Comparison of three essential submicron aerosol measurements: mass, size and shape

Published

May 28, 2020

Author(s)

Qi Yao, Akua Asa-Awuku, Christopher D. Zangmeister, James Radney

Abstract

An instrumental trifecta now exists for aerosol separation and classification by mobility diameter (Dm), aerodynamic diameter (Dae) and mass (mp) utilizing a differential mobility analyzer (DMA), aerodynamic aerosol classifier (AAC) or aerosol particle mass analyzer (APM), respectively. In principle, any combination of two measurements yields the third. These quantities also allow for the derivation of the particle effective density (ρeff) and shape factor (χ). Measured and/or derived deviations between tandem measurements are dependent upon the configuration, but generally less than 10 % with non-physical values sometimes being reported. Harmonization of these measurement methods, and their uncertainties, will be required to improve data agreement and enable quantitative comparability between studies.

Citation

Aerosol Science and Technology

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2020.1763248

Local Download

Keywords

aerosol, metrology, aerodynamic diameter, mobility diameter, mass

Citation

Yao, Q. , Asa-Awuku, A. , Zangmeister, C. and Radney, J. (2020), Comparison of three essential submicron aerosol measurements: mass, size and shape, Aerosol Science and Technology, [online], https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2020.1763248, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=929243 (Accessed October 9, 2025)