Condensation nucleus counter employing supersaturation by thermal differentiation

A condensation nucleus counter for detecting particles entrained in a sample gas stream, said counter comprising:

• a conduit adapted to allow said sample gas stream to flow therethrough;
• a saturator having an inlet in fluid communication with said conduit, said saturator containing a vaporized fluid;
• a condenser in fluid communication with said saturator;
• means, in thermal contact with said sample gas stream, for supersaturating vaporized fluid positioned proximate to said inlet;
• a detector in data communication with said sample gas stream;
• and
• a condenser disposed between said detector and said saturator.

A method of measuring particulate matter entrained within a sample gas stream, comprising the steps of:

• heating said sample gas stream to a first temperature;
• providing a saturator containing a vaporizable fluid;
• heating said vaporizable fluid to produce a vapor having a second temperature;
• introducing said gas stream into said vapor, with a difference between said first and second temperatures creating a thermal differential causing said vapor to condense about said particulate matter to form a plurality of droplets;
• providing a condenser having an atmosphere;
• heating said atmosphere to a third temperature;
• introducing said plurality of droplets into said atmosphere, whereby each of said plurality of droplets passing through said atmosphere obtain a predetermined diameter through condensation and evaporation processes;
• and
• measuring a physical attribute of said plurality of droplets exiting said condenser.