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Aerosol Mass
Spectrometry via Laser-Induced Incandescence Particle Vaporization--Aerodyne
Research, Inc., 45 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821-3976; 978-663-9500; www.aerodyne.com
Dr. Achim M. Trimborn, Principal Investigator, trimborn@aerodyne.com
Mr. George N.
Wittreich, Business Official, gnw@aerodyne.com
DOE Grant No.
DE-FG02-07ER84890
Amount: $100,000
Aerosol particles have important
impacts on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health. A large fraction of the anthropogenic aerosol
is generated from energy-related activities, and carbonaceous species are known
to constitute a significant fraction of ambient aerosol mass in many locations. In particular, black carbon (BC), formed in
combustion processes, is believed to have a strong
influence on the earth’s climate, due to its strong light-absorbing
character. Hence, there is a need for
quantitative measurements of the chemical composition, mixing state, and
atmospheric transformations of BC-containing aerosols; however, such
measurements are largely lacking at present.
An innovative thermal desorption,
time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer has been developed to fill a critical
need for size-resolved, quantitative chemical composition data on aerosol
particles. This project will develop and
implement a new laser-based vaporization technique for this instrument, which
will enable full characterization of black carbon components, including their
state of internal and external mixing.
This laser vaporization module will provide a critical addition to the
aerosol mass spectrometer, which at present does not directly measure
refractory components such as soot and dust.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Beyond
atmospheric research, the combined aerosol
mass spectrometer and laser vaporization module would have the potential to
provide an aerosol measurement capability for a variety of monitoring
applications. The instrument is ideally
suited for the characterization and control of aerosol emissions from a number
of industrial and energy production processes (including semiconductor
manufacturing, gas turbines, fluidized bed combustors, diesel combustors, and
conventional furnaces) that produce aerosol-laden exhaust.