Qubit Gas Switching Systems (GSS) have been designed to work with Q-Box Packages to allow measurements of gas exchange from multiple samples with one set of gas analyzers. Our Gas Switching Systems allow monitoring of up to 8 different channels with a single Q-Box system such as Q-Box RP1LP Low Range Respiration Package, Q-Box RP2LP High Range Respiration Package, and up to 4 different samples with Q-Box NF1LP Nitrogen Fixation Package and Q-Box CO650 Plant CO2 Analysis Package. Qubit Gas Switching Systems allow multichannel measurements of respiration (VO2 and VCO2), nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, and transpiration. Gas switching systems are available in standard and enhanced versions. Standard GSS is designed for open flow measurements only and enhanced GSS is designed for both open flow and stop flow measurements.
When Gas Switching System is used with a Q-Box Package the larger flow gas pump (Q-P651) is used (3LPM no load). It carries the reference gas via the G261 low-pressure regulator to the flow meters. Each flow meter supplies and manually controls the flow of gas to each sample chamber. Output gas from all sample chambers is carried to the gas inputs on the gas switcher (G244 or G243). The specific chamber is selected by the software and its gas is carried to the analyzers and the flow monitor of the Q-Box via a solenoid valve associated with that channel inside the gas switcher. The switching between chambers is controlled via the digital control unit (C200) and the software. The output from the remaining chambers vents via the gas switcher vent ports to the atmosphere. As a result, all chambers have gas flowing past the sample at all times. Channel 1 is always used as a reference channel. This is an Open Flow setup.
The Gas Switching System can also be provided in an enhanced version for both Open-Flow and Stop-Flow measurements. Stop-Flow is employed when measuring small, inactive samples, i.e. single insects. Each chamber is associated with a solenoid assembly (A380) of two 3-way valves, which are activated to stop flow through the chamber and allow accumulation of CO2 and depletion of O2. When the valves become deactivated the gas from the chamber is swept through the gas analyzers of the Q-Box for measurements. Stop-Flow setup provides a more sensitive configuration.
- Up to four or eight channel Gas Switching Systems are available
- Standard GSS for open flow measurements, Enhanced GSS for open and stop flow measurements
- Measurements of gas exchange in multiple organisms with one set of analyzers
- Software control, data collection, and final calculations
- Calculated data displayed by channel in summary graphs and tables
measurements of multiple samples with one set of gas analyzers:
- photosynthesis and plant respiration
- animal respiration
- insect respiration
- soil respiration
- nitrogen fixation
- headspace gas analysis above water sample
- G244 Eight Channel Gas Switcher in GSS-8 OR G243 Four Channel Gas Switcher in GSS-4
- C200 Digital Control Unit
- Flow Meters (8 OR 4)
- G261 Low-Pressure Regulator
- Eight or four A380 solenoid valve assemblies for stop-flow measurements (enhanced GSS)
- Tubing and Connectors
- Customized Experimental Files (Logger Pro)
- Flow-through Chambers (Optional)
Three modes of operation are available for the gas switching system. Mode 0 allows sequential measurements of all channels from 1 to 8 (in eight channel system) with the reference channel being measured every 8 channels. Mode 1 allows sequential measurements of all channels with the reference channel being measured after each sample channel. In this mode, the reference signal is measured more frequently. Users can select the No of Channels, Mode, Dwell Time (on each channel)l and EventTime (time period for calculating average data at the end of each DwellTime) in the software. Manual mode can also be selected in the user parameter ManualCh to allow monitoring of a single channel during the setup of an experiment.
Software
The software allows viewing of data by channel and provides direct calculations of the key parameters such as VO2, VCO2, and RQ (when used with Q-Box RP1LP and Q-Box RP2LP packages).
