We are excited to announce the release of a portable particulate monitor. For more than a decade the Aeroqual portable monitor range has been trusted for accurate and affordable measurement of gaseous pollutants. Now you can use the very same Series 200/300/500 monitors to measure particulate matter (PM) too, thanks to the introduction of the PM2.5 & PM10 sensor head.
What do they measure?
The portable particulate sensor measures:
- Particles 2.5 microns and less (PM2.5)
- Particles 10 microns and less (PM10)
The PM sensor head plugs into Aeroqual’s existing range of Series 200/300/500 monitors all of which can be used to measure a wide range of gases and environmental conditions.
The new PM2.5 & PM10 sensor head clips into the Aeroqual monitor base, just like the existing range of gas sensor heads. At any time one sensor head can be swapped for another. The changeover takes seconds and no configuration or calibration is required. It also makes servicing easy – simply send the sensor head to the service center, rather than the whole instrument.
How is the Aeroqual PM Sensor Different?
What makes the Aeroqual PM sensor different is the attention to data quality that Aeroqual designs into all their instruments. Customers will benefit from the following features:
- Precision active sampling
- Fast T90 response time
- Humidity compensation
- K factor adjustment (Series 300 & 500 models)
- Compatibility with a wide range of gaseous measurements
Together, these features allow the PM sensor head to deliver surprisingly accurate real-time data when compared to instruments that cost 20-30 times more. In head to head field tests with traditional EPA-approved analyzers, the PM sensor has shown r2 correlations of 0.84 (PM2.5) and 0.81 (PM10).
How Does is Work?
The PM Sensor head uses a laser and optical sensor to measure light scattered from particles passing through the laser beam. The optical sensor transforms scattered light into electrical signals which are processed to provide mass measurements – in this case PM2.5 and PM10.
Active Sampling and Humidity Compensation
Like all Aeroqual sensor heads the PM sensor head has a built-in fan to ensure a stable and precise flow of sample air to the sensor. The sensor head also compensates for humidity by way of an on-board humidity sensor. In humid conditions light scattering sensors are likely to read high because moisture surrounds particles, causing them to appear ‘bigger’. The humidity compensation feature reduces this effect on the measurement.
Applications
The PM sensor head has been designed specifically for those who need to gather particulate pollution data quickly and cost effectively. Typical users might include health and safety managers, researchers, air quality agencies and environmental consultants. Designed to be held in the hand, Aeroqual portable monitors are intended for shorter term use – gathering data over a few minutes up to 24 hrs. at multiple locations.
The Aeroqual PM sensor is being put to work in the following applications:
| Application | Particulate Matter | Optional Gases |
| Construction dust and emissions | PM10 | NO2 |
| Roadside traffic emissions | PM2.5, PM10 | NO2, CO, VOC |
| Rail corridor and terminal emissions | PM2.5, PM10 | SO2, NO2 |
| Smog formation and distribution | PM2.5 | O3, VOC, NO2 |
| Validation of air quality models | PM2.5, PM10 | O3, NO2, SO2, VOC, H2S, CO |
| Community exposure studies | PM2.5, PM10 | O3, NO2, SO2, VOC, H2S, CO |
| Indoor air quality assessments | PM2.5, PM10 | O3, CO2, CO, VOC, CHCO |
| Personal exposure monitoring | PM2.5, PM10 | O3, NO2, CO, SO2, H2S, VOC, NH3, CH4, Cl2, CHCO, H2, PERC |
Follow this link for more information on the PM Sensor.
Written by: Carl Beck of Aeroqual