Intercomparison of TSI aerosol monitors

Results

Time series

• all instruments measure PM concentration with similar temporal patterns but magnitudes are different;
• MCERTS always reports lower values;
• quite low intra-channel variance for 8533’s (especially 8533_402);
• during indoor test night-time concentration is nearly constant but different according to each instrument (role of auto-zeroing in MCERTS and accumulated contamination of 8533’s photometer optics and temperature dependency);
• indoor PM concentration can serve as a proxy of when I am at work 😊

Exposition effects on the comparability of the instruments readings

• better comparability during outdoor test (it is likely result of higher mixing rate);
• desktop monitors report about twice concentration of MCERTS

Samplings inflow path role on the comparability of the instruments readings

• air sampling through 2.5m PTFE tube reduces PM concentration by ~80-90%;
• the coarse fractions experience higher reduction.

Conclusions

• 8533’s need to be manually zeroed regularly
• conductive tube must be used for air sampling
• 8543 use MCERTS calibration but 8533’s are set to factory calibration
• lack of intra-channel variance in 8533’s needs to be addressed

Acknowledgements

• National Science Fund - aerosol monitor 8543-MCERTS is acquired under contract KP-06-COST/7 - 19.08.2021;
• Non-governmental organization “For the Earth” - provided desktop aerosol monitors;
• National Science Program “Environmental Protection and Reduction of Risks of Adverse Events and Natural Disasters” - conference participation funding

\[\mathcal{Thank~you!}\]