A Study of Density Effect and Droplet Deformation in the TSI Aerodynamic Particle Sizer

Effects of particle density and droplet deformation on the performance of a TSI aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) were studied using polystyrene latex (PSL), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), ammonium fluorescein (AF), fused aluminosilicate (FAP), and fused cerium oxide (FCO) monodisperse aerosols. Results indicated that, because of the sensitivity of the instrument, periodic cleaning of the APS inner nozzle is needed to maintain the consistency of its calibration curve. Density effects were experimentally confirmed with PSL, AF, FAP, and FCO aerosols of particle densities ranging from 1.05 to 4.33 g/cm³. Results, however, showed that this effect can only be experimentally detected for particles of density greater than 2 g/cm³ and aerodynamic diameter greater than 5 (μm. Effects of droplet deformation were studied with DOP.