Particle Number Concentration

Condensation particle counter (CPC), also called

thecondensation nucleus counter(CNC), is the most
common instrument used to determine number
concentrations of diesel particulates

As shown in Figure 1, upon

entering the CPC the
aerosol stream is saturated
with alcohol (typically
butanol) vapor. As the
mixture is cooled in the
condenser tube, the vapor
becomes supersaturated
and condenses on particles.

 As a result, the particles grow to a diameter of about 10

m, allowing for optical detection
CPCs can be
operated in two
modes: (1) the
counting mode
and (2) the total
intensity mode.

In the counting mode,

pulses of scattered
light from individual
particles are counted.
This mode provides the
most accurate
measurements, but
can be used only at
low particle
concentrations.

In the total intensity

mode, typically used
for concentrations of
above 104/cm3,
number
concentrations are
determined from the
total light scattering
intensity.