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A Portable Instrument for Aerosol Particle Characterization

EPA Grant Number: U915771
Title: A Portable Instrument for Aerosol Particle Characterization
Investigators: Lake, Derek A.
Institution: University of Delaware
EPA Project Officer: Thompson, Delores
Project Period: August 1, 2000 through August 1, 2002
Project Amount: $70,864
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2000)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Chemistry and Materials Science , Engineering and Environmental Chemistry

Description:

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to develop and field test a portable device for real-time size and composition measurements of indoor and outdoor aerosols.

Approach:

This project involves the integration of three technologies - aerodynamic particle sizing, laser ablation, and ion mobility spectrometry - into one instrument. A commercially available aerodynamic particle-sizing tool is being adapted as part of this instrument. Ion mobility tubes will be mounted on the particle sizing apparatus without impeding the particle sizing abilities. The aerosol is pulled into the instrument where the particles are sized by laser velocimetry and then ablated by a 193 nm excimer laser. The ions are then extracted out of the gas flow into dual polarity, ion mobility tubes. Ions are separated in the tubes according to their electrophoretic mobility. Ion intensity is recorded as a function of time and correlated with the aerodynamic size of the ablated particle.

Expected Results:

Compiling aerodynamic particle sizing, laser ablation, and ion mobility spectrometry into one instrument will offer a very rugged, portable, and powerful tool to analyze ambient aerosols.

Supplemental Keywords:

ambient air, indoor air, analytical, environmental chemistry, measurement methods, ion mobility spectrometry, aerodynamic particle sizing, laser ablation, aerosol. , Air, Scientific Discipline, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, indoor air, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, aerosol, indoor air quality, ambient air, aerosol particles, air sampling, aerodynamic particle sizing, laser abiation, aerodynamic sizer, ion mobility spectrometry, environmental monitoring, particulates, particulate matter chemistry, aerosol particle characterization, indoor air chemistry

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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