Airborne particles detection and sizing at single particle level by a novel electrical current pulse sensor. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Hang; Song, Yongxin; Pan, Xinxiang; Li, Dongqing
• Is Part Of: Measurement. Volume 92(2016)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Airborne particle -- Detecting and sizing -- Current pulse; Weights and measures -- Periodicals; Measurement -- Periodicals; Measurement; Weights and measures; Periodicals; 530.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2016.06.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2241

Abstract

Highlights: An electrical signal is generated when an aerosol particle hits a metal electrode. The generated electrical signal is due to the charge transfer between the particle and electrode. The magnitude of the measured signal is linearly proportional to the square of particle's diameter. The number of the signal pulse represents the number of particles in the sample. Abstract: A novel method for detecting and sizing airborne particles at single particle level is presented in this paper. When a particle hits a metal electrode which is grounded, electrostatic charges will be transferred between the particle and the electrode. As a result, an electrical current pulse will be generated in the measurement system. The number of the signal pulse represents the number of particles in the sample. To determine the effect of the particle size on the magnitude of the signal, the correlation between the magnitude of the signal and the size of particle was experimentally investigated. The results show that the magnitude of the measured signal is linearly proportional to the square of particle's diameter. Such a correlation can be used to evaluate particle size from the measured signal. The airborne particle detection method presented in this paper can be used for counting and sizing airborne particles at single particle level.