Abstract View
Particle Measurement on Mobile Platforms: Considerations in Using Reference-Grade Monitors, Low-Cost Particle Sensors, and Particle Trajectory Modeling
WILTON MUI, Berj Der Boghossian, Ashley Collier-Oxandale, Steven Boddeker, Jason Low, Vasileios Papapostolou, Andrea Polidori, South Coast Air Quality Management District
Abstract Number: 456
Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods
Abstract
Mobile air monitoring is gaining popularity as a technique for collecting ambient air pollution data at high spatiotemporal resolution, with potential savings in capital and labor through the reduction of the number of air monitoring instruments, compared to stationary air monitor deployment. Even more substantial cost reductions can be realized if low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors are employed instead. However, obtaining a representative air sample can prove challenging in a non-stationary deployment scenario; the use of low-cost PM sensors can introduce additional challenges since the data quality can be further degraded in a mobile deployment. The Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC) at the South Coast Air Quality Management District is advancing the field of knowledge surrounding the use of reference-grade monitors and low-cost PM sensors on mobile platforms. Through successive iterations of monitoring vehicles, AQ-SPEC has practical experience to share regarding various aspects of design, planning, and development of mobile platforms. In addition, AQ-SPEC has published the first-ever mobile testing protocol for low-cost sensors, which tests the performance of sensors in three broad deployment scenarios: 1) within a controlled-flow sampling duct, 2) within a partially-controlled rooftop enclosure, and 3) completely exposed on the vehicle rooftop. Through pilot-testing this protocol with a PM sensor (PurpleAir PA-II), performance issues were revealed that would otherwise not be revealed from stationary testing. Finally, AQ-SPEC is utilizing advanced methods to improve particle sampling on its newest-generation mobile platform, such as computational fluid dynamics and particle trajectory simulations using free and open-source tools to allow for maximum accessibility.