Generation of Nanoparticles of Lubricating Motor Oil for Inhalation Studies

Recent studies suggest that most 20–30 nm nanoparticles measured at roadsides are composed mainly of organic carbon derived from lubricating motor oil. Therefore, a simple particle generation system has been developed for controlled production of 20–30 nm nanoparticles of lubricating motor oil for inhalation toxicology studies by means of vapor condensation without addition of nuclei. Quasi-monodisperse particles with a modal diameter located at 20 nm and total number concentrations above 10 ⁶ cm ^?3 were generated. Ten 2-h particle generation reproducibility tests were conducted, in which stability and repeatability of particle size and total number concentration were good. Organic carbon is a major component of oil particles, and organic analysis showed that the compositions of oil particles were not subjected to distillation of organic compounds through evaporation to condensation. Using the nose-exposure system connected to the particle generation system, toxicity of 20-nm particle organic compounds of lubricating motor oil can be assessed by inhalation studies of experimental animals.     

Monodisperse fine aerosol generation using fluidized bed

Monodisperse, fine aerosols are needed in many applications: filter testing, experiments for testing models, and aerosol instrument calibration, among others. Usually, monodisperse fine aerosols are generated in very low concentrations, or mass flow rates, in the laboratory scale. In this work, we needed to generate aerosols with higher mass flow rate than typically available by the laboratory-scale methods, such as atomizers, nebulizers, ultrasonic generators, vibrating orifice generators, and condensation generators. Therefore, we constructed a fluidized bed aerosol generator to achieve particle mass flow rates in the range of 15-100 g/h. Monodisperse, spherical SiO₂ particles of two sizes with geometrical diameters of 1.0 and 2.6 µm were used in the aerosol generator. The aerosol generator was used at both atmospheric pressure, and at high pressures up to 5 bar (abs).The particle size, mass concentration and the net average particle charge were measured after mixing the aerosol with nitrogen. The particle size distributions with both particle sizes were monodisperse, and no particle agglomerates were entrained from the fluidized bed. The behavior of the fluidized bed generator was found to be markedly different with the two particle sizes in regard to particle concentration, presumably due to different particle charging inside the generator. After determining the net average charge of the particles, an ion source Kr-85 was used to reduce the charge of the particles. This was found to be effective in neutralizing the particles.     

A Variable Supersaturation Condensation Particle Sizer

A prototype variable supersaturation condensation particle sizer (VSCoPS) capable of measuring particle size distributions from 5 to 30 nm has been developed. This system design is adapted from existing condensation particle counter (CPC) technology with three significant differences: (1) the working fluid is a perfluorinated organic compound that is nonreactive toward, and not an effective solvent for, most laboratory or ambient particle compositions; (2) the vapor pressure of the working fluid is controlled by dilution of saturated air with vapor-free air at the same temperature; and (3) the optical block and condenser are located below the saturator, so that fluid condensed on the condenser walls does not flow back toward the saturator. By using fast-response flow controllers to vary the ratio of saturator and dilution air while keeping total flows and temperatures constant, the vapor saturation ratio in the condenser can be controlled with time constants of ～ 1 s. The nucleation threshold diameter is changed by stepping through small increments in saturation ratio. The particle size distribution can be recovered by inverting the measured concentration using the known instrument response for each saturation ratio. Further development of the system may allow size distribution measurements to smaller particle diameters and scan times of < 30 s at total particle concentrations as low as ～ 100 cm^{? 3} .     

A Unique Online Method to Infer Water-Insoluble Particle Contributions

Particle number, size, and composition information is important for constraining aerosol effects on air quality, climate, and health. The composition of particles, especially from vehicular sources, may contain insoluble black carbon (BC) materials that modify particle nucleating properties. In this study, we develop a method to provide quantitative and real-time information on the water-insoluble components found in near-road aerosol sources. A water-based condensation particle counter (W-CPC) and a butanol-based CPC (B-CPC) were used to measure the particle number concentration. Both instruments were coupled with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) to record the particle number and size data. Real time water-insoluble particle mass was estimated from the difference in particle number concentration between the two CPCs; theoretical water-insoluble mass was calculated from the ideal hygro- scopicity single parameter κ-values. This online method was calibrated with test compounds and then applied to data collected from a field study. Ambient aerosol was sampled from a monitoring station located 15 m from the I-710 freeway in Long Beach, California. The results show that near-roadway emissions contain water-insoluble (BC and non-BC) components. Particle number and BC concentrations increase after changes in wind direction near the freeway on both weekday and weekend measurements. Particles were less hygroscopic (κ?～?0.2) before changes in wind direction from downwind to upwind of the freeway (κ?>?0.6). Rapid changes in water-solubility can be captured with this technique. By assuming a two-component mixture, the water-insoluble mass fractions were inferred. BC shows a positive correlation with the water-insoluble mass however its presence may not account for the entire water-insoluble mass from the near-roadway source.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Generation and Quantification of Ultrafine Particles through Terpene/Ozone Reaction in a Chamber Setting

Terpene/ozone reactions produce gas- and condensed-phase products and thus contribute to both indoor and outdoor aerosol. These reactions may be important in indoor settings, where terpenes are generated from indoor sources and ambient ozone can reach significant levels. Moreover, airway irritation has been observed in mice exposed to terpene oxidation products (OPs). The aim of this study was to characterize a system for generating and quantifying ultrafine particles formed through terpene/ozone reactions in preparation for inhalation toxicology experiments. Two common monoterpenes, f -pinene and d -limonene, and a hemiterpene, isoprene, were investigated. Ozone and gas-phase terpene were introduced continuously into a reaction flow tube, from which reaction products entered a plexiglass chamber. Particle number, mass, and size distribution (～15-750 nm) were monitored in the chamber for various reactant concentrations and air exchange rates (AERs). In all experiments, ozone was the limiting reagent and the reaction rate was much more rapid than the AER. Particles formed rapidly and in high concentrations in the pinene and limonene systems. Particle formation was slower in the isoprene system and fewer particles were formed; moreover, particle diameters were smaller. In all 3 systems, progressive growth of particles was observed due to condensation and coagulation processes. The isoprene system displayed instability with respect to aerosol characteristics and did not reach steady-state conditions. In the pinene system, ozone concentration was a strong predictor of steady-state particle number and mass concentration and particle diameter. The particle number was greater at higher AERs, but particles were smaller. This study is the first to incorporate measurement of ultrafine particles formed from terpene/ozone reactions into a controlled exposure chamber setting. Following system characterization, we will conduct mouse exposures to further investigate the respiratory effects of gas- and particle-phase terpene OPs.     

Approaches to increasing yield in evaporation/condensation nanoparticle generation

With the recent interest in the chemical, electronic and optical properties of nanometer scale metal particles, there is now interest in manufacturing these materials in larger quantities. Since both small particle size and high particle number concentrations are sought, there is a need for improved particle generation reactors that can realize both goals. Here, results are presented for the synthesis of indium metal nanoparticles in an evaporation/condensation aerosol generator. Size distributions were measured for metal nanoparticles formed using a standard flow configuration, as well as using several variations on the standard configuration. The aim of the modifications is to increase the cooling rate and thus, to increase the nucleation rate of the nanoparticles. An increase in the number concentration of particles and, in some cases, a significant decrease in average particle size was observed when the modified reactor configurations were used. These results can be explained by the changes in the time–temperature history of the nanoparticles resulting from the modifications to the aerosol generator. A monodisperse model of nanoparticle formation and growth, accounting for nucleation, condensation and coagulation, was used to describe particle formation in the standard flow configuration, to guide the modifications, and to describe particle formation in one of the modified configurations, with qualitative agreement seen between measured and predicted particle sizes.     

Design and Characterization of a Fluidized Bed Aerosol Generator: A Source for Dry,Submicrometer Aerosol

A fluidized bed aerosol generator has been designed and built for the purpose of generating a constant output of dry, submicrometer particles with a large number density. The output of the fluidized bed for generating aerosol particles from dry soot powder has been characterized using a differential mobility analyzer and a condensation particle counter. The particle size distribution is bimodal, with a mode in the submicrometer diameter size range and a mode in the supermicrometer diameter size range. The larger diameter mode is fully separated from the smaller mode and can thus be easily removed from the aerosol flow using impaction techniques. The distribution in the submicrometer size range is nearly log-normal, with a count median diameter falling between 0.1 and 0.3 micrometers. A number density of greater than 10⁵ particles cm^-3 of soot particles in the submicrometer range can be produced, constant to within 25% (1 standard deviation) over a 4 h time period. The number density of particles produced in the submicrometer range was found to vary with the ratio of soot to bronze beads in the bed mixture, whether or not a feed system was used, and nitrogen flow rate through the fluidized bed and feed system.     

Particle Charge Distribution Measurement for Commonly Generated Laboratory Aerosols

ABSTRACT

An improved particle charge analyzer system has been developed to measure the absolute charge distribution of common generated laboratory aerosols. The charge analyzer system consists of an integral cylindrical mobility analyzer used in conjunction with an optical aerosol spectrometer, with computer assisted operation and data reduction. The charge analyzer collects aerosol particles over an absolute electrical mobility range from 4.2*10^?4 to 400 cm²/(stat · Volt second) and flow rates that can vary from 0.3 to 30 liters per minute. The charge analyzer has been used to investigate the nature of spray and contact electrification during aerosol generation by measuring the residual charge distribution on the liquid and solid generated particles. In addition, the neutralization of charged particles by bipolar ions also was studied using conventional neutralizers that use ionizing radiation from alpha and beta sources. Charge distribution measurements were performed on alumina dust (Al), Arizona road dust (ARD), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl) and di-octyl sebacate (DOS) liquid particles. Aerosol generation devices include a Collison atomizer, a condensation aerosol generator and a fluidized bed dust generator. Our work provides experimental charge distribution data for comparison with simple models of electrification theory. Experimental results showed that charge levels of atomized KCl and NaCl particles were high and decreased as the dissolved ion concentration increased. DOS particles generated by evaporation-condensation were both neutral and moderately charged. These conclusions support the existence of a dipole layer at the liquid-gas interface that interacts with dissolved particles and changes their charge state. Alumina and ARD generated by the fluidized bed disperser are highly charged due to strong contact electrification during dispersion. In most cases, the charge on generated aerosols could be reduced to Boltzmann charge equilibrium conditions by commonly used radioactive neutralizers.     

Dust Generator for Inhalation Studies with Limited Amounts of Archived Particulate Matter

A novel design for a dry-aerosol generator that efficiently produces a well-dispersed dust suspension using small quantities of a PM_2.5-enriched powder sample is described. The motivation to develop a highly efficient dry-aerosol particle generator was to facilitate collaborative projects that combine in vitro cell culture experiments and multiday inhalation exposures using a single batch of well-characterized particles. Premixing of the test particles with larger diameter glass beads permits delivery of aerosol concentrations from 100–1000 μ g/m³ to an exposure chamber using only milligram quantities of the test powder per hour. Examination of exposure chamber filter samples by scanning electron microscopy showed well-dispersed particles of the test powder free of glass spheres or fragments. Data are presented from experiments using coal fly ash as the test powder to illustrate the system performance.     

Characterization of Radioactive Aerosols in Florida Phosphate Processing Facilities

The health risks to workers in the Florida phosphate industry resulting from chronic inhalation of radionuclide-containing aerosols have not been adequately addressed. The present study establishes a database of information on the particle size distribution, density, shape, chemical composition, and radioactivity concentration for six phosphate facilities in the northern and central regions of the state. A seven-stage cascade impactor was employed to sample aerosols at various processing areas in these plants. Aerosol mass loadings are lowest mainly at shipping areas where they are approximately one order of magnitude less than at granulator areas within equivalent particle size intervals. Aerosol mass concentrations increase as the aerosol size increases for the majority of the plants and operational areas. The aerosol loading at each area varies widely depending on plant, and the variance is largest at the storage areas due to the variability of mechanical operations and patterns of building ventilation. The density of bulk dry product, settled dust, and airborne particles are between 1.6 to 1.7 g/cm ³ . Under electron microscopy, the particles appear as spheroids or rough spherical fragments across all plants, work areas, and sampled size intervals. The main elemental components of large-sized and medium-sized aerosols are similar to those found in the bulk dry product. For small-sized aerosols (0.2–0.4 μ m), the fraction of phosphorus is very small in comparison to elemental impurities such as silicon and sulfur. The ²³⁸ U decay series was found in both bulk dry product, settled dust, and airborne particles collected via high-volume samplers. The ²³⁸ U, ²²⁶ Ra, and ²¹⁰ Pb radioactivity concentrations in bulk dry product and settled dust from central Florida range from 63–112 pCi/g, 0.8–1.5 pCi/g, and 7–9 pCi/g, respectively. No significant differences in the radioactivity concentrations of ²³⁸ U and ²²⁶ Ra were found between dry product, settled dust, and sampled aerosols. However, ²¹⁰ Pb is highly concentrated in aerosols up to 25–87 pCi/g, most likely due to the deposition of ambient airborne radon decay products on workplace aerosols. The database of worker aerosol physicochemical characteristics established in this study for the Florida phosphate industry can be directly used for more realistic assessments of worker inhalation dose, thus providing a more firm basis for assessing the adequacy of existing respiratory and other radiological protection policies.     

Prototype e-cigarette and the capillary aerosol generator (CAG) comparison and qualification for use in subchronic inhalation exposure testing

Our objective was to evaluate the suitability of using a capillary aerosol generator (CAG) instead of using e-cigarette devices in 90-day or longer inhalation studies. Aerosol characteristics for both the CAG (which uses heat to produce a condensation aerosol) and e-cigarette generators have been previously reported, but a side-by-side comparison with the identical formulation has not been reported. Aerosols from both devices were analyzed immediately after generation for chemicals in the formulation (propylene glycol [PG], glycerin, water, and nicotine), selected carbonyls (acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde) by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (UPLC-UV), and a chemical fingerprint analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Aerosol capture methods for chemical analysis included Cambridge filter pads or two impingers in series each containing solution to trap and stabilize selected carbonyl compounds. Particle size distribution (cascade impactor) and exposure port uniformity (gravimetric) was measured in four rodent inhalation exposure chambers under inhalation study conditions. The aerosol of both generators contained the same known and unknown chemicals. Similar levels of compounds in the formula except for PG were detected in the aerosol of both generators. CAG produced more consistent particulate aerosol than e-cigarette generator and had lower levels of carbonyls primarily due to lower levels of formaldehyde. Exposure port concentrations were consistent and closer to target values with the CAG compared to the e-cigarette aerosol generator. CAG was easier to operate on a daily basis although more difficult to maintain because it required daily cleaning compared to single-use e-cigarettes. CAG was determined to be suitable for use in 90-day or longer inhalation studies.

Copyright © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Lead and/or Lead Oxide Nanoparticle Generation for Inhalation Experiments

A method of the continual generation of lead or lead oxide nanoparticles for potential subsequent inhalation experiments with laboratory animals was investigated. We examined the thermal decomposition and oxidation of lead bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) in an externally heated tube reactor as well as the evaporation and condensation of metallic lead. The particle production dependence on experimental conditions was investigated using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and the particle characteristics were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), elemental and organic carbon analysis (EC/OC), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The evaporation/condensation was evaluated as being the most suitable for inhalation experiments due to its simplicity, high production rate, and the well-defined composition of the nanoparticles.

Copyright 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research     

An Ion Generator for Neutralizing Concentrated Aerosols

An ion generator was developed to neutralize concentrated streams of large, highly charged particles in a low-velocity wind tunnel. The aerosol stream tested consisted of 30 mu m aluminum oxide particles (aerodynamic diameter 52 mu m) at a flow rate of 9.6 m³/h (160 L min) and a mass concentration of 43 g/m³. The average number of excess charges per particle was 240,000 (positive), which corresponds to a neutralizing current requirement of 0.11 mu A. Neutralization to < +/- 10,000 charges per particle was necessary to prevent electrostatic sampling artifacts. Neutralization with radioactive sources would have required an impractically large source. The ion generator, constructed from 21 and 32 mm PVC pipe, has 4 peripheral radial electrodes of 0.5 mm tungsten wire and a 2.0 mm diameter central electrode. The aerosol flowed through the ion generator along its axis. The ion generator was powered by an adjustable (0-8.5 kV) power supply. Performance of the ion generator was monitored with an isokinetic Faraday-cup sampler connected to a Keithley Model 6512 electrometer capable of 0.1 fA resolution. The sampler used a stainless steel 47 mm filter holder as the Faraday cup. The cup was insulated with Teflon inside a 90 mm diameter stainless steel enclosure with a 21 mm diameter inlet. This setup gave near real-time measure ment of the charge state of the aerosol in the wind tunnel. By adjusting the ion generator power supply, particle charge could be reduced to < 2% of its original charge. Ion generator output was sufficiently stable to maintain the particle charge within +/- 2% of the original charge over a 1 h period. These reduced charge levels are comparable to charge levels found on workplace aerosols.     

Methods of Aerosol Measurement before the 1960s

ABSTRACT

The time period before the 1960s can be described as the classical age of aerosol science and aerosol measurement. The measurement philosophy during this period was different from that of the period after the 1960s. Particle number concentration was considered the most important parameter. Optical microscopy was the determinative procedure for sample evaluation, for particle counting, and for size measurement. The most frequently used sampling methods were impaction and impingement, thermal and electrostatic precipitation, and filtration. Condensation samplers, as well as manual condensation nuclei counters, were used also. Manual and simple light scattering and light absorption methods played an already important role. Ultramicroscopy and nephelometry were commonly used methods. Elutriators and aerosol centrifuges were used for determining aerodynamic particle sizes, particle shape factors, and mass size distributions. Chemical aerosol analysis was in a developing state. Silica, silicates, and heavy metals were the most often detected dust and aerosol components. Titration, colorimetry, photometry, and polarography were the most commonly used analytical procedures. Practically no automatic or computer-supported measurement or analytical equipment was available at this time. Sampling instruments often were made in the laboratory, rather than produced commercially.     

Real-Time Characterization of the Composition of Individual Particles Emitted From Ultrafine Particle Concentrators

Particle concentrators are commonly used for controlling exposure levels to ambient ultrafine, fine, and coarse aerosols over a broad range of concentrations. For ultrafine aerosols, these concentrators require water condensation technology to grow and enrich these smaller sized particles (D _a < 100 nm). Because the chemistry of the particles is directly related to their toxicity, any changes induced by ultrafine concentrators on ambient particles need to be better characterized in order to fully understand the results obtained in health exposure studies. Using aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS), the size-resolved chemistry was measured of concentrated ultrafine and accumulation mode (50–300 nm) particles from several particle concentrators with different designs. This is the first report detailing the size-resolved distributions of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) particles sampled from concentrators. Experimental measurements of the single particle mixing state of particles in concentrated versus non-concentrated ambient air show transformations of ultrafine EC particles occur as they become coated with organic carbon (OC) species during the concentration process. Based on relative ion intensities, concentrated ultrafine particles showed a 30% increase in the amount of OC on the EC particles for the same aerodynamic size. An increase in the number fraction of aromatic- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-containing particles was also observed in both the ultrafine and fine size modes. The most likely explanation for such changes is gas-to-particle partitioning of organic components (e.g., water-soluble organic compounds) from the high volume of air used in the concentrator into aqueous phase ultrafine and fine aqueous particles created during the particle enrichment process.     

Development and Evaluation of a Nanoparticle Generator for Human Inhalation Studies with Airborne Zinc Oxide

In the EU there is an increasing need for regulatory agencies to derive health based threshold limits based on human inhalation studies with airborne particles. A necessary prerequisite for such projects is the development of a suitable generator system to produce nanoparticle test aerosols for human whole-body inhalation studies. We decided to use a generator with flame-based heating of aqueous precursor solutions. Validation of the test system was done by generating zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with minimal contamination of trace gases, i.e., nitric oxides or carbon monoxide that could confound the effects seen in exposed subjects. ZnO was selected based on the uncertainties surrounding its health effects after exposure at the workplace. The generation process of the developed flame generator yields ZnO nanoparticles with monomodal size distribution and very good temporal stability. The maximum target exposure mass concentration of 2 mg/m³ ZnO, with a resulting median particle diameter of 57 nm, is attainable in our human exposure laboratory. The morphological examination shows typical agglomerates and aggregates formed by high temperature processes. Overall, the performed experiments confirm that a constant exposure can be provided for all subjects at all times.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

AEROSOL DYNAMICS

ABSTRACT

Photodetector pulse heights from an ultrafine condensation nucleus counter increase monotonically with particle size in the ～ 2.7–15 nm diameter range. This relationship can be used to measure concentrations and size distributions of ultrafine aerosols. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of size-dependent pulse heights to total particle concentration, absolute pressure (0.25–1 atmosphere), and particle composition (H₂SO₄, (NH₄)2SO₄, NaCl, and tungsten oxide). We found that pulse heights shifted significantly with pressure and slightly with concentration. Coincidence led to errors for concentrations exceeding 4 × 10³ cm^?3. Over the range of conditions investigated, however, the observed shifts in the pulse height voltage were independent of size. The pulse height method is particularly applicable to situations involving low ultrafine particle concentrations, such as are encountered in the remote troposphere.     

Design and characterization of a fungal bioaerosol generator using multi-orifice air jets and a rotating substrate

Fungal bioaerosols, which are major constituents of ambient airborne microorganisms, are well known for their adverse health effects. However, thus far, the effective control of fungal bioaerosols has rarely been studied. A major reason for this is a lack of stable and reliable methods of generating fungal bioaerosols that can simulate real environmental dispersal. As a first step towards developing an efficient means of controlling fungal bioaerosols, we designed and evaluated a new fungal bioaerosol generator. The multi-orifice air jets and the rotating substrate inside the generator were used to uniformly scan a fungal culture Petri plate and to maintain uniformity of the production rate of fungal bioaerosols.We conducted the experimental tests on Aspergillus versicolor and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The particle size distribution and the total particle number concentration of generated fungal bioaerosols were measured using a particle size distribution analyzer and a condensation particle counter. The effects of the air flow rate and the rotating speed of the substrate on the generation of fungal bioaerosols were investigated. The results demonstrate that the fungal bioaerosol generator can produce mono-dispersed fungal bioaerosols under various experimental conditions and that it is possible to control the rates of production of fungal bioaerosols by adjusting the flow rate through the fungal generator and the rotating speed of the substrate.     

A High Volume Apparatus for the Condensational Growth of Ultrafine Particles for Inhalation Toxicological Studies

A high volume (2500 LPM) system for the condensational growth of ultrafine particles was developed and evaluated using indoor air as a test aerosol. The main features of this system are the following: (a) ultrafine particles grow condensationally to supermicron sizes using high purity deionized water as a condensing medium; (b) the supersaturation ratio is adjustable and can be precisely controlled; (c) the system can operate for a wide range of ambient air temperature and relative humidity conditions; and (d) a thermal dryer is used to return the condensationally grown particles back to their original size. Restoring the original ambient size distribution and preserving the composition of the ambient ultrafine particles is very important for inhalation studies. The system is fully automated and has computerized feedback controls. In addition, saturation of the aerosol with water vapor occurs at close to ambient temperatures to minimize particle losses of volatile components. Saturation of sample air is obtained using a direct steam-injecting, fully modulating electric humidifier. The sample air after saturation is drawn through the supersaturator, which is a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger and is cooled down to obtain the desirable supersaturation ratio. Supersaturation ratios can be precisely adjusted, with the optimum operational level found to be in the range of 2 to 3. The performance of the system was evaluated as a function of critical operation parameters, including the supersaturation ratio as well as the saturation and supersaturation temperatures. A series of virtual and conventional impactors was used to characterize the condensational growth of ultrafine particles. This new high volume apparatus was shown to grow ambient ultrafine particles to supermicron sizes with a particle size growth of approximately 1.8 w m. Particle losses in the system were found to be minimal (about 10%). The thermal dryer was used successfully to restore the grown particles back to their original size distribution. Particle concentration, aerosol temperature, and residence time (aerosol flow) are key parameters shown to affect the performance of the thermal dryer was used successfully to restore the grown particles back to their original size distribution. Particle concentration, aerosol temperature, and residence time (aerosol flow) are key parameters shown to affect the performance of the thermal dryer.     

Investigation of a Novel Condensation Aerosol Generator: Solute and Solvent Effects

Part I of this article presents results of an experimental study on gas-phase nucleation for three model solutes and their solvent, propylene glycol (PG), with variables being solute concentration and the nature of the solute substance. A single manifestation of an aerosol generator, which forms condensation aerosols by cooling of hot vapor issuing from an electrically heated, pumped capillary, is described and used for all experiments. The effects of solute concentration and solute type were studied for deoxycorticosterone (DOC), benzil (BZ), and phenyl salicylate (PhS). Suppression of homogeneous nucleation and occurrence of heterogeneous condensation of the solvent was observed at different solute concentrations for BZ, PhS, and DOC. The nature and concentration of the solute dissolved in the solvent was shown to determine the final particle size distribution of the condensed aerosol. In the case of the least volatile solute, DOC, solute aerosol and total aerosol size distributions were identical at low solute concentrations. A transitional concentration region then existed in which a bimodal solute aerosol was formed, followed at high concentrations by increasing separation of the solvent-dominated aerosol size distribution and that of the solute. In Part II of this article, the effect of DOC dissolution in different solvents was studied at fixed solute concentration. The effects of six glycol solvents--i.e., PG, ethylene glycol (EG), dipropylene glycol (DPG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), and tetraethylene glycol (TetEG)--and three nonglycol solvents--i.e., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), formamide (FORM), and oleyl alcohol (OA)--were studied, as these affected the resultant aerosol sizes. Suppression of total aerosol mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was observed on dissolution of 0.5% w/w DOC in each solvent, although suppression occurred to different extents. It was shown that the boiling point or volatility of the solvent used to dissolve the less volatile DOC had an effect on the final particle size distribution of the condensed aerosol and whether the aerodynamic size distributions for the solute and the total aerosol were the same or different.