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OPEN PATH OPTICAL SENSING OF PARTICULATE MATTER
Citation:
VARMA, R. M., R. A. HASHMONAY, M. A. BOLCH, D. B. HARRIS, AND B. J. KIM. OPEN PATH OPTICAL SENSING OF PARTICULATE MATTER. In Proceedings, A&WMA Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 21 - 24, 2005. AWMA, Pittsburgh, PA, 1212, (2005).
Description:
The paper discusses the concepts behind recent developments in optical remote sensing (ORS) and the results from experiments. Airborne fugitive and fine particulate matter (PM) from various sources contribute to exceedances of state and federal PM and visibility standards. Recent studies have shown that an ORS approach can be used for characterizing airborne PM by measuring multi-spectral light extinction. The optical open path remote sensing instrument used in this study is a monostatic open path Fourier transform infrared (OPFTIR) instrument collecting light extinction data through a controlled cloud of PM. Preliminary optical depth measurements and the unique absorption features for the PM as seen by the OP-FTIR for different sample releases are presented. The extinction spectra from OP-FTIR measurements were used to retrieve size distribution information and comparisons were made with aerodynamic particle sizer APS measurements.