Spatial aerosol flow maldistribution: A design flaw confounding the proper calibration and data interpretation of stages '0' and '1' of the Andersen eight-stage nonviable cascade impactor

摘要

We introduced monodisperse calibrant particles into an eight-stage non-viable Andersen cascade impactor (ACI) operated at 28.3 L/min and separately quantified the particle mass captured under each of the four concentric rings of nozzles on stages 0 and 1, the entry and succeeding stages of this impactor. On both stages, we found that each ring of nozzles has a particle capture efficiency behavior that differs from the others, and the fraction of calibrant particles deposited under each of the individual rings of nozzles depended on the particle size. We believe this behavior derives primarily from a radial flow velocity non-uniformity associated with recirculation zones introduced by the 110 degrees expansion angle of the inlet cone. Because of these recirculation zones, the inertia of particles larger than about 5 mu m aerodynamic diameter will cause their point-wise local concentration to differ from the concentration at the inlet entry. This concentration maldistribution continues to stage 1 primarily because of the annular collection plate at stage 0. The influence of the inlet cone aerodynamics on the performance of both stages means that the size of particles deposited on these plates will be uncertain unless the aerosol transport entering the impactor associated with calibration using monodisperse particles exactly simulates the in-use aerosol flow conditions. The degree of realism necessary in the calibration method has heretofore not been discussed in published calibrations of the ACI, introducing uncertainty in the size interpretation of the particle mass collected on stages 0 and 1 in practical applications of this impactor.