Novel Aerosol Sampler Developed by GUCAS

  • Published: 2012-04-29
  • 4116

Exposure of atmospheric aerosol is associated with many adverse health impacts, such as asthma, allergy and cardiovascular diseases. Fine particles, also called PM2.5 due to their aerodynamic diameter are not larger than 2.5 um, are more dangerous because they can deeply arrive at alveolus thus directly induce toxicant to respiratory and circulatory systems. However, ambient aerosol sample collection is usually a long haul because most aerosol samplers are designed with heavy and big outlines, and don’t have adjustable flow rate thus don’t have applicability in different research regions.

A dual-channel aerosol sampler was recently designed and manufactured by Dr. ZHANG Yang in Professor ZHANG YuanXun's Group in the Division of Atmospheric Environmental Sciences, CRE, GUCAS. It is characterized by small volume, slight weight, easy carrying, simple and friendly operation, convenient observation and high precision. The application of advanced single chip microcomputer control and LCD Panel technique greatly optimized its operation interface making its function control and parameter display panel conveniently. The flow rate of each channel is accurately controlled by proportional valve and automatically corrected by pressure and temperature compensating. In addition, this sampler is available to collecting the aerosol sample of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 via switching the particle size selector easily. Thus, it is very suitable for field sampling.

This sampler has already been applied in a sampling campaign during and after the 2011 Shenzhen UNIVERSIADE. Results shows that our aerosol sampler has stable and reliable performance.
Operation Panel Display
 
GUCAS1.0 Aerosol Sampler (Taken in 2011 Shenzhen UNIVERSIADE Campaign)