Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) must first be transformed into NO before it can
be measured using the chemiluminescent reaction. NO2 is converted to
NO by a molybdenum NO2-to NO converter heated to about 325 °C.
The ambient air sample is drawn into the Model 42i Trace Level through
the sample bulkhead, as shown in Figure 1–1. The sample flows through a
capillary, and then to the mode solenoid valve.
The mode solenoid valve determines whether the sample flows through the
NO2-to-NO converter (NOx mode) or bypasses the NO2-toNO converter
(NO mode). The sample then flows through the converter output valve
and a flow sensor to the prereactor solenoid valve.
The prereactor solenoid valve directs the sample either to the reaction
chamber, where it mixes with ozone to give an NO reading, or to the
prereactor, where it reacts with ozone prior to the reaction chamber giving
a dynamic zero reading for the analyzer. The prereactor is sized so that
greater the 99% of a 200 ppb NO sample will react prior to entering the
reaction chamber, yet is small enough to allow other potential interferents
to pass through to the reaction chamber.
Dry air enters the Model 42i Trace Level through the dry air bulkhead,
passes through a flow switch, and then through a silent discharge ozonator.
The ozonator generates the ozone needed for the chemiluminescent
reaction. At the reaction chamber, the ozone reacts with the NO in the
sample to produce excited NO2 molecules. A photomultiplier tube (PMT)
housed in a thermoelectric cooler detects the luminescence generated
during this reaction.