Multiple and Single Particle

Sensing and Sensors

 Multiple Particle Sensing
• Sampling Volume ≥ 1/number
concentration

• Independent of sample volume

(measuring a ‘cloud’)

• Precision depends on averaging time

(due to variations in the ‘cloud’)
 Multiple Particle Sensors
• Extinction (umbrella)
– Smoke Meter (soot content in exhaust stack)
– Transmissometer (visual ranging)

• Scattering
– Intensity (nephelometry)
– Backscatter (LIDAR)
– Photometry
 Photometer
• Aerosol is illuminated by a light source

• Total scattered light is detected by PMT

• Total concentration is measured

 Photometer
Aerosol
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Photodetector 00
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000 Light Source

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Collector Optics
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Focus Optics

Electronics
Photometer Focal Point
 Nephelometer
• Particle density is a
function of the light
reflected into the
detector from the
illuminated particles
 Multiple Particle Sensors
Summary
• Light-Particle interaction results in
scattering
• Optical instruments in particle
measurement is dependent upon the
particle size and scattering properties
• Multiple particle scattering is
independent of volume; depends on
averaging time.
 Single Particle Sensing
• Sample Volume << 1/number
concentration

• Requires a precise, known volume of

sampled air

• Same as counting events; precision

depends on total counts
 Single Particle Sensors
• Light attenuation (extinction)
• Scattering (Particle Counters)
– Laser
– White Light
• Angular Scattering
• Doppler anemometer
 Particle Counter

Photodetector

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Electronics Light Source

Collector Optics Focus Optics
 Common Particle Counter
Challenges
• Multi Valued Response
• Coincidence
• Problems at small particle sizes
Multi Valued Signal
 Coincidence

Photodetector

O
O

Electronics Light Source

Collector Optics Focus Optics
 Small Particle Detection
• Scattering intensity is very small

• Common Solutions
– Increase intensity of light
– Change light source wavelength
– New techniques?
 Small Particle Detection
• Increase Intensity
– Improves signal from particles
– Increases noise from air molecules
• Reduce the wavelength
– Shifts the curves to smaller sizes
– Increases noise from molecules
• Reduce the viewing volume
 Condensation Nucleus
Counter

Saturator Vapor
Condensation Nucleii

Aerosol

Alcohol
 Single Particle Sensors
Summary
• Most optical measurements are in the MIE regime
• Single particle counting requires known volume of
sampled air
• Same as counting events; precision depends on total
counts – long sample times at low counts
• Problems of coincidence at high concentrations
• Non unique response and low signal to noise ratio at
small sizes
• Small sizes handled by using smaller wavelengths or
proprietary methods
 Photometer vs.
Particle Counter vs. CNC
• Photometer
– Measures Total Aerosol
– Response Linear With Total Aerosol
Volume
– Requires Known Aerosol And Relatively
High Concentration
– Problems:
• No Particle Size Information
• Requires High Concentrations
 Photometer vs.
Particle Counter vs. CNC
• Particle Counter (Laser)
– Detects and sizes particles
– Counts by size
– Measures down to 0.1 μm
– Can use any aerosol
– Problems:
• Assumes everything measured is a PSL
• Multi Valued Response
• Coincidence
• Problems at small particle sizes
• Long sample times to obtain a statistically valid results
 Photometer vs.
Particle Counter vs. CNC
• CNC
– Particle detector only
– Can measure less than 0.05 μm
– Problems:
• Requires mono-dispersed aerosol
• Counts all particles, noise at bottom end
• Long sample times to obtain a statistically valid
results