Calibration of Andersen nonviable impactor under special conditions of high flow and membrane filter surface coating

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7211097

Elder, J C; Tillery, M I; Ettinger, H J

The Andersen 8-stage nonviable cascade impactor has been calibrated through the upper five stages (6th partially) at three times the normal operating flow rate. The test aerosol was Eosin-Y fluorescein dye generated from a vibrating orifice monodisperse aerosol generator. The high flow rate (1.4 x 10/sup -3/ m/sup 3//s or 3 ft/sup 3//min) significantly reduced the 50% efficiency diameter (D/sub 50/) of each stage and increased the incidence of particle rebound. Use of membrane filters as convenient sample substrates to cover the impaction surfaces did not significantly retard particle rebound. Coating impaction surfaces with a sticky substance improved efficiency somewhat, but sharpness of cut was not significantly improved. Wall losses ranged from 11% for a 1.1 ..mu..m aerodynamic diameter (D/sub ae/) aerosol to 85% for a 6.7 ..mu..m D/sub ae/ aerosol. The adverse effects of high wall loss and particle rebound on determination of aerosol size characteristics under these special conditions are discussed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 7211097
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-77-874; CONF-770622-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
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& Techniques
ACTINIDES
AEROSOLS
AIR CLEANING SYSTEMS
CALIBRATION
CASCADE IMPACTORS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
METALS
PARTICLE SIZE
PLUTONIUM
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SOLS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS