A High-throughput, Robotic System for Analysis of Aerosol Sampling Filters

Autor:	Christian L'Orange, Ellison Carter, Gabe Neymark, John Volckens
Rok vydání:	2021
Předmět:	business.industry Airlift Digital imaging Pollution Aerosol Filter (video) Control system Data logger Environmental Chemistry Environmental science Process engineering business Robotic arm Air quality index
Zdroj:	Aerosol and Air Quality Research. 21:210037
ISSN:	2071-1409 1680-8584
DOI:	10.4209/aaqr.210037
Popis:	The determination of accumulated mass on filter-based aerosol samples is the basis for many forms of scientific research and regulatory monitoring of air quality. However, gravimetric analysis of air sampling filters is tedious, time-intensive, and prone to human error. This work describes the development of an Automated Air Analysis Facility (AIRLIFT) for high-throughput gravimetric mass and optical black carbon measurements of filter-based aerosol samples. The AIRLIFT consists of a sealed environmental enclosure, a 6-axis articulating robotic arm, a programmable control system, a filter weighing apparatus, and an optical system for the determination of aerosol black carbon via light attenuation. The system actively monitors microbalance stability and chamber relative humidity. Digital imaging and QR code scanning support sample tracking and data logging. Performance metrics for temperature and humidity control and weight stability were found to meet or exceed minimum requirements set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The AIRLIFT is capable of analyzing approximately 260 filters per day while reducing the required personnel time by a factor of ~4.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::2e46752c19e4d3cc7f8ba1069dcd2b37 https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210037 Zobrazit plný text záznamu