Air Quality Assurance: A Monitor for Continuous, Simultaneous Analysis of Atmospheric or Aerosolized Particulate Mixtures

This technology pertains to monitors for measuring the mass concentration of ambient particulate matter in an atmosphere containing both larger/coarser (e.g., respirable dust) and smaller/finer (sub-micrometer particles such as diesel particulate matter - DPM) particulate mixtures. The monitoring device can be configured for operation with a controller unit adapted to ionization sensor and/or light-scattering modules. The controller translates the sensor output signal into a quantifiable value, determining mass concentration of particulate matter within the ionization chamber. For example, practical applications of this monitor/analysis technology would easily extend to use in mining operations (where both DPM and respirable dust exist in abundance), industrial manufacturing facilities, and anywhere that frequent or extended exposure to fuel-combustion exhaust or airborne pollution is a concern. Further, by virtue of its ability to distinguish “fire smoke” from other aerosols that may be present, the device also has significant potential for use in early-warning fire detection.