Temperature and humidity controlled nephelometry: Improvements and calibration

Mark J Rood, D. S. Covert, T. V. Larson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An aerosol sampling instrument that measures the light scattering extinction coefficient of submicrometer aerosol particles under controlled relative humidity and temperature conditions has been improved. The instrument has the capability to detect and quantify the sulfate ion mass concentration and the ammonium-to-sulfate molar ratio of aerosols by analysis of the aerosolșs thermal decomposition profile, hygroscopic characteristics, and reactivity with gaseous NH3. As a result of the addition of a preheater-cooler assembly and improvements in the instrumentșs humidifier, heater, and cooler, sulfate ion mass concentration can be quantified at 0.5 μg/m3 with a 30-min averaging time. Also, the ammonium-to-sulfate molar ratio can be determined over a range from 0.0 to 2.0 with a precision of 0.2. The system was also calibrated to determine its response and sensitivity to aerosol particulate composition, relative humidity, thermal pretreatment, ammonia injection, and aerosol particle size.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)57-65
Number of pages9
JournalAerosol Science and Technology
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Pollution

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