Methods and devices for collecting and analyzing aerosol particles

Abstract

A device (200) for collecting and analyzing aerosol particles includes a fluid storage tank (206) for generating a condensing fluid (256) having a first temperature; and an aerosol collection port (202) having a vapor inlet (212) for receiving the condensing fluid, and an aerosol inlet (222) for receiving an aerosol stream having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The condensing fluid (256) is mixed with the aerosol stream in the aerosol collection port (202) producing a mixed stream. The device also includes a growth tube (204) configured to receive the mixed stream and condense aerosol particles to form a gaseous stream containing grown droplets which contain aerosol particles; and a converging nozzle (248) in fluid communication with the growth tube (204). The device allows for semi-continuous measurement of aerosol samples, and the measurement cycle can include: i) collection of particles onto a substrate (238), ii) analysis using spectroscopic techniques, and iii) removal of samples and preparing for next measurement.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.