Analysis of Aerosols

Particle-into-Liquid Sampler – Ion Chromatography PILS – IC





The Particle-into-Liquid Sampler: a simple solution for the determination of ions in aerosols The combustion of fossil fuels for energy production pol-ronment. The Particle-into-Liquid Sampler, or PILS1 for 02

lutes the environment with large quantities of harmful short, samples aerosol particles from an airstream and substances in the form of gases or aerosols. These emis-transfers them to the aqueous phase. Subsequently, they sions cause damage, not only at their source, but also are analyzed by ion chromatography. In order to analyze far away from it. The chemical and physical properties the complete gazeous phase we recommend a MARGA2-of the emissions from anthropogenic as well as natural system as produced by Applikon Analytical.

sources are highly relevant to the climate and the envi-Cyclone or

impactor (PMx)

Aqueous

Water-soluble aerosol

Aerosol

solution

components

Continuous stream

through sample loop of

an ion chromatograph

Analysis

osol components

Aer

Time

Flow diagram for Particle-into-Liquid Sampler (PILS) Mode of operation

PILS puts aerosols into a supersaturated water vapor The size of the aerosol particles to be determined is lim-phase, where they quickly grow into droplets. These ited by a cyclone or an impactor at the intake. This makes droplets are separated on the basis of their inertia and it possible, for example, to analyze particles smaller than pumped on with a carrier fl uid, which contains an inter-1 μm, 2.5 μm, or 10 μm (PM , PM , PM ), depending 1

2.5

10

nal standard to allow simple quantifi cation. Air bubbles on requirements. To prevent interferences, the gases are that are present are removed in a so-called debubbler, absorbed by denuder systems. A vacuum pump produces and the aqueous phase is transferred to an ion chroma-an airstream in the system with a fl ow rate of 1 m³/h.

tograph for analysis.

The time resolution for the determination of aerosols that can be achieved with this simple technique is far superior to that possible with fi lter samples.

1 PILS is a coproduction of Applikon Analytical B. V. and Metrohm AG.

2 Monitor for Aerosols & Gases in ambient Air.



Advantages of PILS at a glance

• Determination of ions in aerosols with high temporal resolution

• Simple interfacing to an ion chromatography system

• High sampling rate

03

• Diurnal variation analysis with high time resolution

• Direct on-site sample analysis

• Contamination-free aerosol collection technique (Particles PM , PM , PM ) 1

2.5

10

• No sample storage required

• No sample preparation required Application areas

PILS can be directly coupled with various analysis tech-Application areas for PILS – IC: niques. With ion chromatography, water-soluble anions

• Monitoring of pollutants inside buildings and cations can be determined simultaneously. PILS can

• Emission control at the workplace for worker protection also be used for offl ine sampling with an autosampler.

• Monitoring of outside air Other examples are the determination of total organic

• Measurements of tunnel air carbon (TOC Analyzer) or coupling with ICP techniques.

• Determination of stack emissions

• mobile use for example on aircraft 2.8

765.5

2.6

766.0

2.4

Lithium; 80.0 µg/L

2.2

Bromide; 920.0 µg/L

766.5

2.0

767.0

1.8

1.6

767.5

Nitrate; 295.2 µg/L

Conductivity [µS/cm]

Ammonium; 91.1 µg/L

Conductivity [µS/cm]

1.4

768.0

1.2

Chloride; 11.0 µg/L

Nitrite; 2.5 µg/L

Sodium; 6.2 µg/L

Sulfate; 31.5 µg/L

Potassium; 11.4 µg/L

768.5

Calcium; 7.0 µg/L

1.0

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

0

1

2

3

4

5

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9

10

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13

14

15

Time [min]

Time [min]

Anion and cation chromatogram for an outside air determination of aerosol particles smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5). Lithium bromide was used as an internal standard.

Please contact your Metrohm representative for any questions concerning your application.



Ordering information

04

Metrohm instruments

Further application-specifi c equipment PILS

For sample delivery it is possible to use a vacuum pump 2.136.0400

Particle-into-Liquid Sampler ADI 2081

with a drying system made by KNF (vacuum pump 2.136.0500

Peristaltic pump, 8 channels with N840.3ft.40p). The gas phase is separated with denuder 6

rollers

systems (e.g., Multi Channel Annular Denuders made by 6.5335.000

Liquid Handling Set for PILS

URG, model no. URG-2000-30x242-4CSS). Intake systems such as the cyclones made by URG (e.g., PM 2.5

IC

URG, model no. URG-2000-30EH) allow aerosols to be 2.850.3030

850 Professional IC AnCat – MCS

differentiated by particle size.

6.6059.112 MagIC

NetTM 1.1 Professional

6.1825.290 250-μL sample loop made of PEEK

Columns

6.1006.510

Metrosep A Supp 5 – 100

6.1006.500

Metrosep A SUPP 4/5 Guard

6.1050.410

Metrosep C 4 – 100

6.1050.500

Metrosep C 4 Guard

www.metrohm.com

witzerland

G, CH-9101 Herisau, S

ohm A

, printed by Metr

SW

Subject to change

Layout by Ecknauer+Schoch A 8.108.5006EN – 2009-05