Aerodynamic aerosol classifier

An aerodynamic aerosol classifier (AAC) is an embodiment of a measurement technique for classifying <a href="/facts/Aerosol/X1jXFLp2">aerosol</a> particles according to their <a href="/facts/Aerodynamic_diameter/X1jXFLp2">aerodynamic diameters</a>.
The technique allows online size classification of particles without requiring them to be electrically charged, and advantageously allows selection of particles within a narrow range of aerodynamic diameters. This is by contrast to an <a href="/facts/Aerosol_impaction/qUaLDYAp">impactor</a> or virtual impactor, which allow only particles smaller than, or larger than, a certain cut-point, respectively. A practically implementable AAC can classify particles from the nanometre range to a few microns in size.
This removes many of the difficulties associated with multiple charging artifacts, such as may be encountered when classifying particles by size according to <a href="/facts/Electrical_mobility/puR4foqd">electrical mobility</a> (such as the <a href="/facts/Differential_mobility_analyzer/TXruu3Ys">differential mobility analyser</a> or DMA). The selection of particles by aerodynamic diameter also lends itself to respiratory and <a href="/facts/Inhalation_exposure/mesmCWzV">inhalation</a> applications as this metric directly affects lung deposition. 
The technique is described by Olfert et al.

Aerodynamic aerosol classifier open-in-new

Aerodynamic aerosol classifier