Derivation and Use of Simple Relationships between Aerodynamic and Optical Particle Measurements
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 4
Abstract
A simple relationship, referred to as a mass conversion factor (MCF), is presented to convert optically based particle measurements to mass concentration. It is calculated from filter-based samples and optical particle counter (OPC) data on a daily or sample period basis. The MCF allows for greater temporal and spatial mass concentration information than typical filter-based measurements. Results of MCF calculations from several field studies are summarized. Pairwise comparisons from a collocated study with multiple OPCs and mass samplers suggest the minimum variability of the MCF is 5–10%. The variability of the MCF within a sample period during a field study with distributed samplers averaged 17–21%. In addition, the precision of the Airmetrics MiniVol Portable Air Sampler for particulate matter (PM) was typically . Comparisons with federal reference method (FRM) samplers showed that MiniVols yield concentrations essentially equivalent to FRMs with slightly greater deviations from the FRM for under tested ambient conditions.
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Acknowledgments
The research reported in this paper is partially based upon work supported by the USDA, Cooperative Agreement No. 58-3625-9-743. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA. The State of Utah, Department of Environmental Quality, also provided funding and equipment support for some of the data collection. The writers thank the teams involved in conducting the field work. Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the USDA, State of Utah, Utah State University, or Space Dynamics Laboratory.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 4 • April 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 21, 2014
Accepted: Jul 30, 2014
Published online: Oct 14, 2014
Discussion open until: Mar 14, 2015
Published in print: Apr 1, 2015
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