Work

A water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS) with enhanced dynamic size range

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: A water-based fast integrated mobility spectrometer (WFIMS) with enhanced dynamic size range is developed. The WFIMS builds on two established technologies: the fast integrated mobility spectrometer and laminar flow water-based condensation methodology. Inside WFIMS, particles of differing electrical mobility are separated in a drift tube and subsequently enlarged through water condensation. Particle size and concentration are measured via digital imaging at a frame rate of 10 Hz. By measuring particles of different mobilities simultaneously, the WFIMS resolves particle diameters ranging from 8 to 580 nm within 1 s or less. The performance of WFIMS was characterized with differential mobility analyzer (DMA) classified (NH4)2SO2 particles with diameters ranging from 8 to 265 nm. The mean particle diameters measured by WFIMS were found to be in excellent agreement with DMA centroid diameters. Furthermore, detection efficiency of WFIMS was characterized using a condensation particle counter as a reference and is nearly 100% for particles with diameter greater than 8 nm. In general, measured and simulated WFIMS mobility resolutions are in good agreement. However, some deviations are observed at low particle mobilities, likely due to the non-idealities of the WFIMS electric field.Copyright © 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research

Source: Aerosol Science and Technology

DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2017.1338664

Authors: Tamara Pinterich, Steven R. Spielman, Susanne Hering, Jian Wang

Institutions: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Aerosol Dynamics (United States)

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze