Response characteristics of scattered light aerosol sensors used for control monitoring

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298668791384661· OSTI ID:6829441

Smith, J P; Baron, P A; Murdock, D J

The response characteristics of scattered light aerosol monitors used in control monitoring applications were evaluated. In this report, control monitoring refers to continuous, fixed point monitoring used to ensure that dust controls are effective. Instruments evaluated included the following: an ATI-722, which uses a white light source; a RAM-S, which uses a LED source; and a PCAM-TX, which uses a LED source and provides a correction for particle size. The linearity of the monitors was evaluated from 0.5 - 10 mg/m/sup 3/ with the use of coal dust as an aerosol. All instruments showed a linear response with concentration for constant dust size distribution. The size sensitivity of the instruments was determined by passing a test aerosol through a series of impactor stages and measuring the mass response of each instrument relative to the indicated mass response of an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS). The particle size was varied from 2-14 ..mu..m. The mass response of the instruments relative to the APS over this size range varied from as low as 0.1 to as high as about 5. The PCAM provides data that indicate changes in the size distribution of aerosol being monitored. A simple model was developed to relate the net response of each test instrument to various log normal size distributions. The user of the instruments has to be aware of particle size changes in the aerosol being monitored since changes in the size distribution will affect the relationship between the response of the instruments and the mass concentration. Guidelines for instrument use are given in the order to show how the instruments can be applied to the continuous monitoring of dust in the workplace.

• Research Organization: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 6829441
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 48:3; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR POLLUTION MONITORS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
DUSTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EVALUATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
LIGHT SCATTERING
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
PARTICLE SIZE
POLLUTION
RECOMMENDATIONS
SCATTERING
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
SIZE