Aerodyne Research, Inc.
 Aerosol Mass Spectrometer
 
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The Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) is the only currently available instrument capable of providing quantitative size and chemical mass loading information in real-time for non-refractory sub-micron aerosol particles.  The AMS couples size-resolved particle sampling and mass spectrometric techniques into a single real-time measurement system.  The Aerodyne AMS has been deployed world-wide at fixed sites, and on mobile laboratory, ship and aircraft platforms.  Close to 80 instruments are in use in industrial, academic and government laboratories.

APPLICATIONS:

  • Measurement of ambient atmospheric aerosol mass loadings and size distributions for environmental monitoring.
  • Emissions characterization of combustion sources.  Direct determination of OC emissions indices with simultaneous measurement of plume CO2.
  • Eddy correlation flux measurements of aerosol sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and organic species dry deposition fluxes.
  • High time-resolution mapping of fine aerosol properties from affordable mobile (van, small aircraft) platforms.
  • Diagnostic for laboratory aerosol sources, flow reactors or aerosol chambers for aerosol physics and chemistry experiments. 
  • Analysis of chemical composition as a function of particle size for aerosol delivery systems such as metered dose inhalers.  High time-resolution allows measurements on a puff-by-puff basis, eliminating need for time-consuming impactor analyses.
  • Single particle chemical analysis with light scattering module and time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

ADVANTAGES:  

  • Mass spectrometric detection combined with particle time-of-flight provides information on particle aerodynamic diameter and aerosol composition in a single measurement.
  • Quantitative chemical analysis by thermal vaporization and electron impact ionization mass spectrometry.  Particle vaporization temperature adjustable from 200 C to 900 C.  Laser-induced incandescence vaporization of black carbon under development.
  • Real-time, quantitative size resolved aerosol mass measurement for non-refractory fine particulate matter (40 nm to ~1 µm).  New inlets to transmit smaller and larger particle size ranges under development.
  • Direct sampling of ambient aerosols; no filters or off-line chemical analysis necessary.
  • Fast measurement (1 – 10 sec) of particle size distributions and non-refractory chemical composition.  Maximum data collection rate of 100 Hz.

 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS:

INSTRUMENT VERSIONS

Three versions of the Aerodyne AMS are available.  The Quadrupole AMS (Q-AMS) uses a quadrupole mass spectrometer and allows measurements of the mass spectrum (1-300 m/z) of the particle ensemble, and measurements of the particle size distribution at selected m/z values.  The Compact Time-of-Flight AMS (C-ToF-AMS) incorporates a high-performance, compact time-of-flight mass spectrometer and enables continuous monitoring of the mass spectra (1-800 m/z) of all sampled particles at rates as fast as 80 kHz.  The detection limit for the C-ToF-AMS is the lowest among the three versions.  The High-Resolution ToF AMS (HR-ToF-AMS) also enables continuous acquisition of complete mass spectra of individual particles, and enables the resolution of distinct chemical species based on mass defect.  Algorithms are being developed which allow elemental analysis of HR-ToF-AMS data.  The properties of the three versions are summarized in the following table.

  Detection Limit* Mass Resolving Mass Range
  (mg/m3) Power (m/Dm) (m/z)
Q-AMS 0.01 300 1-300
C-ToF-AMS 0.002 800 1-800
HR-ToF-AMS (V-mode) 0.003 2000 1-1200
HR-ToF-AMS (W-mode) 0.05 4000 1-1200

* Detection limits depend on chemical species.  Typical values for nitrate are listed.

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Size:  Approximately 41"W x 24"D x 53"H.

  • Weight:  Approximately 170 kg.

  • Power:  Approximately 600 Watts.  Universal power 110VAC/60Hz or 220VAC/50Hz.  Vacuum system fully operational on 24 VDC.

  • Computer:  Current systems are shipped with rack a mounted computer, PIII 3GHz, Intel CoreTM 2 Duo Processor, 512M SDRAM, 160G hard drive, CD-RW, floppy, 10/100 Ethernet port, 8 USB ports, 1 serial port. Flat screen monitor 15” XGA.

  • Packaging:  Shipped in one reusable container.  Total shipping weight ~280 kg.

For more information, see the AMS product description.

For detailed information on operating the AMS, see the AMS Users Manual.

For examples of typical data collected with each of the AMS versions, see the data summary.

AMS OPTIONS

Light Scattering Module provides additional information for larger particles (>200nm), particularly for large refractory (dust) particles with low non-refractory coatings. Light scattering analysis also can provide information on particle density and distinguish internal/external mixtures.

 Negative Ion Detection Option for ToF-AMS (via electron attachment) selectively detects stable anion species, such as sulfate, nitrate and carboxylic acids. Sensitivity is 1000 lower than electron impact (EI). Switchable with standard EI.

 Relative Humidity/Temperature/Pressure probes allow the user to measure ambient relative humidity, temperature and pressure at sampling inlet, with all measurements fully integrated into the data acquisition system.

Beam Width Probe allows measurement of particle shape by measuring the divergence of the particle beam.

Service/Support Contract (3 years) includes spare parts (extra filaments and electron multiplier) and up to two weeks of on-site support.  Parts and support are interchangeable, as needed, based on advance payment of fee.  Parts will usually be shipped overnight.

For more information about this product, pricing or associated R&D service contact:

Dr. Douglas R. Worsnop
Vice President
 Director, Center for Aerosol and Cloud Chemistry
Phone: 978-663-9500, ext. 225
Fax: 978-663-4918
e-mail: worsnop@aerodyne.com

 

Mrs. Cameron Martin
Executive Assistant, Marketing Director
Center for Aerosol and Cloud Chemistry
Phone: 978-663-9500
Fax: 978-663-4918
e-mail: cmartin@aerodyne.com

 

Dr. John Jayne
Co-Director, Center for Aerosol and Cloud Chemistry
Phone: 978-663-9500, ext. 233
Fax: 978-663-4918
e-mail: jayne@aerodyne.com
Distributor in Japan:

Dr. Akio Shimono
Director, Equipment Div.
Sanyu Plant Service Co., Ltd.
1-8-21 Hashimotodai, Sagamihara-shi
Kanagawa-ken 229-1132, Japan
Tel: +81-427-73-3611
Fax: +81-427-74-1294
E-mail: A.Shimono@g-sanyu.co.jp

 Distributor in India:

Dr. Vinod Pandey
MARS Bioanalytical
201-203 Second Floor, Atlantic Plaza
DDA LSC, Opp Samachar Apartments
Mayur Vihar Phase-1, Delhi, 91
Tel: +91-11-22748178
Fax: +91-11-22713516
E-mail: Vinod.Pandey@marsbioanalytical.com

 Distributor in Korea:

Dr. Hoon Yoon
APM Engineering Co. Ltd.
202-808 Bucheon Techno-Park
192 Yakdae-Dong, Wonmi-Ku
Bucheon City, Kyunqgi-Do, Korea 420-733
Tel: +28-32-219-7700
E-mail: apm@apm.co.kr

 

References: 

List of Selected AMS Publications

Jayne, J.T., D.C. Leard, X. Zhang, P. Davidovits, K.A. Smith, C.E. Kolb, and D.R. Worsnop, Development of an aerosol mass spectrometer for size and composition analysis of submicron particles, Aerosol Sci. Technol., 33, 49-70, 2000.

Jimenez, J.L., J.T. Jayne, Q. Shi, C.E. Kolb, D.R. Worsnop, I. Yourshaw, J.H. Seinfeld, R.C. Flagan, X. Zhang, K.A. Smith, J. Morris, and P. Davidovits, Ambient Aerosol Sampling with an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer. J. Geophys. Res. - Atmospheres, 108(D7), 8425, doi:10.1029/2001JD001213, 2003.

Drewnick, F., S.S. Hings, P.F. DeCarlo, J.T. Jayne, M. Gonin, K. Fuhrer, S. Weimer, J.L. Jimenez, K.L. Demerjian, S. Borrmann, D.R. Worsnop. A new Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (ToF-AMS) – Instrument Description and First Field Deployment. Aer. Sci. Technol., 39:637–658, 2005.

DeCarlo, P.F., J.R. Kimmel, A. Trimborn, M.J. Northway, J.T. Jayne, A.C. Aiken, M. Gonin, K. Fuhrer, T. Horvath, K. Docherty, D.R. Worsnop, and J.L. Jiménez, A Field-Deployable High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, Analytical Chemistry, 78, 8281-8289, 2006.

Canagaratna, M.R., J.T. Jayne, J.L. Jiménez, J.D. Allan, M.R. Alfarra, Q. Zhang, T.B. Onasch, F. Drewnick, H. Coe, A. Middlebrook, A. Delia, L.R. Williams, A.M. Trimborn, M.J. Northway, P.F. DeCarlo, C.E. Kolb, P. Davidovits, and D.R. Worsnop, Chemical and Microphysical Characterization of Ambient Aerosols with the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, Mass Spectrometry Reviews, 26, 185-222, 2007.

 A complete list of publications related to the AMS and electronic files are available at:  http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez/ams-papers.html.

  

Aerodyne Research, Inc.  45 Manning Road Billerica, MA  01821-3976  978 663-9500