Brechtel - Model 1204 -Aircraft Based Counterflow Virtual Impactor Inlet System (CVI)
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.
Significant anti-icing experience from over ten years of aircraft isokinetic and virtual impactor inlet development was applied to the CVI to ensure the system continued operation under most icing conditions.
- Controllable droplet cut size (7 to 15 microns)
- Easy to remove tip for cleaning and replacement
- 15 lpm of instrument sample flow
- 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
- Heated Add Flow to evaporate cloud droplets
- Anti-icing system
- Optional kit for Ground-based operation available
- Fully automated, hands-off operation
- Wind tunnel tested, field validated and peer-reviewed
- Designed for long-term, unattended deployment
- Custom mounting solutions available
- Easy to vary droplet cut size in real-time
- Easy to use control software
- 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 15 lpm
- Total air sample flow available to instruments 15 lpm
- Compressor, vacuum pump power (max) 650 watts @ 230 VAC
- Anti-icing power (max) 725 watts @ 28 VDC
- Operating temperature range -20-35°C
- Operating pressure range 200-1,000 mb (abs)
- Rack mountable electronics chassis size 17 x 7 x 12 in/43.2 x 17.8 x 30.5 cm
- Electronics chassis weight 20 lb/9 kg
- Total system weight 100 lb/45.4 kg
- Cloud condensation nucleus studies
- Cloud microphysics & radiation studies
- Pollution impacts on clouds
- Visibility impacts of fogs
- CCN & precipitation feedbacks
- Global climate model CCN datasets