AAAR 35th Annual Conference October 17 - October 21, 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Characterization of Aerodyne Potential Aerosol Mass Oxidative Flow Reactor
CHIRANJIVI BHATTARAI, Vera Samburova, Hans Moosmuller, Andrey Khlystov, Desert Research Institude
Abstract Number: 591 Working Group: Aerosol Chemistry
Abstract Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are formed in the atmosphere by oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The atmospheric oxidation occurs on time scales ranging from minutes to days depending upon the concentration of oxidants and VOCs. It is not feasible to conduct experiments in a laboratory on such a long time scale. One way of studying the atmospheric oxidation process is to use a smog chamber, where VOCs, ozone, and UV irradiation are present to mimic atmospheric conditions. However, smog chambers are fairly large and are limited to measurements for only a few hours due to wall losses. A few years ago, a concept of Potential Aerosol Mass (PAM) reactor has been introduced and successfully applied in numerous laboratory and field studies. A PAM reactor is a cylindrical flow-through reactor with UV lamps installed inside to irradiate sample air. Due to a strong UV irradiation, high concentrations of hydroxyl radicals can be achieved. Thus, within a relatively short residence time in the PAM, oxidation equivalent to hours or days in the atmosphere can be achieved. Recently, Aerodyne Research Inc. has commercialized the PAM concept (Aerodyne PAM Oxidative Flow Reactor). In the present study, we will report laboratory characterization of an Aerodyne PAM, which includes residence time distribution of air inside the chamber, particle losses, hydroxyl radical production, and a comparison of aerosol yields of isoprene with those reported in the literature.