CIRAS-3 Operation Manual V. 1.09
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As you can see, the delivery and measurement of the gas depends on a system of three pumps working
together. For the main air supply pump we use a diaphragm type pump, and for the Reference and
Analysis cells we use rotary vane pumps. All pumps are under user control, allowing you to determine
and set an optimal flow rate of air to the cuvette and leaf (air supply pump) as well as the sampling rate
by the IRGAs (reference and analysis pumps). We also ensured that the different path lengths of the
REF and AN gases from source to IRGA are accounted for, and with only a very small delay in response
time, the displayed console REF and AN readings are nearly instantaneous. In addition, Zero valves are
periodically activated for Zero or Diff Bal functions, diverting the gas streams from their normal paths.
