Abstract. This work describes the latest design, calibration and application of a near-infrared laser diode-based photoacoustic (PA) hygrometer, developed for total water content measurement in simulated atmospheric freezing precipitation and high ice water content conditions with relevance in fundamental icing research, as well as aviation testing and certification. The single-wavelength and single-pass PA absorption cell is calibrated for molar water vapor fractions with a two-pressure humidity generator integrated into the instrument. Laboratory calibration showed an estimated measurement accuracy better than 3.3 % in the water vapor mole fraction range of 510–12,360 ppm (5 % from 250–21,200 ppm) with a theoretical limit of detection (3 sigma) of 3.2 ppm. The hygrometer is examined in combination with a basic isokinetic evaporator probe (IKP) and sampling system designed for icing wind tunnel application, for which a general description of total condensed water content (CWC) measurement and uncertainties are presented. Despite the current limitation of the IKP to a hydrometeor mass flux below 90 g m−2 s−1, a CWC measurement accuracy better than 20 % is achieved by the instrument above a CWC of 0.14 g m−3 in cold air (−30 °C) with suitable background humidity measurement. Results of a comparison to the Cranfield University IKP instrument in freezing drizzle and rain show a CWC agreement of the two instruments within 20 %, which demonstrates the potential of PA hygrometers for water content measurement in atmospheric icing conditions.
Review of: Photoacoustic hygrometer for icing wind tunnel water content measurement: Design, analysis and intercomparison by Lang et al.
