Brechtel products

 The Brechtel Model 1204 CVI is a virtual impactor inlet ideal for probing the detailed properties of actual CCN inside real clouds. The CVI was developed for aircraft deployment so researchers could explore aerosol-cloud interactions across a broad spectrum of cloud types and under different air mass source region conditions. Extensively wind-tunnel tested to characterize size-dependent transmission efficiencies, the CVI inlet has been successfully deployed in multiple field campaigns where excellent agreement was found between wing-mounted cloud probes and instruments sampling the CCN from the CVI.

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.

Sampling particles from moving platforms can be tough – especially larger coarse-mode aerosol that are easily lost inside inlets due to turbulent deposition. The Isokinetic Inlet System has been designed using our wind tunnel facility to minimize particle losses in aircraft sampling applications where automated operation and field-tested performance are required. Brechtel has over 14 years of aircraft sampling and isokinetic inlet development expertise to help with your application.

The PCVI is a virtual impactor that allows on-line separation of coarse from fine aerosol. The separation size is variable over the 0.3 to 5 micron diameter range, and the device is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. With two mass flow controllers, the flows inside the PCVI can be varied to quickly change the particle size that passes through the counterflow and into the sample outlet flow.

The SEMS is a scanning mobility spectrometer that allows rapid aerosol number size distribution measurements. Scan times of just a few seconds are possible. It also serves as a monodisperse particle generator to calibrate other particle instruments. The SEMS is an easy-to-use and field-ready tool. With an intuitive software interface, the SEMS is easy to configure with quick data post-processing capabilities. Plotting and analysis tools allow you to plot and analyze your data during acquisition. With the broadest size range commercially available, the SEMS can satisfy more scientific needs and adapt to changing research priorities.

Most particles in the atmosphere take up water when exposed to increasing relative humidity – this often explains the poor visibility during the early morning hours when the relative humidity is high and particles have swollen in size and more effectively scatter solar radiation. When we inhale particles they also grow into water droplets, how large they grow determines where they deposit in our respiratory systems. Brechtel developed the first commercial version of the Humidified Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (HTDMA) so researchers who wanted to explore the complexities of particle water uptake no longer had to build their own instruments, instead they could rely on our 20 plus years of experience with HTDMAs to invest in a solution that would let them focus on their science and not the tool.

The Model 9400 Base Module includes the software and hardware to communicate with, integrate and remotely control one or more 94XX modules, all at the same time. A ruggedized tablet PC with external serial control talks to and controls each module via a micro-USB hub. A simple-to-use graphical user interface automatically recognizes which modules are connected and activates the appropriate section of the software so you can monitor instrument health, data and remotely control the instrument via serial commands from an external computer. The software also makes it much easier to verify that all of your instruments are working properly before launching the mobile platform. The Base Module is an important add-on to your instrument suite to acquire aerosol samples from UAVs and other mobile platforms where remote control and monitoring capabilities are required. The compact size, low weight and minimal power use make it a great solution for applications requiring portability.

Perform real-time light absorption and black carbon measurements using light transmission through a filter with the Tricolor Absorption Photometer (TAP). Based on a decades-proven design that is simple to use and maintain, the TAP measures light absorption at three wavelengths by particles deposited on a filter. By assuming a mass extinction efficiency, the ambient mass loadings of black carbon can also be determined. The TAP has been deployed at Global Aerosol Watch sites around the world for many years, demonstrating good agreement with other simultaneously deployed filter-based light absorption methods.

 The PILS is one of the simplest methods available to acquire samples for aerosol chemistry applications. It can be easily integrated with the analytical method of your choice. Ion chromatography systems and total organic analyzers are routinely used with the PILS. These analytical methods allow on-line analyses of aerosol chemistry for major water soluble ions and organic species. Brechtel also offers a vial collection system to deliver liquid sample to vials if you don’t want to bring your aerosol chemistry lab to the field. The vial collection also lets you set your sample time resolution based on your research needs and not based on the speed of your analytical method.