AAAR 37th Annual Conference October 14 - October 18, 2019 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Insights on Particulate Matter Formation and Evolution during a 3D Printer Operation
SAMEER PATEL, Sumit Sankhyan, Marina Vance, University of Colorado Boulder
Abstract Number: 541 Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract Owing to a range of factors such as advancement in technology and increased affordability, three dimensional (3D) printers are gaining attention as a consumer product. Depending on the model and operating conditions, these 3D printers can lead to high exposure levels of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Research efforts have been gaining impetus to add to our nascent and, therefore, limited understanding of the characteristics, interaction with surroundings, and health effects of 3D printer emissions. Another sparsely explored topic is the fundamental aerosol dynamics underlying particulate matter formation and growth during 3D printer operation which is limited by instrumentation capability to measure the lower end of the particle size distribution.
We characterized particle size distributions, optically absorbing particulate matter (PM), and total non-methane hydrocarbon emissions from a 3D printer in a chamber using a 1-nm SMPS, five wavelength aethalometer, and a flame-ionization detector, respectively. Effects of filament type on PM characteristics, emission rates, and emission factors were established. A numerical model for particle formation (via nucleation) and growth was applied to the experimental data for the estimation of the physical parameters of the semi-volatile emissions from different types of filaments. Numerical analyses to investigate links between the measured total hydrocarbons and PM was also conducted. Lastly, model results were used to estimate PM levels and resultant exposure when the same 3D printer is used in built environments with varying physical and ventilation characteristics.