Particle Number Distribution Research Articles

The behaviour of traffic produced nanoparticles in a car cabin and resulting exposure rates

The aim of this study is to assess particle number concentrations (PNCs) and distributions (PNDs) in a car cabin while driving. Further objectives include the determination of the influence of particle transformation processes on PNCs, PNDs and estimation of PNC related exposure. On-board measurements of PNCs and PNDs were made in the 5–560 nm size range using a fast response differential mobility spectrometer (DMS50), which has a response time of 500 ms. Video records of the traffic ahead of the experimental car were also used to correlate emission events with measured PNCs and PNDs. A total of 30 return trips was made on a 2.7 km route during morning and evening rush hours, with journey times of 7 ± 2 and 10 ± 3 min, respectively. The average PNC for the set of morning journeys, 5.79 ± 3.52 × 104 cm−3, was found to be nearly identical to the average recorded during the afternoon, 5.95 ± 4.67 × 104 cm−3. Average PNCs for individual trips varied from 2.42 × 104 cm−3 to 2.18 × 105 cm−3, mainly due to changes in the emissions affecting the experimental car (e.g. when the experimental car was following another vehicle). The largest one second averaged PNC during a specific event, 1.85 × 106 cm−3, was found to be over 30-times greater than the overall average of 5.87 ± 4.06 × 104 cm−3. Correlation of video records and concentration data indicated that close proximity to a preceding vehicle led to a clear increase in PNCs of freshly emitted nucleation mode particles. The evolution of normalised PNDs demonstrated that dilution was the dominant transformation process in the car cabin. The deposition of inhaled particles in the lung was estimated on the basis of either the size-resolved distribution or the total PNC. In general, the two methods yielded similar results but differences up to 30% were noted in some cases, with the latter method giving the lower values. Overall, the results reflect the importance of size-resolved measurements for deriving accurate evaluations of exposure rates, as well as identifying emissions from nearby traffic as the cause of short-term elevations of PNCs and hence dose rates.

Isothermal crystallization of a single polyethylene chain induced by graphene: A molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular mechanisms of the nucleation and growth of polyethylene molecule are investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations show that the temperature is an important factor for single polyethylene chain crystallization on graphene. From the crystallization process and the particle number distribution of CHx groups along z-axis, it is find the polymer crystallization have two steps, i.e., adsorption and orientation, the two steps are found to be highly cooperative process.

Improvements of organic aerosol representations and their effects in large-scale atmospheric models

Abstract. Organics dominate the composition of the atmospheric aerosol, especially in the fine mode, influencing some of its characteristics such as the hygroscopicity, which is of climatic relevance for the Earth system. This study targets an improvement in the description of organic aerosols suitable for large-scale modelling, making use of recent developments based on laboratory and field measurements. In addition to the organic mass and particle number distribution, the proposed method keeps track of the oxidation state of the aerosol based on the OH exposure time, describing some of its chemical characteristics. This study presents the application of the method in a global chemistry climate model, investigates the sensitivity to process formulations and emission assignments, provides a comparison with observations and analyses the climate impact. Even though the organic aerosol mass distribution is hardly affected by the new formulation, it shows impacts (regionally of the order of 10 % to 20 %) on parameters directly influencing climate via the direct and indirect aerosol effects. Furthermore, the global distribution of the organic O:C ratio is analysed in detail, leading to different regimes in the oxidation state: low O:C ratios over the tropical continents due to small OH concentrations caused by OH depletion in chemical reactions, and enhanced oxidation states over the tropical oceans based on less OH scavengers and at high altitudes due to longer atmospheric residence time. Due to the relation between O:C ratio and the aerosol hygroscopicity the ageing results in a more physically and chemically consistent description of aerosol water uptake by the organic aerosol. In comparison with observations reasonable agreement for the O:C ratio within the limits of a global model of the simulations is achieved.

Influence of Different Natural Gas Blends on the Regulated Emissions, Particle Number and Size Distribution Emissions from a Refuse Hauler Truck

Influence of Different Natural Gas Blends on the Regulated Emissions, Particle Number and Size Distribution Emissions from a Refuse Hauler Truck

Generation of ultrafine particles by high-velocity impact of metal projectiles on a metallic target

In the present work, size distributions and total concentrations of ultrafine particles generated during high velocity impacts of metals are shown. The measure of ballistic-generated particles was performed under controlled impact conditions: Taylor cylinder impact tests were designed and performed using a light gas-gun facility. Two materials were investigated, high purity copper 99.99% and aluminum 7075 T6, with cylinders of two different lengths impacting against a steel anvil. Tests were performed in impact chamber and recorded with a high frame rate camera. High-resolution time measurements of particle distributions and total concentrations were performed through fast mobility particle sizer and aerodynamic particle sizer spectrometers as well as condensation particle counters. Particle emission factors in terms of number and mass were also evaluated.The main result of the research was the measure of high particle generation in the ultrafine range: particle number distributions with a mode of 10nm were detected; furthermore, number emission factors comparable to the ones typical of combustion phenomena were estimated. Finally, the number of particles emitted (larger than 1012partimpact−1 for both the materials) was found strictly related to the impact velocity and the contact surface area between projectile and anvil: these findings seem to indicate that the friction phenomena govern the particle formation process.

Experimental study of particle emission characteristics of a heavy-duty diesel engine and effects of after-treatment systems: Selective catalytic reduction, diesel particulate filter, and diesel particulate and NOx reduction

This investigation focused on the particle emission characteristics of a heavy-duty diesel engine and the effects of after-treatment systems such as diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction. The test engine was operated on the worldwide harmonized transient cycle mode, which is a new transient cycle for Euro 6, and the conventional European transient cycle mode. Four combinations of after-treatment systems, engine-out, selective catalytic reduction, diesel particulate filter, and diesel particulate and nitrogen oxide reduction, were evaluated for the transient cycles, respectively. The whole test procedure, as part of the Korea particulate measurement programme and the inter laboratory correlation exercise for domestic heavy-duty diesel engines, complied with the recommended method of particulate measurement programme. The particles that were extracted through the golden particle measurement system the constant volume sampler tunnel consisted of solid particles like carbonaceous fraction, metal ash, etc. The particles emitted from the tail-pipe, as analyzed by the differential mobility spectrometer, included volatile or soluble particles like sulphate fraction, nitrate fraction, and organic fraction. The test results showed that the particle number and size distribution depended on the catalytic activity or filtration efficiency of the after-treatment system. Compared to the accumulation mode, the nucleation mode was easily caught or oxidized by the after-treatment system. Additionally, the nucleation mode was sharply increased by excessive ammonia injection because nitrogen dioxide-assisted diesel particulate filter regeneration resulted in reduced conversion efficiency of the selective catalytic reduction.

A new technology for revealing the flow profile in integrated lab‐on‐a‐chip

Recently, greater attention has been paid to interactions between biomolecules particularly at the single-molecular level. Due to their novel properties, integrated lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) are in high demand. The LOC was manufactured using the technique of proton beam writing. The biomolecule fluorescein was used to probe flow profiles in the micro∕nanochannels on the LOC by FCS. The FCS optical system was based on a confocal microscopy setup. At different locations on the LOC, the numbers and traveling time of the fluorescein fluidic solution were investigated. From calibrations, ω(0) and τ(D) were 217 nm and 2.2 × 10(-5) s, respectively. Particle number and duration in passing through the detect volume, τ(F), were investigated. Results indicated that particle number was proportional to the size of micro∕nanochannels in the LOC. The particle number distribution and speed of the flow were mirror-symmetric in the two parallel (inlet∕outlet) microchannels. The distribution of the fluidic particles remained stable and the speed of the flow was nearly symmetrical when being transferred in the nanochannels. The results were realistic and in line with the hydromechanics, indicating that in multidisciplinary areas measurements of flow profiles by FCS are possible inside the LOC channels. This study paves the way to investigate biomolecular interactions at the single-molecular level.

Occupational exposure to airborne particles and other pollutants in an aviation base

The occupational exposure to airborne particles and other pollutants in a high performance jet engine airport was investigated. Three spatial scales were considered: i) a downwind receptor site, ii) close to the airstrip, iii) personal monitoring.Particle number, surface area, mass concentrations and distributions were measured as well as inorganic and organic fractions, ionic fractions and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Particle number distribution measured at a receptor site presents a mode of 80 nm and an average total concentration of 6.5 × 103 part. cm−3; the chemical analysis shows that all the elements may be attributed to long-range transport from the sea. Particle number concentrations in the proximity of the airstrip show short term peaks during the working day mainly related to takeoff, landing and pre-flight operations of jet engines. Personal exposure of workers highlights a median number concentration of 2.5 × 104 part. cm−3 and 1.7 × 104 part. cm−3 for crew chief and hangar operator.

Combustion and emission characteristics of a gasoline–dimethyl ether dual-fuel engine

An experimental investigation was performed to investigate the effect of a split-injection strategy on the combustion and exhaust emission characteristics as well as on the particle number distribution for a single-cylinder compression ignition engine with gasoline–dimethyl ether dual fuelling. The gasoline–dimethyl ether dual-fuel injection system utilized port injection for gasoline and direct injection for dimethyl ether. In the present system, premixed fuel (i.e. gasoline) was injected into the premixing chamber at an injection pressure of 3 MPa using gasoline direct injection to mix the air–gasoline mixture sufficiently. However, dimethyl ether fuel was injected at an injection pressure of 50 MPa directly into a combustion chamber in order to control the combustion phase, resulting in a change in the direct-injection timing from −20° to +2° crank angle. The experimental results show that the gasoline–dimethyl ether dual-fuel engine exhibited benefits in the indicated mean effective pressure for early-injection cases (i.e. near −10° crank angle after top dead centre). However, the indicated mean effective pressure of the gasoline–dimethyl ether dual-fuel engine deteriorated for delayed-injection cases owing to incomplete combustion. In addition, a significant reduction in the nitrogen oxide emissions was observed using gasoline–dimethyl ether dual fuel compared with those obtained using conventional dimethyl ether combustion. In particular, soot emissions are almost at zero level for all the cases. On the other hand, hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide emissions increase with an increasing portion of premixed injection fuel (i.e. gasoline) in conventional injection timing, which is near top dead centre.

이동형 배출가스 측정시스템(MEL)을 이용한 디젤 및 가솔린 차량에서 배출되는 입자상 물질 평가

차량에 의한 대기오염을 실제 주행 조건에서 시간과 공간에 구애받지 않고 실시간으로 측정하기 위하여 이동형 배출가스 측정장치(MEL)가 제작되었다. 미니밴 차량에 CO, NOx, CO₂와 같은 배출가스 측정 장비와 입자의 수농도 및 입경별 개수농도 분포 측정을 위한 FMPS, CPC가 탑재되었다. 차량 전단에 장착되는 흡입 샘플링 포트를 사용하여 여러 종류의 차량 추적 실험을 수행하였다. 본 연구에서는 MEL의 상세 사양 및 이를 이용하여 디젤 및 가솔린 연료를 사용하는 승용차량들을 추적 실험한 결과를 나타내었다. 디젤 차량에서 배출되는 입자의 수농도는 가솔린 차량에서 배출되는 입자의 수농도보다 높았으며 다량의 극미세입자를 포함하고 있었다. 하지만, 직접분사식 가솔린 차량은 DPF가 장착된 디젤차량에 비하여 50 nm 이상의 입경 영역에서 입자의 농도가 높은 경향을 보였다.

Mutagenicity of Diesel Engine Exhaust Is Eliminated in the Gas Phase by an Oxidation Catalyst but Only Slightly Reduced in the Particle Phase

Concerns about adverse health effects of diesel engine emissions prompted strong efforts to minimize this hazard, including exhaust treatment by diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC). The effectiveness of such measures is usually assessed by the analysis of the legally regulated exhaust components. In recent years additional analytical and toxicological tests were included in the test panel with the aim to fill possible analytical gaps, for example, mutagenic potency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their nitrated derivatives (nPAH). This investigation focuses on the effect of a DOC on health hazards from combustion of four different fuels: rapeseed methyl ester (RME), common mineral diesel fuel (DF), SHELL V-Power Diesel (V-Power), and ARAL Ultimate Diesel containing 5% RME (B5ULT). We applied the European Stationary Cycle (ESC) to a 6.4 L turbo-charged heavy load engine fulfilling the EURO III standard. The engine was operated with and without DOC. Besides regulated emissions we measured particle size and number distributions, determined the soluble and solid fractions of the particles and characterized the bacterial mutagenicity in the gas phase and the particles of the exhaust. The effectiveness of the DOC differed strongly in regard to the different exhaust constituents: Total hydrocarbons were reduced up to 90% and carbon monoxide up to 98%, whereas nitrogen oxides (NO(X)) remained almost unaffected. Total particle mass (TPM) was reduced by 50% with DOC in common petrol diesel fuel and by 30% in the other fuels. This effect was mainly due to a reduction of the soluble organic particle fraction. The DOC caused an increase of the water-soluble fraction in the exhaust of RME, V-Power, and B5ULT, as well as a pronounced increase of nitrate in all exhausts. A high proportion of ultrafine particles (10-30 nm) in RME exhaust could be ascribed to vaporizable particles. Mutagenicity of the exhaust was low compared to previous investigations. The DOC reduced mutagenic effects most effectively in the gas phase. Mutagenicity of particle extracts was less efficiently diminished. No significant differences of mutagenic effects were observed among the tested fuels. In conclusion, the benefits of the DOC concern regulated emissions except NO(X) as well as nonregulated emissions such as the mutagenicity of the exhaust. The reduction of mutagenicity was particularly observed in the condensates of the gas phase. This is probably due to better accessibility of gaseous mutagenic compounds during the passage of the DOC in contrast to the particle-bound mutagens. Concerning the particulate emissions DOC especially decreased ultrafine particles.

Evaluation of Low-Density Lipoprotein Particle Number Distribution in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have relatively normal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol yet have increased risk for cardiovascular events. Distribution of lipoprotein subclasses in patients with T2DM who have achieved very low levels of LDL cholesterol (<50 mg/dl) or non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (<80 mg/dl) have not been extensively examined. The aim of this study was to assess variations in lipoprotein particle concentration in patients with diabetes with "very low" LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels to elucidate the drivers of residual cardiovascular risk. Data were selected from a single large clinical laboratory database. Cases were patients with T2DM diagnosis codes (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes 250 to 250.93). Lipoprotein particle concentrations were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Friedewald equation was used to calculate LDL cholesterol. Among the 1,970 patients with T2DM, the mean age was 61 years, and approximately 51% were men. At LDL cholesterol concentrations <50 mg/dl (triglyceride <150 mg/dl and HDL cholesterol >40 mg/dl), 16% had LDL particle concentrations <500 nmol/L, 70% had concentrations of 500 to 1,000 nmol/L, and 14% had concentrations >1,001 nmol/L. At non-HDL cholesterol levels <80 mg/dl, 8% had LDL particle concentrations <500 nmol/L, 67% had concentrations of 500 to 1,000 nmol/L, and 25% had concentrations >1,001 nmol/L. In conclusion, despite attainment of LDL cholesterol <50 mg/dl or non-HDL cholesterol <80 mg/dl, patients with diabetes exhibited significant variation in LDL particle levels, with most having LDL particle concentrations >500 nmol/L, suggesting the persistence of potential residual coronary heart disease risk.

Mathematical explanation of the predictive power of the X-level approach reaction noise estimator method

The X-level Approach Reaction Noise Estimator (XARNES) method has been developed previously to study reaction noise in well mixed reaction volumes. The method is a typical moment closure method and it works by closing the infinite hierarchy of equations that describe moments of the particle number distribution function. This is done by using correlation forms which describe correlation effects in a strict mathematical way. The variable X is used to specify which correlation effects (forms) are included in the description. Previously, it was argued, in a rather informal way, that the method should work well in situations where the particle number distribution function is Poisson-like. Numerical tests confirmed this. It was shown that the predictive power of the method increases, i.e. the agreement between the theory and simulations improves, if X is increased. In here, these features of the method are explained by using rigorous mathematical reasoning. Three derivative matching theoremsare proven which show that the observed numerical behavior is generic to the method.

Factors influencing the number distribution and size of the particles emitted from a modern diesel vehicle in real urban traffic

Particle emissions from diesel engine cars depend firstly on exhaust aftertreatment systems but the use of the vehicle becomes also crucial. In urban areas, this use depends on: transport demand, route choices, traffic density, street conditions, weather, driver behaviour and topographical characteristics of the roads. Nowadays, most diesel vehicles in urban areas across Europe are equipped with exhaust aftertreatment systems aiming to reduce the total mass of emitted particles. In comparison to earlier aftertreatment systems, the implementation of modern procedures is causing a reduction in the size of the emitted particles up to a nanometric range. The main goal of this work is the characterization of particle size and number distribution in the submicrometric range from a modern diesel vehicle emission in real traffic conditions in the city of Madrid with the purpose of assessing the actual weight of the different city parameters influencing the particle emission. In order to accomplish this objective, up to 12 on board emission measurement experiments have been performed with a Euro IV Diesel passenger car driving along a single urban circuit in Madrid City. To cover the main external factors, stretch, traffic conditions and driving directions have been considered as independent variables for this study. Assuming a proper car operating conditions, the results show that street characteristics, vehicle density and topographic features are the main factors conditioning the particle emission. Extrapolating our results, a diesel standard passenger car circulating across a city like Madrid can emit more nanoparticles per kilometre (up to 114% more in this study) at peak hour than at off peak hour. Moreover, the driving direction can also influence dramatically the emission of nanoparticles per second. This difference in the emission rate depends on the street but in our study it can be higher than 110% depending on the driving direction.

A comparison of submicrometer particle dose between Australian and Italian people

Alveolar and tracheobronchial-deposited submicrometer particle number and surface area data received by different age groups in Australia are shown. Activity patterns were combined with microenvironmental data through a Monte Carlo method. Particle number distributions for the most significant microenvironments were obtained from our measurement survey data and people activity pattern data from the Australian Human Activity Pattern Survey were used.Daily alveolar particle number (surface area) dose received by all age groups was equal to 3.0 × 1010 particles (4.5 × 102 mm2), varying slightly between males and females. In contrast to gender, the lifestyle was found to significantly affect the daily dose, with highest depositions characterizing adults. The main contribution was due to indoor microenvironments.Finally a comparison between Italian and Australian people in terms of received particle dose was reported; it shows that different cooking styles can affect dose levels: higher doses were received by Italians, mainly due to their particular cooking activity.

Rationalisation of distribution functions for models of nanoparticle magnetism

A formalism is presented which reconciles the use of different distribution functions of particle diameter in analytical models of the magnetic properties of nanoparticle systems. For the lognormal distribution a transformation is derived which shows that a distribution of volume fraction transforms into a lognormal distribution of particle number albeit with a modified median diameter. This transformation resolves an apparent discrepancy reported in Tournus and Tamion [Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 323 (2011) 1118].

EMISSIONS FROM A EURO V TRUCK FUELED BY DIESEL, BIODIESEL BLENDS, NEAT BIODIESEL AND VEGETABLE OIL

The substitution of conventional fuels (gasoline, diesel) by renewable biofuels including biodiesel and vegetable oil is considered as a potential solution not only for satisfying the fuel demand but also for reducing emissions. In this study, a Euro V truck fueled with a low sulphur diesel fuel, a neat biodiesel (B100), biodiesel blends (B7 and B10), a mixture of 7% biodiesel, 3% vegetable oil and 90% diesel (B7+3) and a straight vegetable oil was tested on chassis dynamometer under the European stationary cycle. During the test, emissions in the exhaust gas were collected and measured following the standard methods. Besides the regulated emissions, particle number and size distribution, which were sampled by volatile particle remover system compliant with the PMP requirement, as well as soot concentration, were also considered. Results show the effects of the tested fuels on the engine characteristics as well as the emissions.

Particle Resuspension in School Gyms during Physical Activities

The aim of this work was to quantify the exposure of children to particle resuspension in school gyms. In fact, although moderate standard aerobic activity is suggested for good health, adverse health effects could affect people exercising in micro-environments with ambient pollution. Overall, 12 micro-environments were chosen and analyzed in a 3-month experimental campaign. The different fractions of particulate matter (PM) were measured by means of photometers, calibrated for the specific aerosols studied through gravimetric samplers, whereas particle number distributions in the 0.5–20 μm range were continuously measured using an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) spectrometer. High PM concentration levels were measured in school gyms compared to outdoor values. The dominant source is the particle resuspension produced by the activity of exercising pupils and, among the various PM fractions, the effect on coarse particles (PM10–2.5) was found to be the most important, with the related emissions factors measured in the range of 1.5–8.9 mg/min. During school activities, under natural ventilation conditions, the average coarse particle concentrations at the 12 school gyms investigated were found to be 4.8 ± 2.0 times higher than the background (outdoor) values. The key parameters are the number and intensity of the physical activities, which can be characterized by the total energy used by the students. Therefore, this study provides useful data on the exposure of students to airborne particles during periods of physical activity in gyms with natural ventilation.

Particle number size distribution and new particle formation: New characteristics during the special pollution control period in Beijing

Abstract New particle formation is a key process in shaping the size distribution of aerosols in the atmosphere. We present here the measurement results of number and size distribution of aerosol particles (10-10000 nm in diameter) obtained in the summer of 2008, at a suburban site in Beijing, China. We firstly reported the pollution level, particle number size distribution, diurnal variation of the particle number size distribution and then introduced the characteristics of the particle formation processes. The results showed that the number concentration of ultrafine particles was much lower than the values measured in other urban or suburban areas in previous studies. Sharp increases of ultrafine particle count were frequently observed at noon. An examination of the diurnal pattern suggested that the burst of ultrafine particles was mainly due to new particle formation promoted by photochemical processes. In addition, high relative humidity was a key factor driving the growth of the particles in the afternoon. During the 2-month observations, new particle formation from homogeneous nucleation was observed for 42.7% of the study period. The average growth rate of newly formed particles was 3.2 nm/hr, and varied from 1.2 to 8.0 nm/hr. The required concentration of condensable vapor was 4.4 × 10 7 cm −3, and its source rate was 1.2 × 10 6 cm −3sec −1. Further calculation on the source rate of sulphuric acid vapor indicated that the average participation of sulphuric acid to particle growth rates was 28.7%.

Experimental study on nanoparticle deposition in straight pipe flow

Loss of the number of nanoparticles within pipe may lead to significant change of particle number distribution, total mass concentration and particles mean size. The experiments of multiple dispersion aerosol particles ranging from 5.6 nm to 560 nm in straight pipe are carried out using a fast mobility particle sizer. The particle size number distribution, total number concentrations, geometric mean size and volume are acquired under different pipe lengths and Reynolds numbers. The results show lengthening the pipe and strengthening the turbulence can promote the particle deposition process. The penetration efficiency of smaller particle is lower than the larger one, so the particle mean size increases in the process of deposition.