Experimental counting efficiency of the TSI aerodynamic particle sizer in the submicron size range

Karg, Erwin; Dua, S.K.; Tschiersch, J.

doi:10.1016/s0021-8502(05)80110-7

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Compared to other studies, e.g. Karg et al (1991), Peters and Leith (2003), Volcken and Peters (2005), it was not possible to determine quantitatively the individual counting efficiencies. The particle number size distribution could be only qualitatively compared to each other.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…For smaller particles, unsystematic deviations are visible, whereas for larger particles the results seems to be systematic too low and some more outliers are noticeable. For particles smaller than 0.8 µm, the sizing accuracy can be distorted by the counting efficiency of the device, which was previously shown for the older 3310 model APS (Karg et al, 1991). The results for larger PSL spheres might be influenced by poor counting statistics with relative deviations up to 5 % for 3µm, based on the decreasing concentration.…”

Section: Sizing Accuracymentioning

confidence: 86%

“…This issue was analyzed in several studies for previous TSI APS models as well as for the latest model 3321 (Karg et al, 1991;Armendariz and Leith, 2002;Peters and Leith, 2003;Volckens and Peters, 2005). In general, the counting efficiency of a TSI APS model 3321 is influenced by aspiration losses, transmission losses and detector errors (Volcken and Peters, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…or the precision of the alignment of the aerosol flow and the laser beam could be a reason for this variability. Karg et al (1991) already showed that the counting efficiency may depend also on the sample. This aspect is reasonable in the context that the counting efficiency in the submicron range is based on the detector error.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Aerodynamic particle size spectrometers are a well-established method to measure number size distributions of coarse mode particles in the atmosphere. Quality assurance is essential for atmospheric observational aerosol networks to obtain comparable results with known uncertainties. In a laboratory study within the framework of ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure Network), 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS model 3321, TSI Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) were compared with a focus on flow rates, particle sizing, and the unit-tounit variability of the particle number size distribution.Flow rate deviations were relatively small (within a few percent), while the sizing accuracy was found to be within 10 % compared to polystyrene latex (PSL) reference particles. The unit-to-unit variability in terms of the particle number size distribution during this study was within 10 % to 20 % for particles in the range of 0.9 up to 3 µm, which is acceptable for atmospheric measurements. For particles smaller than that, the variability increased up to 60 %, probably caused by differences in the counting efficiencies of individual units. Number size distribution data for particles smaller than 0.9 µm in aerodynamic diameter should only be used with caution. For particles larger than 3 µm, the unit-tounit variability increased as well. A possible reason is an insufficient sizing accuracy in combination with a steeply sloping particle number size distribution and the increasing uncertainty due to decreasing counting. Particularly this uncertainty of the particle number size distribution must be considered if higher moments of the size distribution such as the particle volume or mass are calculated, which require the conversion of the aerodynamic diameter measured to a volume equivalent diameter.In order to perform a quantitative quality assurance, a traceable reference method for the particle number concentration in the size range 0.5-3 µm is needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Sizing Accuracymentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution

et al. 2016

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“…The large unit-to-unit variability of the number size distribution in the sub-micron range certainly results from individual differences in unit counting efficiencies. This issue was analyzed in several studies for previous TSI APS models as well as for the latest model 3321 (Karg et al, 1991;Armendariz and Leith, 2002;Peters and Leith, 2003;Volckens and Peters, 2005). In general, the counting efficiency of a TSI APS model 3321 is influenced by aspiration losses, transmission losses and detector errors (Volcken and Peters, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution

Pfeifer¹,

Müller²,

Weinhold³

et al. 2015

Preprint

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Abstract. Aerodynamic particle size spectrometers are a well-established method to measure number size distributions of coarse mode particles in the atmosphere. Quality assurance is essential for atmospheric observational aerosol networks to obtain comparable results with known uncertainties. In a laboratory study within the framework of ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure Network), 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS model 3321, TSI Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) were compared with a focus on flow rates accuracy, particle sizing, and unit-to-unit variability of the particle number size distribution. Flow rate deviations were relatively small (within a few percent), while the sizing accuracy was found to be within 10 % compared to polystyrene latex (PSL) reference particles. The unit-to-unit variability in terms of the particle number size distribution during this study was within 10–20 % for particles in the range of 0.9 up to 3 μm, which is acceptable for atmospheric measurements. For particles smaller than that, the variability increased up to 60 %, probably caused by differences in the counting efficiencies of individual units. Number size distribution data for particles smaller than 0.9 μm in aerodynamic diameter should be only used with caution. For particles larger than 3 μm, the unit-to-unit variability increased as well. A possible reason is an insufficient sizing accuracy in combination with a steeply sloping particle number size distribution and the increasing uncertainty due to decreasing counting. This uncertainty of the particle number size distribution has especially to be considered if higher moments of the size distribution such as the particle volume or mass are calculated, which require the conversion of the aerodynamic diameter measured to a volume equivalent diameter. In order to perform a quantitative quality assurance, a traceable reference method for the particle number concentration in the size range 0.5–3 μm is needed.

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13 O 05 The new aerodynamic particle analyzer

Toporkov¹,

Medvedev²,

Philippenko³

et al. 1993

Journal of Aerosol Science

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Experimental counting efficiency of the TSI aerodynamic particle sizer in the submicron size range

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution

Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution

Intercomparison of 15 aerodynamic particle size spectrometers (APS 3321): uncertainties in particle sizing and number size distribution

13 O 05 The new aerodynamic particle analyzer

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