Calibration of Optical Particle Counters with Respect to Particle Size

Abstract

AbstractIn optical particle counters the calibration function describing the relationship between the amplitude of the scattered light pulses and particle size depends on several parameters. In this paper, several calibration methods are discussed. As an example, the calibration of an optical particle counter (HC‐15, Polytec GmbH & Co., Waldbronn, FRG) is demonstrated, using real aerosols with unknown particle shape and refractive index, and a precollector with known collection efficiency. The error analysis, when performed together with the results of an indirect check of the obtained calibration curve, provide evidence that this method yields good calibration curves for the aerosol being measured. The method is then applied to obtain the calibration curves for quartz dust, ash from a fluidized bed combustor and coal dust.