Description
The Met One C-12 is a portable carbon monitor designed for the continuous measurement of black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC). Fully self-contained, it uses optical attenuation at two wavelengths (880 and 370 nm) through a filter to determine the concentrations of black and brown carbon contained in total suspended particulates (TSP), with a detection limit of less than 70 ng/m³ over one minute.
The Ideal Instrument for Measuring Black and Brown Carbon
Designed for outdoor environments, this device is fully weatherproof. Its fully self-contained design eliminates the need for costly or bulky protective enclosures. The Met One C-12 offers multiple installation options to adapt to the site’s topography. It can be mounted on a pole, wall, or tripod.
Field operation requires minimal maintenance. The system handles more than 500 filter feeds per roll. This high capacity ensures operation without human intervention for over two months. In addition, its low sampling flow rate of 1 L/min ensures reduced energy consumption, capped at 9.6 W. A simple solar panel power supply is sufficient to keep it operational in most regions. A standard AC power supply remains available.
The management of measurement campaigns relies on advanced connectivity. The instrument stores a large amount of data internally and features native USB and RS-232 ports. For remote monitoring, the analyzer includes the optional CCS3 COMET Cloud global cellular modem. This module transmits information in real time to a customized web dashboard.
Although it is more affordable than other commercially available carbon monitors, it is robustly built in the United States with a fully weatherproof metal housing. With proper maintenance and calibration, users can expect the device to last more than ten years.
The Met One C-12 enables granular measurement of black and brown carbon at an unbeatable total cost of ownership. Its accuracy was recognized with the Special Jury Prize at the 2023 AIRLAB Microsensors Challenge. Reports from the competition demonstrate excellent correlation with reference monitors, at a cost that is nearly 20% lower than standard solutions.
