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Aerosol Collection Apparatus and Methods

a technology of aerosol and collection apparatus, which is applied in the direction of nanoparticle analysis, cleaning using liquids, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of inability to detect bioaerosols, particulates toxins or other aerosol particles of interest, and the inability to adhere to sample materials for many kinds of analyses, so as to prevent particle build-up, remove stubborn deposits, and restore optimal efficiency

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-02-21
ENERTECHNIX
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a method and apparatus for collecting and detecting aerosol particles using microfluidic-scale impactor surfaces and eluting them with small droplets of fluid. This allows for high concentration factors and increased sensitivity and robustness in detection. The invention also addresses the problem of collecting aerosol particles from large volumes of air in very small particle traps and eluting them with small droplets of fluid. Surprisingly, periodic application of acoustic energy may also be used preventatively to prevent fouling over an extended lifetime of use. The apparatus can be cycled through dry cleaning, wet cleaning, and wet sampling modes semi-continuously or triggered only in response to a signal. The invention also incorporates a sensor and control circuitry to trigger cleaning based on operating parameters and to maintain or restore optimal efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

However, unless first eluted from the impactor surface, these adherent sample materials are not generally accessible for many kinds of analyses.
Inability to elute the sample material in a liquid volume can result in failure to detect a bioaerosol, particulate toxin or other aerosol particle of interest.

Method used

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  • Aerosol Collection Apparatus and Methods
  • Aerosol Collection Apparatus and Methods
  • Aerosol Collection Apparatus and Methods

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

Dry Acoustic Cleaning of an Aerosol Concentrator

[0355]An aerosol concentrator with ADL and skimmer of the type shown in co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,095 was set up with flowing air and instrumented to monitor backpressure. ASHRAE dust was then introduced into the feed and backpressure was monitored. After a suitable interval, backpressure in the major and minor flow channels had substantially increased. The skimmer assembly was then subjected to acoustic energy using a piezoelectric horn contacted to the body of the skimmer. Backpressure immediately returned to pre-fouling levels. As shown in the table below, backpressure in the major flow channels was seen to rise from 5.5 to 12 inches H2O with increased narrowing due to accumulation of ASHRAE dust in the channels. Upon application of ultrasound to the body of the assembly, backpressure immediately returned to baseline. Similarly, in the minor flow channel, backpressure rose from 0.3 to 1.8 inches H2O, but returned to 0.3 inches...

example 2

Prophylaxis

[0356]In a second example, prophylactic treatment was demonstrated. Using the setup of Example 1, ASHRAE dust was again introduced into an aerosol concentrator. A flow split of 40:1 was used; with 10 Lpm flow rate in the chimneys and 0.25 Lpm in the collector channel. Rather than permit fouling to occur, ultrasound (33 KHz, 50 W) was applied for 1 second at 2 minute intervals. Backpressure was again monitored.

[0357]After 30 minutes, no increase in backpressure was noted in any of the channels of the device. Contrastingly, backpressure had noticeably increased under control conditions without ultrasonic prophylaxis of fouling. Visual inspection confirmed that particle deposits were prevented by periodic ultrasonic treatments.

Backpressure, Backpressure, Major FlowMinor FlowChannels Channel Experimental(inches H20)(inches H20)Intermittent US30Treatment over 30 minNegative Control30.3

[0358]The reduced duty cycle (1 sec ON at 2 min intervals) reduced energy consumed in the ult...

example 3

Timecourse for Fouling Under Heavy Loading

[0360]Using the setup described in the examples above, the data of FIG. 34 was obtained by monitoring backpressure over a thirty minute interval. Backpressure is reported as percent over baseline. Backpressure in the chimney of the untreated channel continued after ten minutes but increases are not shown because the pressure gauge had reached its maximum reading.

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PUM

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Abstract

The lifetime of aerosol monitoring, concentration and collection equipment is extended by acoustic cleaning of accreted particle deposits from internal surfaces where fouling occurs by application of acoustic energy to the particle accretion surface, optionally in combination with a liquid wash or sampling volume. In one application, acoustic cleaning or sampling of particle deposits for analysis is triggered by a signal indicating changes in gas flow associated with particle loading. In another application, electro-acoustic transducers may be used to prevent particle buildup without interruption of particle monitoring.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 099,295, filed 2 May 2011, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 364,672 filed 3 Feb. 2009, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(e) to Provisional Pat. Appl. No. 61 / 026,376 filed on 5 Feb. 2008, said patent documents being incorporated herein in entirety for all purposes by reference.GOVERNMENT SUPPORT[0002]The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Grant No. NBCHC060109 awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, and Grant No. 1R43ES016390-01 awarded by the National Institutes of Health.BACKGROUND[0003]Aerosols from natural, anthropogenic and industrial sources have long been recognized as a potential threat to human health; to that list of sources we now must add airborne chemical or biological warfare agents as a source of potentially lethal exposure or terrorist threat. Effective sampling and col...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F17D1/00B08B9/027
CPCB08B3/12B08B7/026G01N1/2202G01N1/2208G01N1/2211G01N15/0266G01N2015/0261G01N2001/2223G01N2001/383G01N2015/0038G01N2015/0088G01N2015/0096G01N15/0606B03C3/017B03C3/08B03C3/12B03C3/41B03C3/47B03C2201/04Y10T137/8376G01N2015/019
Inventor ARIESSOHN, PETER CNOVESSELOV, IGOR VENGLER, EVAN D
Owner ENERTECHNIX
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