Abstract
Background: Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) are compact aerosol collectors, however, efficient reliable recovery of aerosol from the collector surface is critical for their wider adoption. This research characterizes the recovery of collected aerosol particles from hydrophobic surfaces using low-volume droplets. Methods: Fluorescent particles of 1 µm to 4.8 µm were nebulised over a wide range of concentrations. An ESP was used to collect the aerosols onto a hydrophobic coated microscope slide. The recovery of the solids was achieved using 9 ul droplets of DI water containing 0.01 % Tween-80. An automated device was developed to move the droplets across the microscope slide in a repeatable and precise manner. The recovery efficiency was determined by microscopy particle counts before and after recovery. Results: A recovery efficiency of 97 % was achieved for a particle concentration on a plate of 100 count/mm2. The recovery efficiency remained high up to a plate concentration of 723 count/mm2. However, concentrations of particles where it nearly covered the entire plate resulted in the inability to actuate the droplet. The difficulty was due to the change in surface characteristics since a pre-loaded droplet of particles (1.2x108 count/ml) showed no change in contact angle and its actuation across the plate resulted in no loss of particles. The recovery efficiency remained high at all tested particle sizes. Conclusion: Droplet-based recovery of aerosol particles demonstrated high efficiency across all tested particle concentrations and sizes, suggesting that this may be a useful technique for a wide range of aerosol monitoring applications.
| Original language | English |
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| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jun 2024 |
| Event | Aerosols and Microbiology: Connecting Disciplines in the Post-Pandemic Era - Wessex Suite and Ballroom| Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, Bristol, United Kingdom Duration: 4 Jun 2024 → 6 Jun 2024 https://microbiologysociety.org/event/society-events-and-meetings/aerosols-and-microbiology.html |
Conference
| Conference | Aerosols and Microbiology: Connecting Disciplines in the Post-Pandemic Era |
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| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Bristol |
| Period | 4/06/24 → 6/06/24 |
| Other | Aerosols and microbiology combined sharply during recent pandemics integrating the interfaces of microbiology, aerobiology, atmospheric sciences and aerosol science. The conference seeks to bring multiple disciplines together into one space, at the same time, supporting new collaboration across industry, academia within the UK and abroad setting the aerobiology scene for the future. The conference spans all aspects of aeromicrobiology to connect public health, agriculture, veterinary and biodefence scientists. Key topics explore characterisation of bioaerosol source, aerosol transport and transmission, detection, control and mitigations (both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical). Promotion of aerobiological standards provides researchers in the field with background knowledge on the microorganisms, and importantly the impact of physical and chemical aspects of aerosol behaviour. |
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