振动孔单分散气溶胶浓度发生装置及其不确定度分析

介绍了振动孔气溶胶浓度发生装置、使用振动孔气溶胶浓度发生装置制备浓度已知的单分散气溶胶粒子的过程及其定值不确定度分析     

纳米粒子气溶胶分析系统的建立

纳米粒子气溶胶分析系统对粒径测量的量值可溯源到标准粒子,可进行单分散、多分散样品的测量以及电子分级筛选。该文介绍纳米粒子气溶胶分析系统的基本原理、测量方法和系统组成,总结了所进行的实验研究。并展望了良好的应用前景。     

尘埃粒子计数器宏粒子发生装置的研制

尘埃粒子计数器是用于检测评价洁净环境洁净度等级的仪器.目前,尘埃粒子计数器的溯源主要通过全国比对的方式对0.5μm的粒子浓度进行溯源,但制药、医疗器械等行业还普遍关注5.0μm粒径通道的计数准确性,然而5.0μm的粒径通道校准却存在气溶胶发生器浓度难控制、单分散性差的难题.本文针对这一技术难题,研制了一款针对尘埃粒子计...     

基于ELPI测量系统的撞击器分离特性曲线刻度

为对设计完成后的应用于气溶胶分级采样测量中的撞击器进行实验刻度,在分析原有单分散粒子刻度法的基础上,针对其存在的问题,建立基于电子低压碰撞器(ELPI)测量系统的混合源刻度方法;利用该方法对某撞击器的分离曲线进行刻度,并使用单分散粒子刻度法对其进行对照验证。结果表明,混合源刻度法的分离特性曲线拟合后判定系数R2为0.928 35,比单分散粒子刻度法的拟合曲线更好。     

河北地区秋季大气气溶胶物理特征分析

利用2005年10月20日在河北省石家庄和邯郸地区进行的一次飞机探测资料,初步分析了石家庄和邯郸上空的气溶胶粒子数浓度、粒径、粒子谱垂直分布特征,对石家庄与邯郸之间的水平飞行气溶胶粒子数浓度资料进行分析,并对石家庄、邯郸的气溶胶粒子谱进行函数拟合。结果表明:各高度层气溶胶粒子数浓度基本上都是石家庄高于邯郸,各高度层粒子平均直径基本上都是石家庄低于邯郸。两地气溶胶粒子数浓度、粒子平均直径随高度的分布有不同特点。石家庄、邯郸气溶胶粒子谱谱型,低层相似,基本都是单调下降,高层粒子谱谱型为多峰型。3100m高度层粒子数浓度在水平方向上分布不均匀,城市附近上空气溶胶粒子数浓度相对较大,郊县气溶胶粒子数浓度相对较小。随着高度增加,粒子数浓度减小,水平方向的绝对变化越来越小。利用幂函数N(D)=AD-B可以对不同高度气溶胶粒子谱进行较好的拟合。     

基于荧光法生物气溶胶监测仪计数效率评价及方法研究

生物气溶胶监测仪是一类快速、实时监测空气中生物气溶胶的新兴仪器。为系统评价生物气溶胶监测仪的计数效率,开展了荧光法生物气溶胶监测仪总粒子和荧光粒子2个通道的计数效率评价。首先设计搭建了1套生物气溶胶监测仪计数效率评价装置,然后通过表面原子转移自由基聚合反应(SI-ATRP)制备了单分散、荧光性质稳定的荧光聚苯乙烯微球。采用制备的荧光微球雾化法发尘,模拟生物气溶胶环境,开展计数效率的评价,总粒子数和荧光粒子数计数效率分别为98.9%和98.1%,评价结果表明搭建的装置能满足荧光法生物气溶胶监测仪计数效率的评价需求,对生物气溶胶检测具有意义。     

对光散射式粉尘测试仪的标定及其不确定度分析

依据JJG846-1993《光散射式数字粉尘测试仪检定规程》,采用KCl气溶胶对光散射式数字粉尘测试仪进行溯源性标定,对该检定规程加以拓展,用多分散气溶胶代替单分散气溶胶,并根据误差传播定律建立不确定度计算的数学模型,以及对测量结果的不确定度进行A类和B类评定,实验结果表明KCl气溶胶发尘稳定,适宜作为实验校准中的标定尘源。     

热水解法制备Fe2O3纳米粒子及其在Si表面的分散

用快速热水解的方法,制备直径小于10 nm的单分散Fe(OH)3胶体粒子。X射线衍射(XRD)和透射电镜(TEM)衍射分析表明:Fe(OH)3胶体粒子脱水后转变为Fe2O3纳米粒子。用离心分散的方法,胶体粒子在干燥过程中避免了团聚现象,实现其在Si表面的单层均匀分散覆盖。研究了胶体溶液浓度对胶体粒子尺寸及表面覆盖度的影响:改变胶体溶液的浓度,可以调节胶体粒子在Si表面的覆盖度,但对胶体粒子尺寸的影响不明显。     

生物气溶胶雾化器对大肠杆菌活性影响的评价

生物气溶胶的研究依赖于稳定可靠的雾化过程。从颗粒数量浓度、粒径大小分布、细菌可培养性和细胞膜破损等方面评价不同气溶胶发生器的性能, 并探讨进气流量的影响。结果表明在气溶胶发生过程中的机械应力严重损害细胞膜的完整性,使得细菌的可培养率降低90%以上,并且随着进气流量的增加,细胞碎片的比例增加,细胞膜损伤更为严重。由于生物气溶胶的研究不仅需要高浓度的微生物,更要保证细胞的完整性和可培养性,因此以上研究将对生物气溶胶发生器的性能评价和选择提供依据。     

石墨气溶胶粒度分布及远红外消光因子研究

在烟幕试验箱中测试了不同湿度条件下超细石墨气溶胶的粒子分布及其随时间变化的规律。根据Mie散射理论计算了石墨气溶胶粒子对8～14μm远红外的消光因子。分析表明,石墨气溶胶的粒度随着分散时间延长和空气相对湿度减小而变小。小尺度的石墨气溶胶粒子对8～14μm红外的消光效率因子非常小,但随着气溶胶粒子直径的增加,消光效率因子显著变大并趋于稳定。直径大于2.5μm的石墨气溶胶粒子均能够对8～14μm远红外产生良好的消光效果。     

Optimal design and performance evaluation of a metal fiber filter for capturing radioactive aerosols

ABSTRACT

Conventional high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters made of glass fiber media are prone to recycling problem and restrictions in extreme environmental condition such as high flow rate, high temperature, and fire. Therefore, metal fiber filters with minimal maintenance can replace conventional HEPA filters. The objective of the study is to evaluate the theoretical and experimental characteristics of a SUS316L metal fiber filter made from the fiber diameter of 8 µm. Theoretical modeling for predicting the collection efficiency of the radioactive aerosol is performed on the metal fiber as a function of particle size, filter thickness, and flow rate. Comparison between the experimental and theoretical results demonstrates that they are in good agreement. Consequently, the model is later utilized for performance optimization of the metal fiber filter. Also the metal filter for collecting the radioactive aerosol is optimized at the particle collection efficiency of 99.97% in most penetrating particle size (MPPS) of region 0.3 µm which complies with the standards established for conventional glass fiber HEPA filters.     

Effect of particle spatial distribution on particle deposition in ventilation rooms

We used simulations and experimental tests to investigate indoor particle deposition during four commonly used ventilation modes, including ceiling supply, side-up supply, side-down supply and bottom supply. We used a condensation monodisperse aerosol generator to generate fine diethylhexyl sebacate (DEHS) particles of different sizes along with two optical particle counters that measured particle concentration at the exhaust opening and inside a three-dimensional ventilated test room. We then simulated particle deposition using the same ventilation modes with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. Our simulated results indicate that mean deposition velocity/rate for particles 0.5–10 μm (aerodynamic diameter) is not affected by different ventilation modes. However, both our experimental and simulated results indicate that the deposition loss factor, a parameter defined based on mass balance principle to reflect the influence of particle distribution on deposited particle quantity, differ significantly by ventilation mode. This indicates that ventilation plays an important role in determining particle deposition due to the apparent differences in the spatial distribution of particles. The particle loss factor during ventilation modes characterized by upward air flow in the room is smaller than that of mixing ventilation; however this trend was strongly influenced by the relative location of the inlets, outlets and aerosol source.     

EFFECT OF LOADING WITH AIM OIL AEROSOL ON THE COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF AN ELECTRET FILTER

Loading of an electret filter changes the distribution of electrical field in the filter from its preloading condition, and, therefore, affects the filtration efficiency of the filter. Liquid droplets collected on electret filters cause degradation of the electrostatic enhancement of filtration efficiency because of charge neutralization and the formation of a dielectric coating over die charged fibers. In this study, calculations were made for the penetration of aerosol particles through a spun-type electret filter as a function of the particulate loading. An assumption was made that each charge collected neutralized one charge of opposite polarity on the fibers of the filter. It was also assumed that the electrostatic charges present on the particles followed the Boltzmann equilibrium charge distribution. The decrease in fiber charge and resulting increase in penetration were calculated as a function of time and of total particulate loading on the filter. The calculated penetrations were compared with experimental measurements of loading on a spun fiber electret filter challenged with monodisperse liquid droplets of bis-Ethylhexyl Sebacate with equilibrium charge distribution and with zero charge. The rate at which the penetration increased was found to be the same for particles with zero charge as for particles with equilibrium charge distribution. For 1 um diameter droplets with equilibrium charge the theory predicted complete discharge of the filter at a loading of around 200 g/m². Experimentally, only about 0.3 g/m² was required. This difference indicates the presence of additional mechanisms for the discharge of the fibers.     

LOCAL EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENTS APPLICABLE TO BOTH AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE AND CABIN FILTRATION

Presented herein are velocity and particle concentration profiles that were measured in planes just upstream and downstream of an engine air intake filter (AF3192) with a Laser Doppler Velocimeter. These detailed measurements allow the computation of local filter efficiency, with overall efficiency being an integral of the local efficiencies. Measurements were performed for nominal air flow rates ranging from 34 m³/hr to 268 m³/hr with monodisperse polystyrene latex spheres of 0.966, 5.3 and 10.2 micron diameters. Two test housings were employed in the research -- the SAE J726 housing (for engine tests) and a small angle diffuser housing that is similar to the SAE J1669 housing (for cabin filtration tests). The SAE housing generally had a higher filtration efficiency than the small angle diffuser housing, and the SAE housing overall efficiency's variation with air flow rate was flatter than that of the diffuser housing. As expected from Stokes number considerations, the large particles had higher filtration efficiencies than the small particles, and the overall filtration efficiencies of 30% to 80% were within the range predicted by theoretical models and gravimetric testing. Work will continue with more particle sizes, SAE dust, various contaminant loading (dirty filters), charged/charge neutralized systems, and housings more representative of actual installed [in the automobile] geometries.     

Transparent Nanofibrous Mesh Self‐Assembled from Molecular LEGOs for High Efficiency Air Filtration with New Functionalities

Alarming levels of particulate matter pollution in air pose a serious health threat in several countries, therefore intriguing a strong need for an economic and a viable technology of air filtration. Current air purification technology is rather expensive with certain types even having the risk of emitting hazardous by‐products. The authors have developed a multifunctional air filter inspired from the nasal hairs possessing an ability to specifically trap/exhale the foreign particles and allergens while still letting the air flow. This design is achieved by introducing different functionalities at different dimensional scale employing a bottom‐up approach starting with an organic molecule which is further self‐organized to form nanoparticles and ultimately to a nanofibrous mesh. While the molecular building block inherently possesses the property of shielding Ultraviolet (UV) rays, the nanofibrous mesh built up from it aids in trapping the particulate matter while maintaining good air flow. By controlling the concentration of the organic molecule, the formation of fibers has been enabled in the nanoscale regime to obtain high particle‐capture possibilities. The self‐assembled nanofibrous filter thus designed has achieved a high filtration efficiency of ≈90% for the PM 2.5 particle in congruence with the ability to block the harmful UV radiations.     

Continuous collection of soluble atmospheric particles with a wetted hydrophilic filter

Approximately one-third of the area (14-mm diameter of a 25-mm diameter) of a 5-microm uniform pore size polycarbonate filter is continuously wetted by a 0.25 mL/min water mist. The water forms a continuous thin film on the filter and percolates through it. The flowing water substantially reduces the effective pore size of the filter. At the operational air sampling flow rate of 1.5 standard liters per minute, such a particle collector (PC) efficiently captures particles down to very small size. As determined by fluorescein-tagged NaCl aerosol generated by a vibrating orifice aerosol generator, the capture efficiency was 97.7+% for particle aerodynamic diameters ranging from 0.28 to 3.88 microm. Further, 55.3 and 80.3% of 25- and 100-nm (NH4)2SO4 particles generated by size classification with a differential mobility analyzer were respectively collected by the device. The PC is integrally coupled with a liquid collection reservoir. The liquid effluent from the wetted filter collector, bearing the soluble components of the aerosol, can be continuously collected or periodically withdrawn. The latter strategy permits the use of a robust syringe pump for the purpose. Coupled with a PM2.5 cyclone inlet and a membrane-based parallel plate denuder at the front end and an ion chromatograph at the back end, the PC readily operated for at least 4-week periods without filter replacement or any other maintenance.     

Optimizing the primary particle size distributions of pressurized metered dose inhalers by using inkjet spray drying for targeting desired regions of the lungs

Conventional suspension pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) suffer not only from delivering small amounts of a drug to the lungs, but also the inhaled dose scatters all over the lung regions. This results in much less of the desired dose being delivered to regions of the lungs. This study aimed to improve the aerosol performance of suspension pMDIs by producing primary particles with narrow size distributions. Inkjet spray drying was used to produce respirable particles of salbutamol sulfate. The Next Generation Impactor (NGI) was used to determine the aerosol particle size distribution and fine particle fraction (FPF). Furthermore, oropharyngeal models were used with the NGI to compare the aerosol performances of a pMDI with monodisperse primary particles and a conventional pMDI. Monodisperse primary particles in pMDIs showed significantly narrower aerosol particle size distributions than pMDIs containing polydisperse primary particles. Monodisperse pMDIs showed aerosol deposition on a single stage of the NGI as high as 41.75?±?5.76%, while this was 29.37?±?6.79% for a polydisperse pMDI. Narrow size distribution was crucial to achieve a high FPF (49.31?±?8.16%) for primary particles greater than 2?µm. Only small polydisperse primary particles with sizes such as 0.65?±?0.28?µm achieved a high FPF with (68.94?±?6.22%) or without (53.95?±?4.59%) a spacer. Oropharyngeal models also indicated a narrower aerosol particle size distribution for a pMDI containing monodisperse primary particles compared to a conventional pMDI. It is concluded that, pMDIs formulated with monodisperse primary particles show higher FPFs that may target desired regions of the lungs more effectively than polydisperse pMDIs.     

EFFECT OF LOADING WITH AIM OIL AEROSOL ON THE COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF AN ELECTRET FILTER

ABSTRACT

Loading of an electret filter changes the distribution of electrical field in the filter from its preloading condition, and, therefore, affects the filtration efficiency of the filter. Liquid droplets collected on electret filters cause degradation of the electrostatic enhancement of filtration efficiency because of charge neutralization and the formation of a dielectric coating over die charged fibers. In this study, calculations were made for the penetration of aerosol particles through a spun-type electret filter as a function of the particulate loading. An assumption was made that each charge collected neutralized one charge of opposite polarity on the fibers of the filter. It was also assumed that the electrostatic charges present on the particles followed the Boltzmann equilibrium charge distribution. The decrease in fiber charge and resulting increase in penetration were calculated as a function of time and of total particulate loading on the filter. The calculated penetrations were compared with experimental measurements of loading on a spun fiber electret filter challenged with monodisperse liquid droplets of bis-Ethylhexyl Sebacate with equilibrium charge distribution and with zero charge. The rate at which the penetration increased was found to be the same for particles with zero charge as for particles with equilibrium charge distribution. For 1 um diameter droplets with equilibrium charge the theory predicted complete discharge of the filter at a loading of around 200 g/m². Experimentally, only about 0.3 g/m² was required. This difference indicates the presence of additional mechanisms for the discharge of the fibers.     

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF DUST FILTRATION IN SURFACE-TYPE NONWOVENS

Surface type nonwovens are widely used in industrial dust control. Recently, they have been utilized in some engine air filtration applications as automotive filters, heavy-duty engine self-cleaning filters or safety filters. Because of their mechanical strength and regenerative ability they are a perfect material for applications where filter replacement is a problem. On the other hand, the random distribution of fibers and needle punching may result in pinhole formation during dust loading, especially at high aerosol velocities. As a result, the seepage mechanism is common in applications involving fine solid aerosols.

In the inertia dominated region, the collection efficiency of particles depends on the adhesion probability. When particle momentum increases, the efficiency decreases. In general, there is no agreement between filtration theory and experiment when the Stokes number is greater than one.

Filter efficiency increases with dust loading when the filter medium is a good dust cake supporter. In this case, dust reentrainment, causing seepage, may occur at high aerosol velocities and pressure drops. In contrast, reentrainment in nonwovens can take place even at lower aerosol velocities and dust loadings. It is difficult to predict conditions favorable for dust reentrainment and pinhole formation. This process depends on media geometry, dust particle size distribution, and aerosol flow parameters.

This paper discusses filter performance of surface-type nonwovens exposed to polydisperse dusts. Filter efficiency and pressure drop are discussed as functions of aerosol velocity, dust loading, and dust particle size distribution.     

COMPARATIVE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND FILTER PENETRATION MEASUREMENTS OF DOP AND CORN OIL AEROSOLS

The use of corn oil as an alternative aerosol base in instruments for testing respirators and filters has been recommended by NIOSH as a safe substitute to Di-ethylhexyl phthal-ate (DOP) which is thought to be a potential biological co-carcinogen. Experimental measurements of the thermophysical properties related to aerosol size distribution and filter penetration have been conducted using photometry, inertial impactors, and laser spectrometry. Aerosols were generated using a pneumatic generator that combined the concepts of the Laskin nozzle and Wright nebulizer systems under various conditions of pressure, temperature and relative humidity and were evaluated for particle size distribution and filter penetration. Experiments demonstrated that heating corn oil from 20^°C to 40^°C has a minimal effect on size distribution and mass whereas DOP showed a greater sensitivity to temperature with respect to the same properties. These evaluations also demonstrated that corn oil produced a stable, smaller, and more consistent aerodynamic size distribution than DOP at the comparative experimental conditions. Comparable filter penetration characteristics obtained by experimental observations strongly show that corn oil aerosols are justified as an alternative aerosol for DOP. Enhanced performance coupled with safety considerations suggest that corn oil is an acceptable substitute for DOP especially in those applications of testing human subjects such as quantitative fit testing.