Collection efficiency of a midget impinger for nanoparticles in the range of 3–100 nm

Impingers have been employed for collection of biological particles for a long time and the collection efficiency for submicron particles has been well studied for a few impinger models, like the SKC Biosampler and the AGI 30. These efficiency studies have been limited to particles larger than about 15 nm. The aim of this research is to determine the collection efficiency of ultrafine particles (from 3 to 100 nm) of a 25 ml midget impinger. The effect of different collection parameters (particle type, collection fluid volume and type and flow rate) was studied and results are presented here. All results showed minimum collection efficiencies from 3 to 10% at approximately 40–57 nm. Increasing the volume of the collection liquid and flow rate improved the collection efficiency of the impinger.     

Removal of Ultrafine and Fine Particulate Matter from Air by a Granular Bed Filter

Abstract

The removal efficiency of granular filters packed with lava rock and sand was studied for collection of airborne particles 0.05–2.5 μm in diameter. The effects of filter depth, packing wetness, grain size, and flow rate on collection efficiency were investigated. Two packing grain sizes (0.3 and 0.15 cm) were tested for flow rates of 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 L/min, corresponding to empty bed residence times (equal to the bulk volume of the packing divided by the airflow rate) in the granular media of 60, 30, and 20 sec, respectively. The results showed that at 1.2 L/min, dry packing with grains 0.15 cm in diameter removed more than 80% (by number) of the particles. Particle collection efficiency decreased with increasing flow rate. Diffusion was identified as the predominant collection mechanism for ultrafine particles, while the larger particles in the accumulation mode of 0.7–2.5 μm were removed primarily by gravitational settling. For all packing depths and airflow rates, particle removal efficiency was generally higher on dry packing than on wet packing for particles smaller than 0.25 μm. The results suggest that development of biological filters for fine particles is possible.     

Removal of ultrafine and fine particulate matter from air by a granular bed filter

The removal efficiency of granular filters packed with lava rock and sand was studied for collection of airborne particles 0.05-2.5 microm in diameter. The effects of filter depth, packing wetness, grain size, and flow rate on collection efficiency were investigated. Two packing grain sizes (0.3 and 0.15 cm) were tested for flow rates of 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 L/min, corresponding to empty bed residence times (equal to the bulk volume of the packing divided by the airflow rate) in the granular media of 60, 30, and 20 sec, respectively. The results showed that at 1.2 L/min, dry packing with grains 0.15 cm in diameter removed more than 80% (by number) of the particles. Particle collection efficiency decreased with increasing flow rate. Diffusion was identified as the predominant collection mechanism for ultrafine particles, while the larger particles in the accumulation mode of 0.7-2.5 microm were removed primarily by gravitational settling. For all packing depths and airflow rates, particle removal efficiency was generally higher on dry packing than on wet packing for particles smaller than 0.25 microm. The results suggest that development of biological filters for fine particles is possible.     

Spray Charging and Trapping Scrubber for Fugitive Particle Emission Control

The control of fugitive process emissions (FPE) with Spray Charging and Trapping (SCAT) scrubber was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. The SCAT uses air curtain and/or jets to contain, convey, and divert the FPE into a charged spray scrubber.

Experiments were performed on an 8000 cfm bench-scale spray scrubber to verify the theory and feasibility of collecting fugitive particles with charged water spray. The effects of charge levels on drops and particles, nozzle type, drop size, gas velocity, and liquid/gas ratio on collection efficiency were determined experimentally. The results of the experiments and the comparison between theory and data are presented.

An air curtain was developed for conveying the FPE to the spray scrubber, deflecting the crosswind, and containing hot buoyant plume. The design and air flow field for the air curtain are presented.     

Determination of fine particulate semi-volatile organic material at three eastern U.S. sampling sites

Correct assessment of fine particulate carbonaceous material as a function of particle size is, in part, dependent on the determination of semi-volatile compounds, which can be lost from particles during sampling. This study gives results obtained for the collection of fine particulate carbonaceous material at three eastern U.S. sampling sites [Philadelphia, PA; Shenandoah National Park, VA; and Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC] using diffusion denuder technology. The diffusion denuder samplers allow for the determination of fine particulate organic material with no artifacts, due to the loss of semi-volatile organic particulate compounds, or collection of gas-phase organic compounds by the quartz filter during sampling. The results show that an average of 41, 43, and 59% of fine particulate organic material was lost as volatilized semi-volatile organic material during collection of particles on a filter at Philadelphia, RTP, and Shenandoah, respectively. The particle size distribution of carbonaceous material retained by a filter and lost from a filter during sampling was obtained for the samples collected at Philadelphia and Shenandoah. The carbonaceous material retained by the particles during sampling was found predominantly in particles smaller than 0.4 microm in aerodynamic diameter. In contrast, the semi-volatile organic material lost from the particles during sampling had a mass median diameter of approximately 0.5 microm.     

Determination of Fine Particulate Semi-Volatile Organic Material at Three Eastern U.S. Sampling Sites

ABSTRACT

Correct assessment of fine particulate carbonaceous material as a function of particle size is, in part, dependent on the determination of semi-volatile compounds, which can be lost from particles during sampling. This study gives results obtained for the collection of fine particulate carbonaceous material at three eastern U.S. sampling sites [Philadelphia, PA; Shenandoah National Park, VA; and Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC] using diffusion denuder technology. The diffusion denuder samplers allow for the determination of fine particulate organic material with no artifacts, due to the loss of semi-volatile organic particulate compounds, or collection of gas-phase organic compounds by the quartz filter during sampling. The results show that an average of 41, 43, and 59% of fine particulate organic material was lost as volatilized semi-volatile organic material during collection of particles on a filter at Philadelphia, RTP, and Shenandoah, respectively. The particle size distribution of carbonaceous material retained by a filter and lost from a filter during sampling was obtained for the samples collected at Philadelphia and Shenandoah. The carbonaceous material retained by the particles during sampling was found predominantly in particles smaller than 0.4 μm in aerodynamic diameter. In contrast, the semi-volatile organic material lost from the particles during sampling had a mass median diameter of ~0.5 μm.     

Sampling Submicrometer Particles Suspended in Near Sonic and Supersonic Free Jets

This paper is concerned with sampling submicrometer particles in perisonic flows. The study employed a high volume (30-45 L/min) condensation aerosol generator to produce stearic acid particles having a mean diameter of 0.8μm and a geometric standard deviation of 1.28. The aerosol was diluted with dry air and accelerated to Mach 0.6, 0.8, 1.26, or 1.47 through a flow nozzle. Aerosol mass concentrations were determined using a small bore probe in the jet and by a large bore probe sampling isokinetically upstream of the jet nozzle. The results of both samples were compared to compute the sampling error associated with I ho high spood jot sample. The mass of stearic acid colloctod on polycarbonate mombrono flltors was determined by gravimoirlc and chromalogrophlc mothods. Studies at Mach 0.8 with four sampling probes having Inlet wall to bore area ratios ranging from 3.8 to 0.28 (a knife edge) demonstrated that probe wall thickness effects are not significant when the sample is extracted isokinetically. Subisokinetic experiments using the knife edged probe showed relative errors of 124 ± 12% when sampling at 2 0% of the isokinetic condition. The subisokinetic results are compared favorably with the extended empirical results of other authors. For the supersonic cases it is shown that the subsonic velocity downstream of the sampling probe bow shock can be used in estimating the sampling error.     

C5–C12 volatile organic compounds at roadside,residential, and background locations in Ankara,Turkey: Temporal and spatial variations and sources

Abstract

Particle emissions of modern diesel engines are of a particular interest because of their negative health effects. The special interest is in nanosized solid particles. The effect of an open channel filter on particle emissions of a modern heavy-duty diesel engine (MAN D2066 LF31, model year 2006) was studied. Here, the authors show that the open channel filter made from metal screen efficiently reduced the number of the smallest particles and, notably, the number and mass concentration of soot particles. The filter used in this study reached 78% particle mass reduction over the European Steady Cycle. Considering the size-segregated number concentration reduction, the collection efficiency was over 95% for particles smaller than 10 nm. The diffusion is the dominant collection mechanism in small particle sizes, thus the collection efficiency decreased as particle size increased, attaining 50% at 100 nm. The overall particle number reduction was 66–99%, and for accumulation-mode particles the number concentration reduction was 62–69%, both depending on the engine load.     

Performance Characteristics of PM10 Samplers under Calm Air Conditions

ABSTRACT

The size range of airborne particles that is closely related to specific deposition regions in the human respiratory tract and excess lung burden of these deposited particles is associated with disease. Size-selective sampling, therefore, needs to be performed to assess the related health risks. Performance criteria applied to these samplers must be well characterized in order to provide accurate and reliable results. The PM₁₀ samplers that have been used in place of the total suspended particulate samplers for the collection of ambient air particles are more relevant to potential inhalation hazards. In order to be certified, a PM₁₀ sampler must meet reliable performance specifications, primarily the aerosol penetration test with liquid and solid particles in a wind tunnel (wind speeds of 2, 8, and 24 km/hr). This testing is intended to assure reasonable accuracy in aerosol measurements. However, the sampler performance under calm air conditions has not been well studied.

In the present study, the sampling heads of three devices—the Harvard impactor, the Personal Environmental Monitor (PEM), and the Sierra Andersen model 241 dichotomous sampler PM₁₀ inlet head—were tested for aerosol separation efficiency. With the consideration of bias and imprecision of the measurements, five specimens of each type of sampler were chosen for performance testing, repeating the tests 5 times for each specimen. An ultrasonic atomizing nozzle was used to nebulize potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate and dioctyl phthalate particles as the solid and liquid challenge aerosols, respectively. The aerosol number concentrations and size distributions upstream and downstream of the samplers were measured by using an aerosizer calibrated against a settling velocity chamber. The results showed that among the samplers tested, the dichotomous sampler PM₁₀ inlet head had the best fit to the PM₁₀ convention, while the other two samplers not only appeared to have a steeper separation-curve slope but also had significant particle bounce when challenged with solid particles. Analysis of variance also confirmed the superiority of the dichotomous samplers. Surface-coating with oil or grease greatly reduced the problem of particle bounce.     

Performance characteristics of PM10 samplers under calm air conditions

The size range of airborne particles that is closely related to specific deposition regions in the human respiratory tract and excess lung burden of these deposited particles is associated with disease. Size-selective sampling, therefore, needs to be performed to assess the related health risks. Performance criteria applied to these samplers must be well characterized in order to provide accurate and reliable results. The PM10 samplers that have been used in place of the total suspended particulate samplers for the collection of ambient air particles are more relevant to potential inhalation hazards. In order to be certified, a PM10 sampler must meet reliable performance specifications, primarily the aerosol penetration test with liquid and solid particles in a wind tunnel (wind speeds of 2, 8, and 24 km/hr). This testing is intended to assure reasonable accuracy in aerosol measurements. However, the sampler performance under calm air conditions has not been well studied. In the present study, the sampling heads of three devices--the Harvard impactor, the Personal Environmental Monitor (PEM), and the Sierra Andersen model 241 dichotomous sampler PM10 inlet head--were tested for aerosol separation efficiency. With the consideration of bias and imprecision of the measurements, five specimens of each type of sampler were chosen for performance testing, repeating the tests 5 times for each specimen. An ultrasonic atomizing nozzle was used to nebulize potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate and dioctyl phthalate particles as the solid and liquid challenge aerosols, respectively. The aerosol number concentrations and size distributions upstream and downstream of the samplers were measured by using an aerosizer calibrated against a settling velocity chamber. The results showed that among the samplers tested, the dichotomous sampler PM10 inlet head had the best fit to the PM10 convention, while the other two samplers not only appeared to have a steeper separation-curve slope but also had significant particle bounce when challenged with solid particles. Analysis of variance also confirmed the superiority of the dichotomous samplers. Surface-coating with oil or grease greatly reduced the problem of particle bounce.     

新型多级冲击采样器切割粒径的标准粒子实验分析

大气溶胶对环境污染、气候变化以及人体健康有着重要的影响,大气溶胶的采集和分析已成为当前大气环境研究领域中的一个重要课题.论述的新型多级冲击采样器能够实现大气溶胶颗粒物按空气动力学粒径的大小7级分离采集,提供大致均匀的平面样品以进行后续的物理、化学分析,同时保证各分级切割粒径的稳定性.利用振动孔溶胶发生器产生均匀、粒径大致相同、单分散相的1.5～17μm空气动力学粒径标准粒子,对新型多级冲击采样器前三级的切割粒径和收集效率进行鉴定性分析实验,结果表明,能够满足对大气溶胶颗粒物分级采集的要求.     

Fine particle removal performance of a two-stage wet electrostatic precipitator using a nonmetallic pre-charger

A novel two-stage wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) has been developed using a carbon brush pre-charger and collection plates with a thin water film. The electrical and particle collection performance was evaluated for submicrometer particles smaller than 0.01- 0.5 micrometer in diameter by varying the voltages applied to the pre-charger and collection plates as well as the polarity of the voltage. The collection efficiency was compared with that calculated by the theoretical models. The long-term performances of the ESP with and without water films were also compared in tests using Japanese Industrial Standards dust. The experimental results show that the carbon brush pre-charger of the two-stage wet ESP had approximately 10% particle capture, while producing ozone concentrations of less than 30 ppb. The produced amounts of ozone are significantly lower than the current limits set by international agencies. The ESP also achieved a high collection rate performance, averaging 90% for ultrafine particles, as based on the particle number concentration at an average velocity of 1 m/sec corresponding to a residence time of 0.17 sec. Higher particle collection efficiency for the ESP can be achieved by increasing the voltages applied to the pre-charger and the collection plates. The decreased collection efficiency that occurred during dust loading without water films was completely avoided by forming a thin water film on the collection plates at a water flow rate of 6.5 L/min/m(2).     

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Recovery Efficiency from Stack Gas and Ambient Air

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are now recognized as presenting a severe environmental hazard because of their toxicity and persistence in the environment. High temperature combustion has been shown to be an effective method for destroying these compounds.¹ Unfortunately, few facilities are available for their destruction. As part of a feasibility study to convert a liquid-waste incinerator designed for waste fuel to a PCB waste, the sampling efficiency of toluene filled fritted impingers and Chromosorb 102 filled tubes was evaluated.     

Development and evaluation of an impactor for a PM2.5 speciation sampler

A conventional impactor for a particle speciation sampler was developed and validated through laboratory and field tests. The speciation sampler consists of the following components: a PM2.5 conventional impactor that removes particles larger than 2.5 microns, an all-glass, coated honeycomb diffusion denuder, and a 47-mm filter pack. The speciation sampler can operate at two different sampling rates: 10 and 16.7 L/min. An experimental characterization of the impactor's performance was conducted. The impactor's collection efficiency was examined as a function of critical design parameters such as Reynolds number, the distance from the nozzle exit to the impaction plate, and the impaction substrate coating method. The bounce of particles larger than the cut point was successfully minimized by using a greased surface as the impaction substrate. Additionally, a series of field intercomparison experiments were conducted at both 10 and 16.7 L/min airflow. PM2.5 mass and SO4(2-) concentrations were measured and compared with the Federal Reference Method (FRM) and found to be in good agreement. Results of the laboratory chamber tests also indicated that the impactor's performance was in good agreement with the FRM.     

Evaluating the performance of a turbulent wet scrubber for scrubbing particulate matter

A turbulent wet scrubber was designed and developed to scrub particulate matter (PM) at micrometer and submicrometer levels from the effluent gas stream of an industrial coal furnace. Experiments were conducted to estimate the particle removal efficiency of the turbulent scrubber with different gas flow rates and liquid heads above the nozzle. Particles larger than 1 µm were removed very efficiently, at nearly 100%, depending upon the flow rate, the concentration of the dust-laden air stream, and the water level in the reservoir. Particles smaller than 1 µm were also removed to a greater extent at higher gas flow rates and for greater liquid heads. Pressure-drop studies were also carried out to estimate the energy consumed by the scrubber for the entire range of particle sizes distributed in the carrier gas. A maximum pressure drop of 217 mm H₂O was observed for a liquid head of 36 cm and a gas flow rate of 7 m³/min. The number of transfer units (NTU) analysis for the efficiencies achieved by the turbulent scrubber over the range of particles also reveals that the contacting power achieved by the scrubber is better except for smaller particles. The turbulent scrubber is more competent for scrubbing particulate matter, in particular PM_2.5, than other higher energy or conventional scrubbers, and is comparable to other wet scrubbers of its kind for the amount of energy spent.

Implications: The evaluation of the turbulent scrubber is done to add a novel scrubber in the list of wet scrubbers for industrial applications, yet simple in design, easy to operate, with better compactness, and with high efficiencies at lower energy consumption. Hence the turbulent scrubber can be used to combat particulate from industrial gaseous effluents and also has a scope to absorb gaseous pollutants if the gases are soluble in the medium used for particles capture.     

Response of a grassland ecosystem to air pollutants: II--The chemical climate: Fluxes of sedimenting airborne matter

Measurement of the deposition of sedimenting particles requires a sampling device, which avoids simultaneous deposition of gases and aerosols to the collection surface. A sampler constructed for the purpose of collecting rain and sedimenting particles is described and characterized in detail, in particular with regard to its collection efficiency for rain. Its collection properties for gases and aerosols are shown to be negligible. From two years of sampling at different heights it was found that resuspension of particles and co-condensation of gases near the plant canopy may lead to a major overestimation of bulk deposition. As a consequence, the extension towards the canopy of the constant flux layer for sedimenting particles has to be determined experimentally. Bulk deposition of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, lead, copper, cadmium, manganese, iron, ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, total sulfur and chloride at Braunschweig-V?lkenrode, Southeast Lower Saxony, Germany, were recorded for six years. During this period a considerable decrease was observed in the deposition of lead, cadmium, nitrate, sulfate and total sulfur.     

High volume electrostatic field-sampler for collection of fine particle bulk samples

A high volume electrostatic field-sampler was developed for collection of fine particles, which easily can be recovered for subsequent sample characterisation and bioassays. The sampler was based on a commercial office air cleaner and consisted of a prefilter followed by electrostatic collection plates operating at 2.7 kV. The sampler performance was characterised for 26 nm to 5.4 μm-size particles in urban street air. The collection efficiency reached a maximum (60–70%) between 0.2 and 0.8 μm and dropped to ∼25% at 30 nm and 2.5 μm, respectively. After extraction in water, the particle loss was<2%. The extraction efficiency for dry lyophilised particulate matter was above 80%, allowing retrievement of ∼12 mg day⁻¹ in urban street air at PM₁₀ levels of ∼24 μg m⁻³. The ozone generating capacity of the corona discharge during operation was on the order of 10 ppb. A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) degradation test using benzo[a]pyrene as a model showed that ∼85% was degraded after 24 h. However, similar results were observed when the corona discharge was switched off. Hence, the ozone and other corona discharge reactants do not appear to contribute considerably to PAH-degradation. The overall results show that the sampler type is a promising alternative to traditional sampling of fine particles for bulk analysis and bioassays. The main advantages are simple operation, high stability, high quantifiable particle recovery rates and low cost.     

Recommendations on a Preferred Procedure for the Determination of Particulate in Gaseous Emissions

Studies were made over a 3 year period to evaluate the EPA Method 5 manual particulate sampling procedure in the forest products industry through laboratory and field studies. Results of the study showed that several modifications could be made to improve the performance and suitability of the method for routine source particulate measurements. Physical system changes included the use of a Teflon-lined umbilical cord to the collection system. Procedure changes included changing the isokinetic sampling rate variations to ±20% for emission sources where the particles were smaller than three micrometers in aerodynamic diameter, purging the impinger solutions with an inert gas immediately following collection, and separate evaporation of impinger organics and inorganics at 25 °C and 105°C, respectively. Calculation changes included inclusion of impinger-caught particulate and separate consideration of inorganic and organic particulates.     

Effect of Diffusiophoresis and Thermophoresis on the Overall Particle Collection Efficiency of Spray Droplet Scrubbers

The overall particle collection efficiencies of spray scrubbers using monodisperse droplets of 100,500, and 1000 microns diameter were calculated for the cases of evaporating and condensing droplets. The properties of the gas at the inlet to the spray scrubber were maintained constant at 150°F, 100% relative humidity, and 1 atmosphere pressure. At the liquid entrance to the spray scrubber, the water droplet temperature was 50° F for the condensing case and 180° F for the evaporating case. The liquid to gas flow rate ratio for all the calculations was held constant at 4 gal/1000 acf. The gas velocity in the co-current spray tower was 1 ft/sec in the downwind direction. The calculation results show that for the particles in the 0.01 to 10 Mm diameter range, the overall spray scrubber particle collection efficiency is greater with the cooler 50°F water (condensing case) than with the warmer 180°F water (evaporating case). The effect of diffusiophoresis and thermophoresis is noticeable for all the water droplet sizes considered, but is more significant for the larger water droplets. This greater effect for the larger water droplets compared to the smaller droplets is due to the longer existence of the temperature and water vapor concentration gradients between the water droplets and the surrounding gas.     

Development and Evaluation of an Impactor for a PM2.5 Speciation Sampler

ABSTRACT

A conventional impactor for a particle speciation sampler was developed and validated through laboratory and field tests. The speciation sampler consists of the following components: a PM_2.5 conventional impactor that removes particles larger than 2.5 μm, an all-glass, coated honeycomb diffusion denuder, and a 47-mm filter pack. The speciation sampler can operate at two different sampling rates: 10 and 16.7 L/min. An experimental characterization of the impactor’s performance was conducted. The impactor’s collection efficiency was examined as a function of critical design parameters such as Reynolds number, the distance from the nozzle exit to the impac-tion plate, and the impaction substrate coating method. The bounce of particles larger than the cut point was successfully minimized by using a greased surface as the im-paction substrate. Additionally, a series of field intercomparison experiments were conducted at both 10 and 16.7 L/min airflow. PM_2.5 mass and SO₄ ^2- concentrations were measured and compared with the Federal Reference Method (FRM) and found to be in good agreement. Results of the laboratory chamber tests also indicated that the impactor’s performance was in good agreement with the FRM.