-HELIOS-

HELIOS : Orleans Natural Radiation Atmospheric Simulation Chamber

Contacts : Véronique DAËLE, Wahid MELLOUKI

Features • Large volume : 90 m3 (diameter = 6m) • Low surface/volume ratio : 1,2 m-1 • Low concentrations in the range of ppb • Environmental temperature • Air pressure (ultrapure air) • Varying relative humidity • A 110 m2 laboratory located under the chamber → 1st experimental platform of this scale in France and 3rd in Europe

Instrumental park • IRTF (in situ) + multi-reflection system • Analysers O3, NOX, HONO, HCHO, BTEX, SO2 • Granulometer (SMPS) • Ozone generator • Temperature / relative humidity measurement • Mass spectrometers : PTR-TOF-MS ; FIGAERO-TOF-CIMS ; SAMU ; ORBITRAP • Infrared laser spectrometers : SPECIES, SPIRIT • Chromatographs : UHPLC-MS ; ATD-GC-MS ; GPC-MS/FID,PID ; IC → Measurement of trace gases of aerosols

Applications

• Study of photochemical processes in the atmosphere under controlled and realistic conditions
• Measuring air quality and its impacts, from local to global pollution :
      o Indoor pollution (local and health impact)
      o Atmospheric aerosol formation (local and health impact)
      o Deposition of pollutants on the natural environment and on crops such as pesticides (impacts on biodiversity and agriculture)
      o Effect on the climate of VOC degradation products, including fluorinated products (global impact)

→ Openness to the European and international scientific communities