Advanced Aerosol Mass Spectrometer for Aircraft Measurement of Organic Particulate Matter

72904-Aerosol particles have important impacts on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health, although large uncertainties remain on their quantification. A significant part of the anthropogenic aerosol is generated from energy-related activities, and organic compounds are known to account for a large part of ambient aerosol mass in many locations. However, the measurement of the composition of these compounds suffers from the lack of real-time, size-resolved, quantitative instruments. An innovative aerosol mass spectrometer has been recently developed for size-resolved, quantitative chemical composition data on aerosol particles. This project will improve the instrument by interfacing it with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer that will allow chemical analysis of individual aerosol particles. Phase I developed the detection electronics and software for the time-of-flight mass spectrometer, designed the physical interface between the time-of-flight mass spectrometer and the aerosol mass spectrometer system, and conducted preliminary tests of a prototype system in the laboratory and in the field. In Phase II, a complete aerosol mass spectrometer with an integrated time-of-flight mass spectrometer will be built. A customized rack for deployment on board the Department of Energy's Gulfstream 159 research aircraft will be designed and built. Data acquisition and analysis software for the time of flight mass spectrometer will be developed. The system will be flight-tested and deployed in field measurements. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: An autonomous, light weight, aerosol mass spectrometer instrument should provide aerosol measurement capabilities for a variety of monitoring applications beyond atmospheric research. These applications include ambient pollution monitoring, chemical and biological warfare agent identification, and explosives/buried-munitions detection for both assessment and enforcement. The instrument also would be ideally suited to characterize and control aerosol emissions from a variety of industrial and energy production processes which produce aerosol laden gaseous exhaust or waste streams.