On the Sizing Accuracy of Laser Optical Particle Counters

The performance of a narrow-angle and a wide-angle, forward scattering laser aerosol spectrometer has been studied as a function of particle size and refractive index. The results have been compared with theoretical calculations based on light scattering theory. The results indicate that for the narrow-angle instrument, the scattered-light intensity is not a monotonic function of particle size for transparent particles (a monotonic relationship is required for unambiguous particle size measurement) above 0.7 μm. The instrument is therefore limited in its useful range to size distribution measurement between 0.2 μm – its lower particle size limit – and 0.7 μm for transparent particles. In the case of the wide-angle instrument, the instrument output is a monotonic function of particle size for transparent particles, but the output is severely attenuated for light absorbing particles above 0.3 μm. The instrument, therefore, cannot be used for accurate size measurements above 0.3 μm for light absorbing particles.     

群体雾粒子散射模型及散射角谱研究

 如何提高制导精度是研制制导系统所要关心的问题,在有雾的天气情况下,群体雾粒子的散射是影响制导精度的重要因素之一。在Mie理论的基础上,从单个球形粒子的散射效率因子出发,得到了1～6μm群体粒子的散射系数。根据布格尔定律导出了群体粒子对激光束的散射光强表达式,然后在接收器视场角范围内,模拟了散射光强的分布情况。结果表明,沿着激光束的传播方向,散射光强存在比较大的起伏,并且越靠近接收器的视场中轴线,散射光强有减少的趋势。     

Intercomparison of Inversion Algorithms for Particle‐Sizing Using Mie Scattering

The applicability of different inversion algorithms to retrieve a size distribution of particles in air from light scattering is examined. The investigation is focused on an optical measurement setup with an elliptical mirror as the main optical element. In order to evaluate the capabilities of the individual inversion methods, light scattering by spherical particles is simulated in the size ranges of 0.1 – 10 μm and 0.05 – 1 μm. The distribution of the particle diameters is modeled with three different parametric functions, i.e., RRSB, logarithmic‐normal and a more specific distribution from an ultrasonic nebulizer. Different kinds of noise, e.g., additive and/or multiplicative, are applied in different levels to the simulated scattering measurement to include real physical measurement conditions. The convergence properties of the scattering simulation are investigated with respect to the number of size classes, and thus, information concerning the size resolution required to simulate a measurement for a given particle size distribution is obtained. Further parameters of interest are the minimum angular resolution of the measurements, the number of size classes of the retrieved particle size distribution and the measured polarization of the scattered light.     

利用近前向散射图样识别单粒子形状的理论研究

近前向光学散射图样可以用来表征颗粒物的形状.基于球形芽孢杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、类鼻疽伯克氏菌的回转长椭球模型, 采用离散偶极子近似方法, 通过模拟3个不同方位探测器接收的散射光强响应信号, 讨论了非球形生物气溶胶颗粒的形状对前向角分辨光强的影响.结合球形指数反演算法, 在一定取向条件下, 前向5°–20° 内角分辨散射光强具有识别长形颗粒物和非长形颗粒物的能力.该研究可以为颗粒物形态测量仪器设计以及快速检测有害生物气溶胶提供依据.     

用多波长消光法测量大颗粒的尺寸分布

基于Mie光散射理论,提出一种用多波长消光原理(light extinction)测量大颗粒的尺寸分布的方法.理论分析及计算机数值模拟表明,采用可见光波段的多波长消光法可将测粒上限扩展至300μm以上.文中给出了数值模拟结果和对几种大尺寸标准颗粒的实测结果.     

液滴微粒直径分布的激光散射法测量

本文利用氦氖激光器为光源在自行设计的光散射实验装置上对球形微粒群进行了粒径平均直径及直径分布的理论研究和测量.实验结果表明,本实验装置具有测量精度高、适用范围广和测量粒径范围宽等特点.     

散射对煤粉太赫兹光谱定量分析的应用研究

在利用太赫兹光谱系统对煤质进行定量分析的过程中,样品压片内部煤粉颗粒和高密度聚乙烯颗粒之间的空气孔隙使太赫兹波产生散射进而导致所测煤样本征吸收光谱产生误差。针对样品压片中煤粉颗粒和空气孔隙存在形式的不同建立了压片等效结构,采用Foldy-Twersky EFA理论和迭代Waterman-Truell EFA理论在2~3.5 THz频率区间内对压片内部的散射情况进行了数值研究,建立了煤样本征吸收谱提取模型,并利用该模型分别对六种不同粒径范围的煤粉-高密度聚乙烯颗粒混合物压片样品进行了太赫兹域消光光谱的散射校正处理。实验结果表明当煤粉颗粒直径小于38.5 μm时,高密度聚乙烯颗粒间空气孔隙对所测样品消光光谱的影响处于主导地位,当煤粉颗粒粒径处于38.5~55 μm时,煤粉颗粒散射与空气孔隙散射导致的消光在数值上较为接近,随着颗粒直径进一步增加,煤粉自身散射对吸收光谱的影响也逐步增强并处于主导地位。散射校正前后煤样吸收谱的相关系数和均方根误差表明文中所述模型能够有效减小105 μm以下粒径范围内散射对煤粉-高密度聚乙烯混合物压片样品太赫兹吸收光谱的影响,为太赫兹域煤质吸收光谱的定量分析提供了理论基础。     

Sizing Polydisperse Dispersions by Focused Beam Reflectance and Small Angle Static Light Scattering

In this work, two different methods for particle characterization, namely focused beam reflectance and small angle static light scattering, are quantitatively compared. The results are presented in the form of moment ratios of the particle size distribution, i.e., the number weighted diameter, D_1/0, and the volume weighted diameter, D_4/3, for a broad range of particle size distributions ranging from 20 to 400 μm. Various aqueous dispersions including narrow, broad, and bimodal particle size distributions of spherical shaped ceramic beads were used in the comparison. It was found that the moment ratios obtained by focused beam reflectance measurements and small angle static light scattering correlate well, in the case of spherical particles. Furthermore, it was found that the D_1/0 values obtained by focused beam reflectance measurements are more sensitive to the presence of a small fraction of fine particles in a bimodal distribution than those obtained by small angle static light scattering.     

双散射角光学粒子计数器测量气溶胶折射率的新方法研究

根据米氏(Mie)散射理论,通过数值模拟分析了气溶胶折射率虚部n_i在不同散射角度上对双散射角激光光学粒子计数器(L-OPC)响应曲线的影响,定义了敏感函数。根据分析,散射角应该在小于20°和40°～60°之间选取。以散射角系统ψ=9°,β=5°,λ=0．65μm和ψ=50°,β=20°,λ=0．65μm为例,其中一个散射角受折射率虚部n_i的影响较小,另一个较大。在测量粒子谱分布的同时,利用n_i对不同散射角度响应曲线的影响差异,来确定n_i值,并提出确定n_i的方法。还给出了双散射角激光光学粒子计数器的模拟测量结果。     

A Pulsed Field Gradient NMR Technique for the Determination of the Structure of Suspensions of Non-Brownian Particles with Application to Packings of Spheres

The internal structure of systems of particles in a liquid is studied with a novel NMR technique based on the measurement of the squared modulus of the magnetization in presence of a pulsed field gradient. The formalism is analogous to the one used in classical scattering techniques (light, X-rays, neutrons); it allows similar information to be obtained about the structure (in particular, the structure factorS(q)). The main improvement is that the range of particles sizes is 10 μm to 1 mm, as compared with the range of the scattering techniques (<5 μm). The NMR technique was validated by studying packings of spherical particles of mean diameter 240 μm created by sedimentation. The profile of the experimental squared modulus of the magnetization versus the wave vector provides results for the mean size of particles and the compacity. The main feature is that it depends on the pair distribution function, and the present results are in good agreement with a model based on the Percus–Yevick approximation. This technique is then particularly adapted to systems such as non-Brownian suspensions, fluidized beds, porous media, and sediments.     

双峰分布颗粒体系的多角度动态光散射数据反演

采用多角度动态光散射和加权正则化反演方法,对4组模拟的双峰分布颗粒体系(100/600 nm,200/600 nm,300/600 nm和350/600 nm)分别选取1、3、6和10个散射角进行测量.粒度反演结果表明,采用加权正则化方法反演双峰颗粒体系的多角度动态光散射测量数据,可获得峰值位置比小于2∶1且含有大粒径(＞350 nm)颗粒的双峰颗粒粒度分布.采用标准聚苯乙烯乳胶颗粒进行实测的结果验证了这一结论.得到含大粒径颗粒的双峰粒度分布反演结果的原因在于,多角度动态光散射能提供更多的大粒径颗粒的粒度信息,加权正则化反演方法能减少测量数据中的噪声,因而多角度动态光散射测量数据的加权反演能实现峰值位置比小于2∶1且含有大粒径颗粒的双峰颗粒体系的测量.     

群体雾粒子对激光束散射光强的角谱分析

在Mie理论的基础上,从单个球形粒子的散射效率因子出发,得到了1—6μm群体粒子的散射系数。根据布格尔定律导出了群体粒子对激光束的散射光强表达式,在接收器视场角范围内,模拟了散射光强的分布情况,结果表明,沿着激光束的传播方向,散射光强存在比较大的起伏,并且越靠近接收器的视场中轴线,散射光强有减少的趋势。     

Numerical simulation of a triple laser beam particle sizing instrument

The Mississippi State University Particle Sizing Instrument (MSU-PSI) is designed to perform real-time measurement of the particle-size distributions by means of non-intrusive methods. The instrument is based upon the principles of forward scatter of a laser beam by a single particle. Three beams are used to illuminate the particle. The green central beam is used to measure particles in the range of 2–15 μm in diameter. Two crossed blue beams are used to validate the trajectory of particles through the green beam. The size of a particle is determined by the amount of light that it scatters. This scattered light is captured and processed electronically and eventually is converted to a histogram, which, when interpreted, will be a representation of the particle-size distribution. In this paper, the model used to simulate the instrument numerically in the Ripple Validated Small Angle Near Forward Scattering (RVSANFS) mode is explained.     

On-Line Particle Size Analysis Using Ultrasonic Velocity Spectrometry

A new method is described for the determination of particle size distribution of slurries based on ultrasonic velocity spectrometry combined with gamma-ray transmission. This method shares the advantages of ultrasonic attenuation spectroscopy of being capable of analyzing highly concentrated samples without dilution. However the ultrasonic velocity method is better suited to fine particles of diameter from about 0.1 to 30 μm, a greater volume of slurry is analysed and therefore sampling errors are reduced, and precise theoretical models are readily available to permit the accurate determination of size distribution by inversion of ultrasonic velocity measurements. The method can also be used to accurately determine particle size cut points by linear correlation. Using either inversion or correlation methods, the accuracy of particle size information from ultrasonic velocity spectroscopy is significantly enhanced by the independent measurement of solids loading by gamma-ray transmission. In addition, larger sizes can be measured by combining the ultrasonic velocity method with ultrasonic attenuation measurements. The method has been tested in the laboratory on a wide variety of mineral and paint slurries. The method determined the size distribution of single component silica and alumina samples in water in agreement with laser diffraction measurements and the method successfully distinguished well and poorly dispersed TiO₂ suspensions. For composite samples the method discriminated separate TiO₂ and CaCO₃, components and determined their proportions to within 0.25% volume. In addition the method, in combination with ultrasonic attenuation measurements, determined the size fractions of iron ore slurries below 10 and 30 μm to within 1.3% and 1.0% relative respectively, when compared with laser diffraction measurement of particle size. The CSIRO is presently designing an industrial gauge which will be manufactured and installed in an industrial slurry stream in 1997.     

基于后向散射的高浓度纳米颗粒粒度分布测量方法研究

传统的动态光散射法通常采集侧向散射进行纳米颗粒粒度分布的测量,由于多次散射的影响,利用侧向散射不能准确测量高浓度样品的颗粒粒度分布。针对该问题,对后向散射测量方法进行了研究,在实验基础上提出了后向散射最佳光程的判断准则。在不同样品浓度下,用侧向散射和后向散射方法对标称粒径分别为110 nm、220 nm的聚苯乙烯乳胶球颗粒进行了测量。实验结果表明,对于高浓度的待测样品,后向散射测量方法通过自适应调整光程,在最优光程处进行测量,能够有效得到高浓度纳米颗粒的粒径及粒度分布,测量结果相对误差为2.72%。     

Study on the Relationship between Particle Size and Near Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopic Data

Since the particle size distribution is a critical parameter of pharmaceutical excipients used for tablet manufacturing by direct compression, the mean particle size of sieved sorbitol powder was studied by near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIRDRS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the particle size (reciprocally proportional to the bulk density) on the reflectance spectrum. The effects of the particle characteristics on the spectral changes were described on the basis of the Kubelka‐Munk theory taking the scattering into consideration. A smaller particle size fraction was associated with a lower spectral value, and at the characteristic wavelength of 1584 nm a linear relationship was established for the particle size range from 125 to 670 μm. The diffuse reflectance measurement was sensitive to the particle characteristics, which offers a fast, non‐destructive alternative test method that can be applied after detailed calibration.     

Measurement of Size,Number Concentration and Velocity of Aerosol Particles using an optical particle counter

An aerosol measurement instrument is presented which allows for the simultaneous measurement of the size distribution, number concentration and velocities of particles. A commercial optical particle counter (OPC) was modified in terms of optics and signal evaluation to provide the required measurement information. The design of this instrument allows the definition of a cubic measuring volume by purely optical means. This is achieved by an aperture/lens system which projects a sharply defined light beam into a stream of aerosol flow. Light scattered from single particles at average angles of 90° is collected by two opposite receiver units, each projecting light on to a separate photomultiplier. The intensity of the scattered light with this instrument is found to be an unambiguous function of the particle size. The total number of particles detected per unit time results in the particle flux. The particle velocity can be calculated, in principle, through the correlation of the signal length and the optical length of the measuring volume, provided that the particles have a straight trajectory through the measuring volume and the measuring volume length in the mean flow direction is well defined. The absence of sharpness in real optical projections effects a border zone of definite length, in which the illumination declines to zero. This leads, together with the low-pass filtering of the particle signals, to an increase in the length of the signal slopes, causing some difficulties in the determination of the signal length. A digital signal evaluation technique was developed that renders possible the clear differentiation between the slope and the kernel region of the signal. The latter represents the motion of particles through the completely illuminated region, which can be a more accurate parameter to define the signal length. In addition to the signal length determination, a cross-correlation technique was tested for its potential to obtain particle velocity. the instrument has two interlaced measuring volumes of nearly the same size, which are shifted for this special application in the main flow direction by 20 μm. The phase difference between the signals from the two photomultipliers, together with the optical distance, yields the particle velocity.     

Theoretical studies on particle shape classification based on simultaneous small forward angle light scattering and aerodynamic sizing

Particle shape contributes to understanding the physical and chemical processes of the atmosphere and better ascertaining the origins and chemical compositions of the particles. The particle shape can be classified by the aspect ratio,which can be estimated through the asymmetry factor measured with angularly resolved light scattering. An experimental method of obtaining the asymmetry factor based on simultaneous small forward angle light scattering and aerodynamic size measurements is described briefly. The near forward scattering intensity signals of three detectors in the azimuthal angles at 120?offset are calculated using the methods of T-matrix and discrete dipole approximation. Prolate spheroid particles with different aspect ratios are used as the shape models with the assumption that the symmetry axis is parallel to the flow axis and perpendicular to the incident light. The relations between the asymmetry factor and the optical size and aerodynamic size at various equivalent sizes, refractive indices, and mass densities are discussed in this paper. The numerically calculated results indicate that an elongated particle may be classified at diameter larger than 1.0 μm, and may not be distinguished from a sphere at diameter less than 0.5 μm. It is estimated that the lowest detected aspect ratio is around 1.5:1 in consideration of the experimental errors.     

Performance Assessment of Probes Dedicated to the Monitoring of Surface Particle Contamination

Surface probes, based on airflow particle detachment coupled with optical particle counter, are actually available to measure the particle cleanliness of surfaces in cleanroom. No reliable data exits dealing with the performance assessment of these probes in unstuck and counting particles deposited on surfaces. This work presents a method for determining the efficiency of instruments dedicated to particle surface cleanliness measurements. The method is based on the realisation of standard particle deposits by sedimentation and analysis of whole of the contaminated surface by microscopy combined with a micrometric displacement bench. The method is used to assess a trial surface probe with 30 μm and 80 μm glass beads deposited on transparent (glass) or opaque (aluminium) surfaces at concentrations ranging from 1 particle·cm^–2 to 50 particles·cm^–2. The results obtained show that the overall efficiency of the instrument tested is less than 5 %. The detailed analysis of results shows that this low value is mainly due to poor efficiency of sampling and detection of particles in the optical counter. When analysed in terms of particle detachment efficiency, the results agree qualitatively with a force balance analysis taking into account the friction by airflow and the distribution of adhesion forces of glass particles to glass substrates or rough aluminium substrates. Such result shows that airflow based surface probes for particle cleanliness measurements should be systematically qualified for representative conditions of operations whereas analytical microscopy measurements could be considered as reference.