CESAM: description and transnational access

1. Introduction

The CESAM reactor has been designed to investigate the interactions (exchange, condensation, chemical reactivity, dissolution) between gas and solid phases. As the radical sources we will be investigated are photo-induced, a great care has be taken with the realism of the irradiation. This device is equipped with up-to-date analytical tools to characterize the chemical and the physical state of gas, aqueous and solid phases. Moreover, this chamber is located in a 170 m² hall based in the ground floor which enables an easy access for heavy instruments (PTR-MS, AMS, IRMS, ...) .
One key feature of this chamber is that its versatility enable numerous connections to the chamber for other instruments, making CESAM a good platform for intercalibration campains. Another key feature is the possibility to generate cloud/fog inside the chamber to study hydrometeores photochemistry or aerosol ageing during avapo-condensation processes. Furthermore, it is possible to study atmospheric photochemistry at various altitude : Thank to a filter set-up, it is possible to adjust the light source in order to work with solar spectra representatives from ground level to 60 km altitude. CESAM is part of the Transnational Access of Euochamp-2.

2. Description of the research facility

2.1. Technical data

This chamber (made of stainless steel) offers a volume of 4.2 m³ with a double walls design allowing a cooling of the chamber. The surface-to-volume ratio is equal to 4.3 m^-1. To produce an irradiation flux as close as possible of the solar spectrum, three 4kW high pressure xenon arc lamps are located above large quartz windows.The analytical devices available on this chamber include a long path in-situ FTIR, GC-MS, HPLC derivatization and monitors for gas-phase composition. Particule size distribution is measured by SMPS and optical partical spectrometer (VELAS) which combinaison offer information from 10 nm to 20 micron. Chemical composition analysis of particules is measured by off-line (SFE-GC-MS) .

2.2. Images

2.3. Publications

Wang, J., Doussin, JF, Perrier S., Perraudin E., Katrib Y., Pangui E., Picquet-Varrault B. ; Design of a new multi-phase experimental simulation chamber for atmospheric photosmog formation, aerosol and cloud chemistry investigations, submitted to Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Chiappini, L., E. Perraudin, R. Durand-Jolibois and J.F. Doussin.Development of a supercritical fluid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the identification of highly polar compounds in secondary organic aerosols formed from biogenic hydrocarbons in smog chamber experiments. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 386, (6),pp. 1749-1759, (2006)

2.4. Access to the chamber under Eurochamp TA

Requests for access to the PARIS12 chamber are processed centrally within EUROCHAMP 2. The users will have access to all equipements of the infrastructure for the duration of the stay. The planning of the experiments will be decided jointly between the staff of LISA and the visitors. The minimum duration of the stay is 5 days but typical duration are 1-3 weeks. Users will work directly with LISA staff i.e. Pr. Jean-François Doussin, Dr. Yasmine Katrib-Kouchnir, Edouard Pangui (Ing), Dr. Emilie Perraudin, Dr. Sebastien Perrier or Dr. Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault.

Unit of access is defined as one day spent by any group at the PARIS12 chamber. The full time period is counted from the day of arrival until the day of departure; the eligible period thus includes also the preparatory phase to set up instruments at the beginning. The cleaning periods are counted as well (generally performed overnight, it can sometime be longer depending the experiment performed or the sensitivity of the experiment planned to the background reactivity). Of course, the chamber cannot be used for other purposes during this cleaning procedure. The access include consumables, maintenance, staff for experiment days and preparatory work (about 25% of experiment time) at the facility.

3. Institution in charge of the laboratory facility

PARIS12 is partner 11 in Eurochamp-2.

3.1. Contact Information

 Prof. Jean-François Doussin, phone: +33 1 45 17 15 85, fax: +33 1 45 17 15 64

 Dr. Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, phone: +33 1 45 17 15 86, fax: +33 1 45 17 15 64

Equipe MEREIA (Reactivity and Measurements of Species of Atmospheric Interest)
Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques Faculté des Sciences
61, avenue du Général De Gaulle, F-94010 Créteil Cedex, FRANCE

4. Additional Information

n.a.