6
Innovative
Aerosol Collector for On-Line Analysis of Individual Particulate Organics—Aerodyne
Research, Inc., 45 Manning Road, Billerica, MA
01821-3976; 978-663-9500
Dr.
John T. Jayne, Principal Investigator, jayne@aerodyne.com
Mr.
George N. Wittreich, Business Official, gnw@aerodyne.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER84269
Amount:
$749,074
Atmospheric
aerosol particles play an important role in the earth’s climate, visibility,
acid deposition, and human health. Detailed
chemical characterization of ambient aerosol particles is necessary in order to
fully understand the physical and chemical processes underlying the formation
and transformation of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. However,
standard analytical methods for detailed aerosol chemical speciation require
long sampling times, are subject to artifacts during aerosol collection and
storage, and are labor intensive. This
project will develop an Aerosol Collector Module and demonstrate its feasibility
for routine measurements of ambient and laboratory-generated aerosols in near
real time with high time resolution (< 1 hour averages), and without
artifacts due to filter sampling and storage.
Phase I designed and assembled the aerosol collection chamber, connected
it to an existing vacuum chamber, and prepared an interface to analytical
instruments. Control hardware and
software were designed and implemented. Laboratory-generated
organic particles were used to evaluate the concept. During
Phase II, an integrated, stand-alone Aerosol Collector Module will be developed.
Further improvements to the hardware will improve sensitivity and
linearity. A scheme to obtain
particle size measurements will be implemented.
Finally, the performance of the Aerosol Collector Module will be
demonstrated in field measurements of ambient aerosol particles.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as
described by the awardee: The
Aerosol Collector Module should provide a universal interface for aerosol
collection and concentration and should easily be adapted to existing analytical
techniques and new spectrometric techniques. The instrument should be ideal for
the on-line characterization of airborne particles emitted from anthropogenic
and natural or photochemically-produced sources in the atmosphere.
Due to its universal interface and its low cost both for acquisition and
operation, the long term commercial potential is large.