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Development of portable aerosol mobility spectrometer for personal and mobile aerosol measurement
PAMS
Portable Aerosol Mobility Spectrometer
Provide accurate and reliable aerosol measurements
Using electrical mobility classification to measure the size distribution and concentration of aerosol particles
The Portable Aerosol Mobility Spectrometer (PAMS) is an advanced electrical mobility size spectrometer designed for portable, mobile, or handheld aerosol sampling applications. It delivers precise number-weighted diameter distributions of aerosols across the submicrometer range (10 to 863 nm) in a single scan.
Key Features:
- Non-Radioactive Bipolar Aerosol Charger: Facilitates access to sampling sites with stringent safety regulations.
- Dual Measurement Modes:
- Single Diameter Count Mode: Provides total particle count within a narrow size range.
- Size Distribution Mode: Delivers automated size distribution measurements over a specified size range or resolution.
- Stand-Alone Operation: Battery-powered and does not require an external computer.
- Compact and Lightweight: Weighs only 4.5 kg and has dimensions of 23 x 23 x 15 cm, enhancing portability.
Applications:
- Personal nanoparticle/aerosol exposure measurement
- Workplace protection factor assessment of respirators
- Atmospheric process studies
- Air pollution and air quality monitoring
- Combustion and engine exhaust emission analysis
- Filtration efficiency studies
- Inhalation toxicology research
- Indoor air quality assessments
Portable, compact, lightweight (4.5 kg)
Battery Powered
Non-Radioactive: Safe and accessible for use in regulated environments
Standalone: No external computer required - ideal for fieldwork
PAMS How it works:
Step by step process of how the Portable Aerosol Mobility Spectrometer works.
How it works
1. Aerosol Sample Inlet
Ambient air or a targeted aerosol source is drawn into the device through the inlet, where particles are directed into the measurement system. The flow rate is carefully controlled to maintain accuracy.
2. Bipolar Charger (Non-Radioactive)
Before classification, particles pass through a non-radioactive bipolar charger. This step gives particles a predictable charge distribution using a corona discharge, eliminating the need for radioactive sources and simplifying compliance with safety regulations.
3. Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA)
Charged particles enter a Differential Mobility Analyzer, where they are classified by electrical mobility—a function of particle size and charge. An electric field is applied inside the DMA, and only particles with a specific electrical mobility (and thus a certain size) will follow the path to the detector.
- The PAMS can scan through a wide range of particle sizes (typically 10 – 863 nm) in one continuous sweep.
4. Condensation Particle Counter (CPC)
The size-classified particles are counted using an internal Condensation Particle Counter.
- The CPC enlarges nanoparticles by condensing a working fluid (like butanol) onto them, making them optically detectable.
- These grown particles are then counted individually using laser light scattering.
5. Data Acquisition and Processing
PAMS combines the electrical mobility classification and CPC counts to construct a size distribution histogram—essentially a profile of how many particles fall into each size bin.
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It can operate in two modes:
- Single Diameter Count Mode: Counts particles in a narrow size band.
- Size Distribution Mode: Automatically scans through a range of sizes.
Advantages of the PAMS
- Electrical mobility size spectrometer designed for portable, mobile, or handheld aerosol sampling applications
- Provides number-weighted diameter distribution of aerosols over the entire submicrometer range (10 to 863nm) in one scan
- Uses a non-radioactive bipolar aerosol charger to allow easy access to sampling sites with tight safety regulations
- Bipolar charger significantly reduces measurement uncertainty of larger particles in the submicrometer range
- Can be used in two modes: Single diameter count mode: to get a total count within a narrow size range or Size distribution mode: to get an automated size distribution measurement over desired size range or size resolution
- Stand-alone, battery-operated instrument; no external computer needed.
- Weighs only 4.5 kg and measures 23 x 23 x 15 cm.
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