Skip to main content
Article
Use of an Alternating Gradient Cloud Chamber to Measure the Performance of a Condensation Nucleus Counter
Proceedings - Annual Technical Meeting - Institute of Environmental Sciences
  • Donald E. Hagen, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Chen Kwee Lutrus
  • Max B. Trueblood, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Philip D. Whitefield, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Darryl J. Alofs, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • L. R. Dominguez-Sommer
  • J. R. C. Futrell
Abstract

An aerosol sampling project for the Air Force (Whitefield et al 1993), generated the need to make particle concentration measurements in the size range ≤10 nm, and a Met One CNC (Model 1100-5) was used for these measurements. The Met One small size performance and efficiency vs. particle concentration were calibrated against an ALGR/OPC facility (ALternating GRadient continuous flow thermal diffusion cloud chamber (CFD) and Optical Particle Counter), using a laboratory generated NaCl aerosol for which the critical supersaturation spectrum is both well known and low. The advantage of the ALGR is that it and the Model 1100-5 can operate under similar aerosol concentration conditions. These studies show that the Met One CNC begins to drop below 100% counting efficiency at aerosol diameters ≤10 nm, and reaches 75% efficiency at 7 nm. Complementary electrometer measurements were made for comparison.

Meeting Name
39th Annual Technical Meeting of Institute of Environmental Sciences (1993: May 2-7, Las Vegas, NV)
Department(s)
Physics
Second Department
Chemistry
Third Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
  • Aerosols,
  • Calibration,
  • Cloud chambers,
  • Condensation,
  • Detectors,
  • Particle size analysis,
  • Particles (particulate matter),
  • Performance,
  • Sampling,
  • Thermal diffusion,
  • Alternating gradient continuous flow thermal diffusion cloud chamber,
  • Condensation nuclei counter,
  • Optical particle counters,
  • Optical instruments
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
1877862193
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 1993 Institute of Environmental Sciences, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
1-1-1993
Publication Date
01 Jan 1993
Citation Information
Donald E. Hagen, Chen Kwee Lutrus, Max B. Trueblood, Philip D. Whitefield, et al.. "Use of an Alternating Gradient Cloud Chamber to Measure the Performance of a Condensation Nucleus Counter" Proceedings - Annual Technical Meeting - Institute of Environmental Sciences Vol. 1 (1993) p. 319 - 335 ISSN: 0073-9227
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/darryl-alofs/2/