Methodology for Measuring PM 2.5 Separator Characteristics Using an Aerosizer

Author： Peters Thomas M. Vanderpool Robert W. Wiener Russell W.

ISSN： 1521-7388

Source： Aerosol Science and Technology, Vol.34, Iss.5, 2001-05, pp. : 398-406

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Abstract

A method is presented that enables the measurement of the particle size separation characteristics of an inertial separator in a rapid fashion. Overall penetration is determined for discrete particle sizes using an Aerosizer (Model LD, TSI, Inc., Particle Instruments/Amherst, Amherst, MA) time-of-flight measurement device by comparing the number concentration of particles penetrating through a separator to the concentration entering the separator. Critical measurements of separator characteristics are determined using a vibrating orifice aerosol generator to produce the challenge aerosol. Measurements of penetration requiring less precision and accuracy may be determined using nebulized suspensions of polystyrene latex microspheres as the challenge aerosol. The time for measuring a single penetration curve can be reduced from a week using vibrating orifice aerosol to fewer than 2 h using polystyrene latex microsphere aerosol. Validation of the penetration determined with this method was made by comparison to fluorometric techniques. It is estimated that penetration may be measured with an accuracy of ±4%, which is equivalent to an uncertainty of approximately 0.04 m in cutpoint diameter determination for PM_2.5 separators. The overall accuracy in deter mining a cutpoint diameter of a PM_2.5 separator (including uncertainty in the creation of test aerosols) is estimated to be better than 0.09 m.