In situ particle size measurement of smoke, fumes and aerosols containing microscopic solids and droplets
In situ fume particle size analysis
1. Laboratory source of sulphuric acid mist
2. Particles of peat smoke from a maltings providing malted barley for single malt whisky production
3. Oil droplets from a drying process, the size measured is below 2 microns
4, 5. Sulphuric acid mist samples. The mist consists of discrete micron/sub-micron sized droplets, and is produced by heating concentrated sulphuric acid until it decomposes
In situ particle size measurement of smoke, fumes and aerosols containing microscopic solids and droplets
The particle or droplet size is measured using our own version of the CASCADE IMPACTOR, which has been adapted to be used in – situ at the source of the fumes. The instrument uses physical characteristics of the particulates which are relevant to the operation of gas scrubbing plant
The measurement range covered is the critical one for the design of gas cleaning plant, from 1 micron up to 10-20 microns (1000 microns = 1 millimetre).
The cascade impactor has been used, for example, to determine the size of particulates* in:
- Ammonium sulphate fume
- Cigarette smoke
- Dryer exhaust gases
- Hydrochloric acid mist
- Lead fume,
- Metal refining fumes
- Peat smoke
- Silicone oil fumes
- Sodium cyanide
- Sulphuric acid mist
- Titanium oxide
- Vehicle exhaust
(* “Particulates” is used to include both solid particles and liquid droplets) The cascade impactor is the best-suited instrument for this purpose as;
a) Measurements can be made in situ, and as such, the sizes determined are those that will be encountered by gas cleaning equipment. The material characteristics are not altered by the method of measurement.
b) The instrument uses physical characteristics of the particulates which are relevant to the operation of gas scrubbing plant
c) The measurement range covered is the critical one for the design of gas cleaning plant, i.e. in the range up to 10-20 microns
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