Laboratory and Field Experimental Facilities

Real-time measurement of ultrafine to coarse aerosol number and mass size distributions

Ambicount - A novel real-time particle monitoring system capable of counting particles in the size range of 6 nm to 10 um in various size channels of 6 nm - 360 nm, 360 nm - 500 nm, 500 nm - 1 um, 1 um - 2.5 um, 2.5 um - 10 um. Additionally, PM10/PM2.5 gravimetric mass concentration is measured, and optionally computed mass concentrations in all of the above 5 size fractions are reported. Further, meteorological sensors ( Wind speed, Wind direction, Temperature, RH) can be attached to this system. Internal data logger stores real-time data measured by the system at a resolution of one second and the data can be transferred to a personal computer through RS-232 media. This instrument has been recently developed and demonstration of its excellent performance has been published. For details, please click this link.

CO Analyser - non-dispersive infrared photometer
NOx Analyser - chemiluminescent analyser for measuring concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and total oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
Ozone Analyser - UV absorption analyser.

Measurement and characterisation of fine particulates

Anja and Chiraporn operating MOUDI and GRIMM on roof of Wright building

a) Size differentiated sampling of fine particulate matter

Cascade Impactors
Graseby Andersen type - Eight-stage particle sizing sampler
MOUDI - Eight-stage sampler with rotating stages for uniform particle collection

c) Characterisation of fine particulate matter

AAS, ICP - Chemical (elemental) analysis of fine particulates
DIONEX - Ion chromatography for inorganic species
SEM - Determination of the morphology and chemical (major and minor elements) composition of fine particulate matter

d) Sampling of bio-aerosols

Burkard Spore Trap - Compact unit with built-in vacuum pump, designed to sample airborne particles, such as fungus spores and pollens, continuously for periods of up to seven days without attention.

Personal sampling of gaseous pollutants

Passive Diffusion Tubes - Passive samplers for NO2 to measure personal exposure

VOC analysis

ATD 400 and GC-Autosystem - Perkin-Elmer Automatic Thermal Desorption (ATD) and GC system for VOC analysis using adsorbent tubes.

Meteorological Measurements

Ultrasonic Anemometer - Gill Windmaster ultrasonic anemometer provides wind velocity and wind vector direction.

Wind anemometer by A1(M) roadside at UH campus