THE STEAM-JET AEROSOL COLLECTOR
Abstract
A new principle of sampling aerosol particles by means of steam injection with the
consequent collection of grown droplets has been established. An air stream free of
water-soluble gases is rapidly mixed with steam. The resulting supersaturation causes
aerosol particles to grow into droplets. The droplets containing dissolved aerosol
species are then collected by two cyclones in series. The solution collected in the
cyclones is constantly pumped out and can be on- or off-line analysed by means of
ion chromatography or flow injection analysis. On the basis of the new sampling principle
a prototype of an aerosol sampler was designed which is capable of sampling particles
quantitatively down to several nanometres in diameter. The mass sampling efficiency
of the instrument was found to be 99\%. The detection limit of the sampler for ammonium,
sulphate, nitrate and chloride ions is below 0.7 mu g m(-3). By reduction of an already
identified source of contamination, much lower detection limits can be achieved. During
measurements the sampler proved to be stable, working without any assistance for extended
periods of time. Comparison of the sampler with filter packs during measurements of
ambient air aerosols showed that the sampler gives good results.
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