TRITIUM EXCHANGE DETECTION OF STRATOSPHERIC WATER VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS:DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL RESULTS

摘要

A method for the detection of stratospheric concentrations of water vapor was characterized and utilized for the construction of an instrument flown in an aircraft. The method involves exchange of protons from ambient water vapor with tritium atoms substituted on active hydrogen atom sites of a polymeric substrate. Measurement of the released tritium concentration provides a measure of the water vapor concentration causing the release. Actual flight data obtained were indicative of a water contamination source which could not be identified within the available time and flight opportunities. Data adjusted for the contamination source indicated that satisfactory performance would be obtained if the contamination were eliminated.