Development and Characterization of a Compact Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM)

Aerosol particles have important impacts on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health. A large fraction of these aerosols are generated from energy-related activities. These organic aerosols can be directly emitted from combustion sources or formed through gas-phase reactions of volatile organic compounds. Of the organic aerosol mass, only a small fraction has been compositionally resolved, and little work has been done on partitioning the organic compounds between the gas and particle phases. This project will develop a prototype Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor to measure the ambient aerosol mass and chemical composition of non-refractory PM2.5 aerosol particles in real-time, providing quantitative measurements of particulate ammonium, nitrate, sulfate, chloride, and organics. The instrument will be designed to run autonomously for extended periods of time and will need no expensive post-processing analysis. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee The primary market for the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor would be government agencies that conduct routine environmental monitoring programs. In addition, the instrument should be ideal for routine monitoring of local and regional air quality; for continuous emissions-monitoring at hazardous waste incinerators, power plants, and manufacturing facilities; and for process control monitoring