Bardabunga is quite presumptuous!
Ice-free measurement of volcanic ash concentration
The ThermoExperts manufacture pipe trace heaters for mass spectrometers for ice-free measurement of the concentration of volcanic ash in the atmosphere - the customer is the Laboratory for Environmental Measurement Technology at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences. The know-how from Stapelfeld is needed for the skilful assembly of mineral-insulated sheathed heating conductors that keep a stainless steel capillary tube at temperature. This design ensures that the measuring lines do not freeze and can only analyze ash particles - free of condensate or ice. These tube heaters are eventually installed in a complex mass spectrometer and mounted on the outside of an appropriate measurement aircraft.
The measured level of ash concentration is currently the only currently measurable variable for the air readiness department under Professor Konstantin Weber, which is an indicator of flight safety. The institute thus provides the German Federal Aviation Authority, the British Isles and Iceland with a basis for decision-making or risk assessment as to whether the volcanic ash is harmful to air traffic. However, it remains uncertain for the time being when and how often the unmentionable volcanoes Eyjafjallajökull or Bardarbunga in Iceland will spew ash into the busy airspace.
