Development of a Versatile Aircraft Aerosol Mass Spectrometer for Organic Aerosol Analysis

60921 Although there are large uncertainties in the quantification of aerosol particles, they have important effects on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health. Organic compounds, generated from energy related activities, are known to constitute a large fraction of the ambient aerosol mass in many locations. The quantification of these compounds is hindered by the lack of real-time, size-resolved, quantitative instruments for the measurement of the chemical composition of organic aerosols. Especially needed are instruments with the size, weight, ruggedness, and time resolution required aboard research aircraft. This project will utilize an innovative aerosol mass spectrometer for size-resolved, quantitative chemical composition data on aerosol particles. The instrument will be upgraded for aircraft deployment, and improvements in organic composition analysis, particle shape measurement, and particle counting will be added. In Phase I, the response of the aerosol mass spectrometer to organic aerosols was demonstrated in two field campaigns and in laboratory experiments. The analysis of organic aerosol data was improved and quantified. An aerosol inlet for aircraft sampling was designed, and design specifications for an aircraft compatible instrument were completed. In Phase II, the aircraft deployable aerosol mass spectrometer will be constructed, and the aerosol inlet will be built and tested. Both will be installed on a Department of Energy research aircraft and tested. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Because of the breadth of species potentially accessible with mass spectrometry, an autonomous, light weight aerosol mass spectrometer instrument should provide aerosol measurement capabilities for atmospheric research, ambient pollution monitoring, chemical and biological warfare agent identification, and explosives/buried munitions detection. It should also have applicability to a variety of production processes, including semiconductor manufacturing tools, gas turbines, fluidized bed combustors, diesel combustors and conventional furnaces used for electrical power, thermal energy and propulsion applications.