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 wavelength. 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 measurementVaisala 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 examplesVaisala's instruments including the CARBOCAP® sensor technology range from hand-held meters, measurement modules, and industrial transmitters for CO2 measurements to multigas measurement solutions. 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 Multigas CO2 instrument MGP241 The new MGP241 is the smartest solution for heavy-duty CO2 measurement, from carbon capture to general industrial use. Read more 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 Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more CO₂ Probe GMP343 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP343 is an accurate and rugged probe-type instrument for ecological measurements. Typical applications include CO 2 soil respiration, ambient CO 2 monitoring, plant growth chambers, and OEM applications. Read more Indigo80 handheld measurement device The latest addition to the Indigo family of transmitters and probes, the Indigo80 is a compact, handheld indicator and data logger. Read more GMP80P portable carbon dioxide probe with pump sampling Vaisala CARBOCAP portable carbon dioxide probe with pump sampling GMP80P combines intelligent CO2 measurement with pump-aspirated sampling functionality. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Humidity Multigas Probe MGP261 Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP261 Multigas Probe for Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Humidity helps in improving your process and in protecting the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engine. Read more Methane and Carbon Dioxide Multigas Probe MGP262 Stop the loss. The Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP262 continuously measures the methane concentration in offgas from your biogas upgrading unit to keep you from letting your profits go up in the air. Read more Duct CO2 Transmitter GMD110 The duct-mounted high-accuracy transmitter GMD110 is designed to measure carbon dioxide in demanding HVAC applications. Read more Related articles Webinar How to measure CO2 for improved energy efficiency in HVAC systems Professionals in HVAC field often know the gains in using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a parameter in HVAC controls. What is sometimes overlooked, is that any type of CO2 measurement won't help to achieve better energy efficiency. There are few tips in using CO2 as a proxy measurement leading to cost savings and better conditions in all buildings every HVAC professional should know. Register to watch Webinar How and why to measure CO2 accurately? Depending on the environment and process, CO2 concentration is typically measured in ppm (parts per million) or percentage %-levels. In closed processes such as fermentation, incubators, and controlled atmosphere storage CO2 is measured in percentage levels. Register to watch White paper How to Accurately Measure CO2 in Life Science Incubators To help you ensure your incubator’s CO2 level is correct, download this white paper that discusses how to measure CO2 accurately in life science incubators. Download Customer case Decarbonization: Accurate measurements deliver solid results in concrete carbon curing with Carbonaide Vaisala’s cutting-edge measurement tools support construction industry’s carbon capture, utilization, and storage goals Learn more Vaisala technologies Vaisala BAROCAP® Technology Vaisala CARBOCAP® Technology Vaisala DRYCAP® Technology Vaisala HUMICAP® Technology Vaisala PEROXCAP® Technology Vaisala WINDCAP® Technology Vaisala RAINCAP® Technology There is room for more innovations – join us for an exciting career in technology
Products using CARBOCAP® Technology Multigas CO2 instrument MGP241 The new MGP241 is the smartest solution for heavy-duty CO2 measurement, from carbon capture to general industrial use. Read more 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 Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more CO₂ Probe GMP343 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP343 is an accurate and rugged probe-type instrument for ecological measurements. Typical applications include CO 2 soil respiration, ambient CO 2 monitoring, plant growth chambers, and OEM applications. Read more Indigo80 handheld measurement device The latest addition to the Indigo family of transmitters and probes, the Indigo80 is a compact, handheld indicator and data logger. Read more GMP80P portable carbon dioxide probe with pump sampling Vaisala CARBOCAP portable carbon dioxide probe with pump sampling GMP80P combines intelligent CO2 measurement with pump-aspirated sampling functionality. Read more 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. Read more 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. Read more Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Humidity Multigas Probe MGP261 Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP261 Multigas Probe for Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Humidity helps in improving your process and in protecting the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engine. Read more Methane and Carbon Dioxide Multigas Probe MGP262 Stop the loss. The Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP262 continuously measures the methane concentration in offgas from your biogas upgrading unit to keep you from letting your profits go up in the air. Read more Duct CO2 Transmitter GMD110 The duct-mounted high-accuracy transmitter GMD110 is designed to measure carbon dioxide in demanding HVAC applications. Read more
Multigas CO2 instrument MGP241 The new MGP241 is the smartest solution for heavy-duty CO2 measurement, from carbon capture to general industrial use. Read more
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 Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
CO₂ Probe GMP343 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP343 is an accurate and rugged probe-type instrument for ecological measurements. Typical applications include CO 2 soil respiration, ambient CO 2 monitoring, plant growth chambers, and OEM applications. Read more
Indigo80 handheld measurement device The latest addition to the Indigo family of transmitters and probes, the Indigo80 is a compact, handheld indicator and data logger. Read more
GMP80P portable carbon dioxide probe with pump sampling Vaisala CARBOCAP portable carbon dioxide probe with pump sampling GMP80P combines intelligent CO2 measurement with pump-aspirated sampling functionality. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Humidity Multigas Probe MGP261 Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP261 Multigas Probe for Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Humidity helps in improving your process and in protecting the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engine. Read more
Methane and Carbon Dioxide Multigas Probe MGP262 Stop the loss. The Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP262 continuously measures the methane concentration in offgas from your biogas upgrading unit to keep you from letting your profits go up in the air. Read more
Duct CO2 Transmitter GMD110 The duct-mounted high-accuracy transmitter GMD110 is designed to measure carbon dioxide in demanding HVAC applications. Read more
