of sample air due to gases from the gondola. Total weight of the sampler was about 11 kg. The sample container with a volume of 15l was made of stainless steel, and its inner wall was electrically polished. Electromagnetic and manual valves, made of stainless steel, were attached in series to the container.A balloon system for the sampler was comprised mainly of a specially-designed 4.5 kg rubber balloon, a cross-type parachute, a gondola, a balloon burst sensor, a main rope cutter and a Rawinsonde. The distance between the balloon and the gondola was set to about 10 m, and a total weight of the system was approximately 17 kg. A new gas handling unit was also prepared to simplify the injection of He gas into the rubber balloon.The sampler developed was launched at Syowa Station in January 1997 and recovered after collecting stratospheric air at 20 km. In 1997, to improve the performance of the sampler, we also developed a method for making the inner wall of the container clearer and a new-type open/close valve which is actuated using gunpowder. Less