Empirical calibration of a laser particle size analyzer for silica dust

Abstract

An empirical calibration procedure for a non-ideal aerosol has been identified for the laser particle size analyzer (LPSA.) The procedure utilizes an SEM image analysis determined geometric size distribution for the calibrating silica dust aerosol. By comparing the size distributions of the LPSA and the SEM geometric size distribution at the same cumulative fraction, a new particle signal pulse voltage versus particle size curve can be developed. The calibration curve developed by this procedure could be used to measure (within instrument range) the geometric size distribution of silica dust produced from different manufacturing techniques and different equipment parameters for aerosol generation with good agreement to SEM size data. SEM operator controlled variables and count numbers have been identified as important error sources in establishing the empirical calibration.