Prototype of the new Aethalometer.
Scope of project
In this project, we support the development of a new Aethalometer measuring the light absorption at 7 wavelenghts. Sandradewi et al. (2008) showed that the use of multiple wavelength light absorption measurements can be used to quantitatively assess the source contribution of wood burning versus traffic which is very important for air quality abatement strategies. The plan is to develop a fast new instrument which will measure optical absorption of the LACA at 7 different wavelengths with a measured compensation of loading effects. Interpretation of this compensation measurement will not depend on any assumptions of aerosol properties. It will enable ambient measurements and measurements at the source due to its extremely fast response to changes in aerosol concentrations that occur when sampling a combustion engine exhaust or a stack.
Field campaigns
- Reiden, Switzerland, stationary measurements 2010-2011
- Roveredo, Switzerland, Measurements with mobile laboratory, 2011
- Härkingen, Switzerland, Measurements with mobile laboratory, 2011
- Ispra, Italy, Emission measurements of vehicles on dynamometers, September/October 2011, see also S-Feinstaub project
Key Findings
The development and testing of the AE33 was successfully finished and a commercially available version can be acquired from Aerosol d.o.o. and numerous instruments are operated around the world.
Collaborations
- Aerosol d.o.o., Slovenia is leading the project and developing the new instrument
- inNET, Switzerland is supporting the project with the long-term measurements in Reiden
Further Information
Publications
Journal Articles
The "dual-spot" Aethalometer: an improved measurement of aerosol black carbon with real-time loading compensation.Drinovec, L., G. Močnik, P. Zotter, A. S. H. Prévôt, C. Ruckstuhl, E. Coz, M. Rupakheti, J. Sciare, T. Müller, A. Wiedensohler, and A. D. A. Hansen, 2015
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 1965-1979.
DOI: 10.5194/amt-8-1965-2015