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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Experimental Report: Multi-Instrument Comparison of AAF Condensation Particle Counters

Condensation particle counters (CPCs), also known as condensation nucleus counters (CNCs) are sophisticated instruments designed to measure the concentration of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. These devices are pivotal in environmental monitoring, industrial applications, and scientific research, particularly in atmospheric studies. CPCs are vital for understanding the role of aerosols in climate systems. Aerosols influence cloud formation, radiative forcing, and atmospheric chemistry. By providing accurate measurements of particle concentrations and distributions, CPCs contribute to models that predict atmospheric impact and weather patterns (Mei et al. 2021). CPCs operate by enlarging submicron particles, including those as small as a few nanometers, to sizes detectable by optical methods. This report delves into the mechanisms, importance, and contributions of CPCs to atmospheric research at the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Aerial Facility (AAF), highlighting their role in advancing air quality assessment, pollution control, and atmospheric studies.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) Water-based Condensation Particle Counter

The condensation particle counter (CPC) measures sub-micron aerosol particle number concentration by condensing fluid onto particles and causing them to grow to sizes that are easily detectable by optical scattering. The condensing liquid is typically an alcohol (e.g., butanol) or water. Depending on the CPC type, typical CPC instruments can count particles with sizes that range from 3 to 3000 nanometers (ultrafine CPC) or from 10 to 3000 nanometers (fine CPC).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) - Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Fine Condensation Particle Counter via CVI Inlet, Quality Controlled

The Fine Condensation Particle Counter (or CPCF) measures sub-micron aerosol particle number concentration by condensing fluid onto particles and causing them to grow to sizes that are easily detectable by optical scattering. Counts particles with sizes that range from 10 to 3000 nanometers. Quality controlled and merged with AAF Nav data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Detection near 1-nm with a laminar-flow, water-based condensation particle counter

Presented is a laminar-flow, water-based condensation particle counter capable of particle detection near 1 nm. This instrument employs a three-stage, laminar-flow growth tube with a “moderator” stage that reduces the temperature and water content of the output flow without reducing the peak supersaturation, and makes feasible operation at the large temperature differences necessary for achieving high supersaturations. The instrument has an aerosol flow of 0.3 L/min, and does not use a filtered sheath flow. It is referred to as a “versatile” water condensation particle counter, or vWCPC, as operating temperatures can be adjusted in accordance with the cut-point desired. When operated with wall temperatures of ~2°C, >90°C, and ~22°C for the three stages, respectively, the vWCPC detects particles generated from a heated nichrome wire with a 50% efficiency cut-point near 1.6 nm mobility diameter. At these operating temperatures, it also detects 10–20% of large molecular ions formed from passing filtered ambient air through a bipolar ion source. Decreasing the temperature difference between the first two stages, with the first and second stages operated at 10 and 90°C, respectively, essentially eliminates the response to charger ions, and raises the 50% efficiency cut-point for the nichrome wire particles to 1.9 nm mobility diameter. Here, the time response, as measured by rapid removal of an inlet filter, yields a characteristic time constant of 195 ms.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Modification of laminar flow ultrafine condensation particle counters for the enhanced detection of 1 nm condensation nuclei

This paper describes simple modifications to thermally diffusive laminar flow ultrafine condensation particle counters (UCPCs) that allow detection of {approx}1 nm condensation nuclei with much higher efficiencies than have been previously reported. These nondestructive modifications were applied to a commercial butanol based UCPC (TSI 3025A) and to a diethylene glycol-based UCPC (UMN DEG-UCPC). Size and charge dependent detection efficiencies using the modified UCPCs (BNL 3025A and BNL DEGUCPC) were measured with high resolution mobility classified aerosols composed of NaCl, W, molecular ion standards of tetraalkyl ammonium bromide, and neutralizer-generated ions. With negatively charged NaCl aerosol, the BNL 3025A and BNL DEGUCPC achieved detection efficiencies of 37% (90x increase over TSI 3025A) at 1.68 nm mobility diameter (1.39 nm geometric diameter) and 23% (8x increase over UMN DEG-UCPC) at 1.19 nm mobility diameter (0.89 nm geometric diameter), respectively. Operating conditions for both UCPCs were identified that allowed negatively charged NaCl and W particles, but not negative ions of exactly the same mobility size, to be efficiently detected. This serendipitous material dependence, which is not fundamentally understood, suggests that vapor condensation might sometimes allow for the discrimination between air 'ions' and charged 'particles.' As a detector in a scanning mobility particle spectrometer (SMPS), a UCPC with this strong material dependence would allow for more accurate measurements of sub-2 nm aerosol size distributions due to the reduced interference from neutralizer-generated ions and atmospheric ions, and provide increased sensitivity for the determination of nucleation rates and initial particle growth rates.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter Instrument Handbook

The Model 3776 Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (UCPC; pictured in Appendix A) is designed for researchers interested in airborne particles smaller than 20 nm. With sensitivity to particles down to 2.5 nm in diameter, this UCPC is ideally suited for atmospheric and climate research, particle formation and growth studies, combustion and engine exhaust research, and nanotechnology research.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗