Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Demonstration of a Continuous, Real-Time PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Monitor Based on an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer
EPA Contract Number: EPD05057Title: Demonstration of a Continuous, Real-Time PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Monitor Based on an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer
Investigators: Worsnop, Douglas R.
Small Business: Aerodyne Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: April 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2005) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Particulate Matter , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
With support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Aerodyne Research, Inc., together with scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Dr. Karsten Baumann, formerly with the Georgia Institute for Technology, led an effort to develop an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) based on the successful Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS). The goal of this SBIR project was to construct a prototype ACSM and evaluate its performance for continuous monitoring applications. The goals of this project have been met with the exception of the proposed field comparison study.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
A prototype ACSM instrument has been successfully built and tested in the laboratory. The ACSM is capable of quantifying nonrefractory aerosol chemical components, which are believed to be human health threats, including inorganic acid sulfate, nitrate, ammonium; a broad range of organic acids and other carbonyls; aromatics, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); alkanes; and alkenes.
Instrument protocols for setup and operation have been developed and implemented as macros in the data acquisition software associated with the low cost quadrupole mass spectrometer detector. The instrument behaves in a similar manner to the AMS, though with the expected reductions in detection limits and with a lower time resolution (~30 minutes). The mass spectral output of the ACSM is directly compatible with the extensive analysis software already developed for the AMS. A dual chopper velocity selector was built and proven to function as a means of obtaining size-resolved chemical composition. The ACSM was demonstrated to run autonomously for several days.
Conclusions:
The ACSM instrument developed under this SBIR project has been successfully constructed and laboratory tested. The ACSM will continue to be developed within Aerodyne Research, Inc., and tested in the field with the support and interest of external entities that are interested in utilizing the capabilities of the ACSM for reliable aerosol monitoring. A commercialization brochure describing the ACSM capabilities has been developed.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, aerosol chemical speciation PM2.5 monitor, real-time monitor, particulate matter, chemical speciation monitor, aerosol mass spectrometer, AMS, aerosol chemical speciation monitor, ACSM, particulate inorganics, organics, measurement methods, continuous monitoring, real-time monitoring,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Air Quality, particulate matter, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, air quality modeling, particle size, atmospheric particulate matter, particulate organic carbon, atmospheric measurements, aerosol particles, atmospheric particles, mass spectrometry, chemical characteristics, PM 2.5, air modeling, air quality models, airborne particulate matter, continuous monitoring, air sampling, gas chromatography, air quality model, emissions, carbon particles, particulate matter mass, ultrafine particulate matter, air quality assessments, modeling studies, particle dispersion, aerosol analyzers, aerosol time of flight mass spectrometry, measurement methods, atmospheric chemistry, particle size measurementSBIR Phase I:
Demonstration of a Continuous, Real-Time PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Monitor Based on an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.