An asymptotic analysis of differential electrical mobility classifiers

Abstract

An asymptotic analysis of balanced flow operations of differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) and a new class of instruments that includes opposed migration aerosol classifiers (OMACs) and inclined grid mobility analyzers (IGMAs) provides new insights into the similarities and differences between the devices. The characteristic scalings of different instruments found from minimal models are shown to relate the resolving powers, dynamic ranges, and efficiencies of most such devices. The resolving powers of all of the instruments in the nondiffusive regime of high voltage classifications, [image omitted], is determined by the ratio of the flow rate of the separation gas (sheath or crossflow) to that of the aerosol. At low voltage, when diffusion degrades the classification, the OMAC and the IGMA share an [image omitted] factor advantage in dynamic range of mobilities over the DMA, although the OMAC also suffers greater losses because diffusion immediately deposits particles onto its porous electrodes. On the basis of this analysis, a single master operating diagram is proposed for DMAs, OMACs, and IGMAs. Analysis of this operating diagram and its consequences for the design of differential electrical mobility classifiers suggests that OMACs and IGMAs also have advantages over DMAs in design flexibility and miniaturization. Most importantly, OMACs and IGMAs may outperform DMAs for the currently difficult classification of particles with diameters less than 10 nm. On the other hand, DMAs are more amenable to voltage scanning-mode operation to enable accelerated size distribution measurements, whereas it is most convenient to operate OMACs and IGMAs in voltage stepping-mode operation. Copyright © American Association for Aerosol Research.