Characterization of Aeris MIRA Ultra CH4/C2H6 and N2O/CO Analyzers

Gas analyzers are essential for projects that involve atmospheric composition, especially those related to the emission of greenhouse gasses. The Aeris MIRA Ultra and Strato instruments are new, lightweight, and user-friendly gas analyzers that may be particularly suitable for aircraft and drone deployments. For any reliable implementation, a comprehensive characterization of these instruments is required. In this study, we assess four Aeris instruments: the CH₄/C₂H₆ Ultra (Ultra 460), the N₂O/CO Ultra (Ultra 505), the CH₄/C₂H₆ Strato (Strato 333), and the N₂O/CO₂ Strato (Strato 497). Their precision and drift are evaluated by comparison with the performance of three fully-characterized reference instruments: the Picarro G2401-m, the Aerodyne Ethane Tildas, and the Aerodyne N₂O Tildas. Both reference and dilution calibrations were conducted in-lab, while deployment tests were executed using the University of Wyoming's Department of Atmospheric Science Mobile Lab. The results of the laboratory and Mobile Lab tests are analyzed and the discrepancies between them are addressed at length. The benefits and limitations of these instruments for aircraft and drone deployments, in comparison to existing equipment, are discussed.