On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes

Ultrafine vehicular particle (<100 nm) number size distributions presented in the literature are mostly averages of long scan-time (~30 s or more) spectra mainly due to the non-availability of commercial instruments that can measure particle distributions in the <10 nm to 100 nm range...

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Main Authors: X. H. Yao, N. T. Lau, M. Fang, C. K. Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2006-01-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/6/4801/2006/acp-6-4801-2006.pdf
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author X. H. Yao
N. T. Lau
M. Fang
C. K. Chan
author_facet X. H. Yao
N. T. Lau
M. Fang
C. K. Chan
author_sort X. H. Yao
collection DOAJ
description Ultrafine vehicular particle (<100 nm) number size distributions presented in the literature are mostly averages of long scan-time (~30 s or more) spectra mainly due to the non-availability of commercial instruments that can measure particle distributions in the <10 nm to 100 nm range faster than 30 s even though individual researchers have built faster (1–2.5 s) scanning instruments. With the introduction of the Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS) in 2004, high time-resolution (1 full 32-channel spectrum per second) particle size distribution data become possible and allow atmospheric researchers to study the characteristics of ultrafine vehicular particles in rapidly and perhaps randomly varying high concentration environments such as roadside, on-road and tunnel. In this study, particle size distributions in these environments were found to vary as rapidly as one second frequently. This poses the question on the generality of using averages of long scan-time spectra for dynamic and/or mechanistic studies in rapidly and perhaps randomly varying high concentration environments. One-second EEPS data taken at roadside, on roads and in tunnels by a mobile platform are time-averaged to yield 5, 10, 30 and 120 s distributions to answer this question.
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spelling doaj.art-0606d689b27943ecb7c98a13c573b3872022-12-21T23:23:52ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242006-01-0161248014807On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumesX. H. YaoN. T. LauM. FangC. K. ChanUltrafine vehicular particle (<100 nm) number size distributions presented in the literature are mostly averages of long scan-time (~30 s or more) spectra mainly due to the non-availability of commercial instruments that can measure particle distributions in the <10 nm to 100 nm range faster than 30 s even though individual researchers have built faster (1–2.5 s) scanning instruments. With the introduction of the Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS) in 2004, high time-resolution (1 full 32-channel spectrum per second) particle size distribution data become possible and allow atmospheric researchers to study the characteristics of ultrafine vehicular particles in rapidly and perhaps randomly varying high concentration environments such as roadside, on-road and tunnel. In this study, particle size distributions in these environments were found to vary as rapidly as one second frequently. This poses the question on the generality of using averages of long scan-time spectra for dynamic and/or mechanistic studies in rapidly and perhaps randomly varying high concentration environments. One-second EEPS data taken at roadside, on roads and in tunnels by a mobile platform are time-averaged to yield 5, 10, 30 and 120 s distributions to answer this question.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/6/4801/2006/acp-6-4801-2006.pdf
spellingShingle X. H. Yao
N. T. Lau
M. Fang
C. K. Chan
On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
title_full On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
title_fullStr On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
title_full_unstemmed On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
title_short On the time-averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
title_sort on the time averaging of ultrafine particle number size spectra in vehicular plumes
url http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/6/4801/2006/acp-6-4801-2006.pdf
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