Condensation particle counters

A system, comprising:

• a detection chamber comprising a test axis;
• a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the detection chamber and comprising a test fluid, wherein the first fluid conduit comprises a saturation chamber and a condensation chamber;
• a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the detection chamber separate from the first fluid conduit and having a barrier fluid;
• a detection system configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the test fluid to determine a number of particles in the test fluid, the barrier fluid separating the test fluid from the detection system;
• and
• an air drawer in fluid connection with the detection chamber configured to pull the test fluid through the first fluid conduit,
• wherein test fluid enters the detection chamber through a nozzle in an opening in a lower wall of a detection housing and the barrier fluid enters the detection chamber through a space formed between a wall of the opening and the nozzle,
• wherein the wall of the opening, the nozzle, a chamber of the second fluid conduit, and the detection chamber are a part of a test axis, and
• wherein, prior to entering the space formed between the wall of the opening and the nozzle, the barrier fluid can spread throughout the chamber of the second fluid conduit such that the barrier fluid forms a cylindrical barrier to the test fluid to reduce communication of vapor from the test fluid to parts of the detection chamber outside of the cylindrical barrier according to the test fluid having a vapor pressure higher than a vapor pressure of the barrier fluid within the detection chamber.

A system, comprising:

• a detection chamber comprising a test axis;
• a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the detection chamber and comprising a test fluid, wherein the first fluid conduit comprises a saturation chamber and a condensation chamber;
• a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the detection chamber separate from the first fluid conduit and having a barrier fluid;
• a detection system configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the test fluid to determine a number of particles in the test fluid, the barrier fluid separating the test fluid from the detection system;
• an air drawer in fluid connection with the detection chamber configured to pull the test fluid through the first fluid conduit;
• and
• a controller configured to adjust a speed of the air drawer,
• wherein test fluid enters the detection chamber through a nozzle in an opening in a lower wall of a detection housing and the barrier fluid enters the detection chamber through a space formed between a wall of the opening and the nozzle,
• wherein the wall of the opening, the nozzle, a chamber of the second fluid conduit, and the detection chamber are a part of a test axis, and
• wherein, prior to entering the space formed between the wall of the opening and the nozzle, the barrier fluid can spread throughout the chamber of the second fluid conduit such that the barrier fluid forms a cylindrical barrier to the test fluid to reduce communication of vapor from the test fluid to parts of the detection chamber outside of the cylindrical barrier according to the test fluid having a vapor pressure higher than a vapor pressure of the barrier fluid within the detection chamber.