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Development of a Versatile Aircraft Aerosol Mass Spectrometer for Organic Aerosol Analysis--Aerodyne Research, Inc., 45 Manning Road, Billerica, MA  01821-3934; 978-663-9500

Dr Douglas R. Worsnop, Principal Investigator

Dr. Charles E. Kolb, Business Official

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER82939

Amount:  $100,000

 

Aerosol particles have important effects on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health, although large uncertainties remain on their quantification.  A significant part of the anthropogenic aerosol is generated from energy-related activities.  Organic compounds are known to constitute a significant part of ambient aerosol mass in many locations. Measurement of these compounds is in "dismal state" according to a recent review. Particularly lacking are real-time, size-resolved, quantitative instruments for the measurement of chemical composition of organic aerosols, in particular the with the size, weight, ruggedness, and time resolution required aboard research aircraft.  A innovative aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) has been recently designed to fill a critical need for size-resolved, quantitative chemical composition data on aerosol particles.  We propose to upgrade the instrument for aircraft deployment with added improvements in organic composition analysis, particle shape measurement, and particle counting.  In addition, an aerosol inlet appropriate for aircraft sampling as well as engineering for aircraft installation will be implemented.  In Phase II, an aircraft compatible instrument will be constructed and demonstrated on the G-1 aircraft operated by the Department of Energy.  Phase I will include extensive mass spectrometric analysis and development of protocols for organic analysis based on laboratory aerosol sampling.  Other instrument upgrades will be tested in conjunction with aerosol sampling inlet designs and overall engineering required for aircraft deployment. 

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  An autonomous, light weight AMS instrument has the potential to provide aerosol measurement capabilities for a variety of monitoring applications, beyond the direct applications and extensions possible in the area of atmospheric research.  Because of the breadth of species potentially accessible with mass spectrometry, a portable instrument could be employed in ambient pollution monitoring, chemical and biological warfare agent identification, explosives/buried munitions detection for both assessment and enforcement, and the characterization and control of aerosol emissions from a variety of industrial and energy production processes, including semiconductor manufacturing tools, gas turbines, fluidized bed combustors, diesel combustors and conventional furnaces used for electrical power, thermal energy and propulsion applications, and a variety of other industrial processes which produce aerosol laden gaseous exhaust or waste streams.  We expect that the aerosol mass spectrometer developed in this program will yield a significant level of direct commercial sales and contract field measurements from the atmospheric sciences and environmental pollution research and development communities.  Its longer term commercial potential for routine PM_2.5  air quality monitoring could be much greater.