Vaisala CARBOCAP® Technology for demanding environments First launched in 1997, the Vaisala CARBOCAP® sensor features a groundbreaking innovation – the micromachined, electrically tunable Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI) filter for built-in reference measurement. This reliable and stable sensor has been delivering accurate measurements since the late 1990s across a wide range of industries and applications, from building automation and safety to life sciences and ecological research. How it works Gases have a characteristic absorbance band in the infrared (IR) region, each at a unique wavelenght. When IR radiation is passed through a gas containing another gas we are measuring, part of the radiation is absorbed. Therefore, the amount of radiation passing through the gas depends on the amount of the measured gas present, and this can be detected with an IR detector. Structure of the CARBOCAP® sensor. Both reference and gas absorption are measured in the same optical path. The Vaisala CARBOCAP® sensor features an electrically tunable FPI filter. In addition to measuring gas absorption, the micromechanical FPI filter enables a reference measurement at a wavelength where no absorption occurs. When taking the reference measurement, the FPI filter is electrically adjusted to switch the bypass band from the absorption wavelength to a non-absorption wavelength. The reference measurement compensates for any potential changes in the light source intensity, as well as for contamination and dirt accumulation in the optical path. This feature means that CARBOCAP® sensor operation is highly stable over time. Instruments measuring at several absorption and reference wavelengths with a single light source are known as single-beam multi-wavelenght instruments.The technology is widely applied in costly analyzers. The unique feature of the CARBOCAP® sensor is its micromachined FPI filter, which performs a multiwavelength measurement using a single detector. The compact size of the sensor means that this advanced technology can be incorporated into small probes, modules, and transmitters. Typical applications for carbon dioxide measurement Vaisala CARBOCAP® sensor technology is well suited to a wide range of applications, but since the final customer value for each industrial application is unique, it depends on the product line how the CARBOCAP® sensor technology is implemented. In carbon dioxide measurement products, the technology is utilized for both ppm (parts per million) and percentage level measurements. Since CO2 replaces oxygen, it can be harmful to people in very high concentrations. CO2 is present at percentage levels only within closed processes such as fermentation and controlled atmosphere storage environments. Percentage-level measurements are also typical in life-science applications such as CO2 incubators. Normal atmospheric air includes CO2 at ppm levels. Typical CARBOCAP® applications include ventilation control in buildings occupied by people, animal shelters, and greenhouses. In areas where large volumes of CO2 are handled, reliable CO2 measurement with alarm control is an important safety precaution. The CARBOCAP® sensor is also a popular choice in ecological measurement applications such as biogas process lines, where excellent long-term stability and tolerance to harsh conditions are important requirements. For biogas applications, the technology is applied for multigas measurements, as it also helps improve the methane quality in the process. Product examples Vaisala's instruments including the CARBOCAP® sensor technology range from hand-held meters, measurement modules, and industrial transmitters for CO2 measurements to multigas measurement solutions.
Watch the video Vaisala CARBOCAP Technology CARBOCAP® Technology inside Vaisala uses a single-beam and dual-wavelength NDIR (Non-dispersive infrared) technology for measuring CO2, The patented CARBOCAP® technology is used in all our CO2 sensors. This technology incorporates a unique tunable band pass filter that was developed by Vaisala and is manufactured in our own state-of-the-art cleanroom. View this video to find out why it's unique and why it makes the Vaisala CO2 measurement the most reliable and accurate one on the market or learn more on our carbon dioxide page.
Products using CARBOCAP® Technology CO₂ Probe GMP231 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP231 is designed to provide incubator manufacturers with accurate and reliable carbon dioxide measurements and sterilization durability at high temperatures, up to 180 °C CO₂ Probe GMP251 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP251 is an intelligent, stand-alone, %-level probe for measuring CO2 in life science incubators, cold storage facilities, fruit and vegetable transportation, and in all demanding applications where stable and accurate percentage-level CO2 measurements are needed. CO₂ Probe GMP252 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP252 is an intelligent, stand-alone, ppm-level probe. It's intended for measuring CO2 in agriculture, refrigeration, greenhouses, demanding HVAC applications, and for plant growth chamber manufacturers. CO₂ Probe GMP343 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP343 is an accurate and rugged probe-type instrument for ecological measurements. Typical applications include CO2 soil respiration, ambient CO2 monitoring, plant growth chambers, and OEM applications. Handheld CO₂ Meter GM70 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Hand-held Carbon Dioxide Meter GM70 measures volume concentration of CO2 in the units of ppm or %. CO2, Temperature and Humidity Transmitter Series GMW90 The wall-mounted Vaisala GMW90 Series CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide, Temperature and Humidity Transmitters are especially suited for green building projects and demand controlled ventilation. CO2, Humidity and Temperature Transmitter Series GMW80 Measuring CO2 is the most economical way to monitor both indoor air quality (IAQ) and human presence with one sensor. CO₂ Transmitter Series GMD20 The duct-mounted Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Transmitter Series GMD20 are specially designed for demand-controlled ventilation (DCV).
CO₂ Probe GMP231 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP231 is designed to provide incubator manufacturers with accurate and reliable carbon dioxide measurements and sterilization durability at high temperatures, up to 180 °C
CO₂ Probe GMP251 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP251 is an intelligent, stand-alone, %-level probe for measuring CO2 in life science incubators, cold storage facilities, fruit and vegetable transportation, and in all demanding applications where stable and accurate percentage-level CO2 measurements are needed.
CO₂ Probe GMP252 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP252 is an intelligent, stand-alone, ppm-level probe. It's intended for measuring CO2 in agriculture, refrigeration, greenhouses, demanding HVAC applications, and for plant growth chamber manufacturers.
CO₂ Probe GMP343 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP343 is an accurate and rugged probe-type instrument for ecological measurements. Typical applications include CO2 soil respiration, ambient CO2 monitoring, plant growth chambers, and OEM applications.
Handheld CO₂ Meter GM70 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Hand-held Carbon Dioxide Meter GM70 measures volume concentration of CO2 in the units of ppm or %.
CO2, Temperature and Humidity Transmitter Series GMW90 The wall-mounted Vaisala GMW90 Series CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide, Temperature and Humidity Transmitters are especially suited for green building projects and demand controlled ventilation.
CO2, Humidity and Temperature Transmitter Series GMW80 Measuring CO2 is the most economical way to monitor both indoor air quality (IAQ) and human presence with one sensor.
CO₂ Transmitter Series GMD20 The duct-mounted Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Transmitter Series GMD20 are specially designed for demand-controlled ventilation (DCV).
Vaisala technology description Vaisala BAROCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala CARBOCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala DRYCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala HUMICAP® Technology Read More Vaisala PEROXCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala WINDCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala RAINCAP® Technology Read More There is room for more innovations – join us for an exciting career in technology Read More Vaisala BAROCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala CARBOCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala DRYCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala HUMICAP® Technology Read More Vaisala PEROXCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala WINDCAP® Technology Read More Vaisala RAINCAP® Technology Read More There is room for more innovations – join us for an exciting career in technology Read More
