Characterization of Particulate Organic via Combined Thermal Desorption Aerosol Gas Chromatography and Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (TAG-AMS)

Although aerosol particles have important impacts on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health, large uncertainties remain in quantifying their chemical composition and atmospheric transformations. Particularly lacking are real-time, quantitative instruments for the identification, speciation, and source apportionment of organic-containing aerosols. An innovative thermal desorption, time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer has been developed to fill a critical need for size-resolved, quantitative chemical composition data on aerosol particles. In this project, this instrument will be integrated with a technology that provides chemical identification of individual organic constituents in aerosol particles, using retention time on a gas chromatography column. Phase I demonstrated that the aerosol collection/desorption/gas-chromatography technology can be integrated into the aerosol mass spectrometer, and the performance of the combined instrument was evaluated with ambientaerosol particles. During Phase II, (1) new hardware for the interface between the two instruments will be designed and constructed; (2) the footprint of the combined instrument will be minimized; (3) software will be developed for computer control of the combined instrument, for rapid data acquisition, and for comprehensive data analysis; and (4) the combined instrument will be evaluated in the laboratory and deployed in a field campaign. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The primary market for this instrument will be atmospheric research groups at universities and national laboratories. In addition, the combined instrument has the potential to provide aerosol measurement capabilities for a variety of monitoring applications beyond the field of atmospheric research ¿ e.g., industrial and energy production processes that produce aerosol-laden exhaust, including semiconductor manufacturing, gas turbines, fluidized bed combustors, diesel combustors, and conventional furnaces.