Design of an exposure chamber to test samplers used in the evaluation of personal exposure to nanoparticles

4th International Conference on Safe Production and Use of Nanomaterials

Amin, R.^1 ; Izadi, H.^1 ; Quémerais, B.^1

Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, 107 University Campus NW, Edmonton

AB

T6G 2S2, Canada^1

关键词: Aluminium honeycomb;    Cellulose nano-crystals;    Cylindrical containers;    Exposure chambers;    Generation systems;    Particle charge;    Personal exposures;    Ultrafine particle counters;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/617/1/012012/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/617/1/012012

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this study was to design a laboratory size exposure chamber for the testing of samplers used to collect personal exposure samples for nanoparticles. A polyethylene cylindrical container with a diameter of 42 cm and height of 60 cm was used as the testing chamber. The chamber was divided into 2 parts by an aluminium honey comb. Particles generated using a 1 jet Collison nebulizer (BGI) operating at a flow rate of 4L/min were inserted into the chamber via a tube located near to the top of the chamber. A heater was inserted just after the nebulizer to avoid condensation of water in the tubing, and dilution air, running at 10L/min was inserted just after the heater. As particle charge can dramatically affect sampling a particle neutralizer was attached to the generation system so as to neutralize the particles before they enter the chamber. A diffusion dryer was used to remove any water from the air stream prior to enter the chamber. A fan was used to mix and distribute the generated particles. After generation and mixing, the particles passed through the aluminium honeycomb which is essential to eliminate any turbulent or unwanted air flow. Six sampling ports along with a pressure gauge were placed on the walls 15 cm from the bottom of the chamber. The pressure gauge was added to ensure the desired pressure is achieved during sampling. The sampling ports allowed for the connection of five samplers and sampling pumps as well as the connection of an ultrafine particle counter. The exposure chamber was developed to assess various samplers for carbon nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals. Results showed that the chamber was working properly and that mixing was sufficiently uniform to test samplers.