Airmodus A11 User Manual

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nano Condensation Nucleus Counter system

MODEL A11 nCNC

USER MANUAL

Version 1.94

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1! Warning .................................................................................... 4!

2! Limitation of Warranty and Liability .............................................. 5!

3! Safety ...................................................................................... 7!

4! nano Condensation Nucleus Counter – Introduction ........................ 8!

4.1! Introduction ......................................................................... 8!

4.2! Operation Principle of the PSM ............................................... 9!

4.3! Operation Principle of the CPC ............................................... 10!

5! Instrument descriptions ............................................................. 12!

5.1! PSM front Panel ................................................................... 12!

5.2! PSM back panel ................................................................... 13!

5.3! CPC Front Panel .................................................................. 14!

5.4! CPC Back panel ................................................................... 15!

5.5! A1X Software ...................................................................... 16!

6! Getting Started ......................................................................... 18!

6.1! Unpacking .......................................................................... 18!

6.2! Setting up the instrument ..................................................... 19!

6.2.1! Installation of DEG drip bottle for Airmodus PSM ................ 20!

6.3! Installing A1X Software ........................................................ 21!

6.4! Before starting the software for the first time .......................... 23!

6.5! Starting the measurements ................................................... 25!

7! Operation and Maintenance ........................................................ 30!

7.1! Working with the nCNC ........................................................ 30!

7.2! CPC Operation and maintenance ............................................ 31!

7.2.1! CPC Display and settings ................................................. 31!

7.2.2! Filling, draining and drying butanol of the CPC ................... 33!

7.3! Filling, priming, draining and drying DEG of the PSM ................ 35!

7.3.1! Filling ........................................................................... 35!

7.3.2! Priming ......................................................................... 35!

7.3.3! Draining and drying ........................................................ 36!

7.4! Selecting operation mode ..................................................... 38!

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7.4.1! Fixed cut-off .................................................................. 39!

7.4.2! Stepping mode .............................................................. 40!

7.4.3! Scanning ...................................................................... 42!

7.5! Operation environment and safety ......................................... 44!

7.6! Communication ................................................................... 45!

7.7! Data management and saving data ........................................ 46!

7.7.1! Raw data file ................................................................. 48!

7.7.2! Inverted scanning data ................................................... 51!

7.8! Verifying flows .................................................................... 52!

7.9! Moving and shipping the nCNC .............................................. 53!

7.10! Efficiency & Response time ................................................ 53!

7.11! Replacement Parts ............................................................ 54!

7.12! Flooding of the Instrument ................................................. 54!

7.13! Calibration ....................................................................... 54!

7.14! How to get help / Technical contacts ................................... 55!

8! Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 56!

APPENDIX 1 – A11 nCNC Specifications ............................................. 58!

APPENDIX 2 – PSM Firmware commands ........................................... 60!

Read / system Commands ............................................................ 60!

Commands handled in all states .................................................. 60!

Commands handled only in standby mode .................................... 60!

Commands handled only in run mode .......................................... 61!

Status Commands ....................................................................... 61!

Set Commands ............................................................................ 64!

APPENDIX 3 – Airmodus bCPC Serial Commands, v1.6.0 ...................... 67!

APPENDIX 4 – References ................................................................ 72!

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1 Warning

THE PRODUCTS OF AIRMODUS LTD. ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE USED

NOR DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING SUITABLE FOR USE IN

THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HUMANS OR AS CRITICAL

COMPONENTS IN ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO

PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE INJURY TO A

HUMAN.

RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF ANY SOFTWARE CAN BE IMPAIRED BY

ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN

ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY, COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS,

COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF

COMPILERS OR DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DEVELOP AN

APPLICATION, INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF

ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES

OF ELECTONIC SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE),

UNANTICIPATED USES OR MISSUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE

USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER. (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE

ARE HEREAFTER COLLECTIVELY TERMED SYSTEM FAILURES) ANY

APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD CREATE A RISK OF

HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY

INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON

ELECTRONIC MONITORING DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO

AVOID DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION

DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO PROTECT

AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BACK-UP

OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS.

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2 Limitation of Warranty and Liability

Seller warrants that the goods delivered, under normal use and service as

described in the User Manual, shall be free of defects in workmanship and

material for a period of 12 months, or the length of time specified in the

User Manual, from the date of shipment to the customer. This limited

warranty is subject to the following exclusions:

• With respect to any repair services rendered, Seller warrants that the parts repaired or replaced will be free of defects in workmanship and material, under normal use, for a period of 90 days from the date of shipment to the customer;

• Seller does not provide any warranty on finished goods manufactured by others or on any fuses, filters, batteries or other consumable materials. Only the original manufacturer's warranty applies;

• Unless specifically authorized in writing by Seller, Seller makes no warranty with respect to, and shall have no liability in connection with, any goods, which are incorporated into other products or equipment or which are modified by any person other than the Seller. This applies also e.g. to particle counters connected to Airmodus particle size magnifiers: Airmodus has no liability in connection with the integrated system unless the whole system is delivered by Airmodus;

• All goods returned under warranty shall be at the customer’s risk of loss and the customer shall cover the costs of transportation (freight, insurance, etc.). The goods will be returned, if at all, at Seller's risk of loss.

The foregoing is IN LIEU OF all other warranties and is subject to the

conditions and LIMITATIONS stated herein. NO OTHER EXPRESS OR

IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR

MERCHANTABILITY IS MADE.

THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE USER OR PURCHASER, AND THE LIMIT

OF THE LIABILITY OF SELLER FOR ANY AND ALL LOSSES, INJURIES, OR

DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PRODUCT (INCLUDING CLAIMS

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BASED ON CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER TORT,

OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE RETURN OF THE PRODUCT TO THE FACTORY

OR DESIGNATED LOCATION AND THE REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE,

OR, AT THE OPTION OF SELLER, THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE

PRODUCT.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL

OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. SELLER SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE

FOR INSTALLATION, DISMANTLING, REASSEMBLY OR REINSTALLATION

COSTS OR CHARGES. NO ACTION REGARDLESS OF FORM CAN BE

BROUGHT AGAINST SELLER, MORE THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE

OF ACTION HAS OCCURRED.

Buyer and all users are deemed to have accepted this LIMITATION OF

WARRANTY AND LIABILITY, which contains the complete and exclusive

limited warranty of Seller. This LIMITATION OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY

may not be amended, modified or its terms waived, except by writing

signed by an authorized representative of Seller.

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3 Safety

Warning: This measurement system uses diethylene glycol and n-

butanol as working fluids. Diethylene glycol is toxic and hazardous in case

of skin contact (irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion

and of inhalation. See the material safety data sheet of diethylene glycol.

Butanol is a flammable solvent and can be toxic when inhaled (see

material safety data sheet of n-butanol). Proper air extraction should be

used to avoid exposure to Butanol vapour or a suitable filter should be

used. The room where the instrument is used should be properly

ventilated.

Warning: Do not open the covers of the instrument, when it is

connected to a power supply. Risk of electric shock or exposure to high

temperature parts/liquid can occur if the covers are opened during

operation of the instrument.

Warning: Take care and use safety goggles when connecting the

instrument to compressed air line.

Warning: The CPC is a class I laser product. Exposure to the

laser can cause blindness. In normal operation, the user is not exposed to

the laser radiation. Do not remove the cover of the instrument when

power is supplied and do not modify or remove any parts of the

instrument.

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4 nano Condensation Nucleus Counter –

Introduction

4.1 Introduction

The nano Condensation Nucleus Counter system consists of a Particle Size

Magnifier (PSM) and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The PSM is

an aerosol pre-conditioner that grows aerosol particles as small as 1 nm

up to about 90 nm in mobility equivalent diameter, after which they are

further grown to optical sizes and counted in the CPC. By using the PSM

together with the CPC even single large molecules or molecular clusters

can be detected.

Figure 4-1 The idea of dual-stage condensation in the nano

Condensation Nucleus Counter system. Stage 1, particle growth

with diethylene glycol condensation is done in the PSM, whereas

stage 2 and detection is done by an external counter CPC.

The use of the Particle Size Magnifier is based on using a proper

condensing fluid for activating also the smallest particles. With diethylene

glycol as the condensing fluid, the PSM can be used at high

supersaturations without substantial homogenous nucleation of the

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working fluid. Since diethylene glycol can grow the particles only to about

90 nm in diameter, a CPC using butanol as condensing fluid is needed as a

second stage for further growing the particles to optical sizes, and for

detection.

The technique can be used for both charged and neutral particles without the need for pre-charging the aerosol. Theoretically charged particles may activate easier than neutral ones. Also the chemical composition of the particles can somewhat affect the activation probability.

The nCNC has three measurement modes: 1) In the fixed flow mode it

gives the total concentration at one user-selectable saturator flow rate

corresponding to a certain cut-off size, 2) in stepping mode the user can

select up to 4 different saturator flow rates for the instrument and thus

periodically monitor the total concentration at different cut-off sizes, 3) in

scanning mode the saturator flow rate is changed continuously, giving an

activation spectrum of the measured particles, which can be used e.g. to

obtain size or composition information of the ~1-4 nm particles.

NOTE: the diffusional losses of particles smaller than 4 nm can be

substantial. Therefore, use as short inlet tube as possible before the PSM,

or use make-up flow.

4.2 Operation Principle of the PSM

The PSM consists of a saturator, mixing region and growth tube (Figure

Figure 4-2). Clean air is led through the saturator where it is heated and

exposed to diethylene glycol, which vaporizes to the flow. The aerosol flow

sampled trough the inlet is turbulently mixed with the saturator flow in

the cooled mixing region. As the flow cools down, the diethylene glycol

reaches supersaturation, and starts condensing on the particles. After the

mixing region, the sample is led to a cooled growth tube, where the

particles continue growing, when diethylene glycol is condensing on them.

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After the PSM a part of the flow is led to the CPC, and part of the flow is

discarded as excess flow.

Please note: The flows of the PSM are controlled as mass flow and

converted to volumetric flow (@20oC and 101.3kPa).

The cut-off diameter of the nCNC can be easily adjusted programmatically

by changing the saturator flow rate in the PSM. This changes the mixing

ratio of the inlet and saturator flow, which determines the supersaturation

inside the mixing region and growth tube. The supersaturation, in turn,

determines how small particles can be activated.

For details of how to define the cut-off diameter see Chapter Calibration

on page 54.

Figure 4-2 Schematics of the PSM, showing the saturator, the

mixing region, the growth tube and the CPC.

4.3 Operation Principle of the CPC

The A20 Condensation Particle Counter is intended for measuring the number concentration of airborne solid or liquid particles (aerosol particles) in the size range of 7 nm – 2.5 μm (see figure 4-3). It can be

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used independently for measuring the total particle concentration, or as a counter in various aerosol measurement systems.

The condensing fluid in A20 is n-butanol. The supersaturation required for condensation is achieved by cooling warm air saturated with butanol until the vapour starts to condense on particles. The resulting droplets are detected individually in the optics based on the light they scatter. The A20 is working in the single-particle measurement mode in the concentration range from 0-30 000/cc, and concentrations up to 1e5/cc can be measured when a correction function is applied. At higher concentrations a dilution system is needed.

Figure 4-3 Example of the detection efficiency curve of the A20.

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5 Instrument descriptions

The A11 nCNC system consists of an A10 PSM and an A20 CPC, together

with the A1X operating software.

5.1 PSM front Panel

Figure 5-1 Front panel of the PSM

1. Connection for external vacuum. 100 - 350 mbar is needed (in NTP)

2. Connection for compressed air. 1.5 – 2.5 bar is needed (NTP). !!!

NOTE, DON’T EXCEED THE MAXIMUM WORKING PRESSURE OF 3.0

BAR !!!

3. Connection for DEG fill bottle.

4. Connection for DEG drain bottle

5. Serial RS-232 connection

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6. USB 2.0 connection

7. Programmable 0-10 V analogue output connection (a BNC

connector). Can be used to control e.g. an Ion filter or a DMA.

8. Power, status and drain LEDs – should be green when instrument is

working properly

5.2 PSM back panel

Figure 5-2 Back panel of the PSM

1. Connection for power cable (100 - 240 VAC, max 320 W)

2. Power switch

3. Particle inlet, 1/4 inch

4. Particle outlet, 1/4 inch – connect this to the counter CPC using the

black sampling line provided with the system.

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5.3 CPC Front Panel

Figure 5-3. A20 Side view.

1. Display

Touch screen for operating the instrument and displaying the

concentration.

2. Fill

The fill bottle for butanol should be connected here.

3. Drain

Connector for draining butanol out of the instrument.

4. Power light

The power light indicates that the instrument is on. The power light

is red if the instrument self-test fails (contact Airmodus).

5. Status light The status light indicates that all the operation parameters (e.g.

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temperatures) of the instrument have reached correct values. Status light is green, when everything is ok, and red if any of the settings are out-of-range. Status light is yellow when instrument is in warm-up mode.

6. Particle light Particle light is lit when particles are being detected.

5.4 CPC Back panel

Figure 5-4. A20 Back panel

1. Inlet

The inlet of the A20 is a ¼ inch stainless steel tube. Inlet flow rate

is 1 lpm.

2. Power switch For switching the instrument on and off.

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3. Power cord Connection for the power cord.

4. Fuse Fuse rating is 250 V, 4 A.

5. Connection for external vacuum The instrument needs to be connected to a pump or external vacuum for maintaining the flow rate. The vacuum source should be enough to maintain a critical flow of 1 l/min. The exhaust air may contain some butanol vapour.

Warning: Butanol vapours should be led out of breathing air or a

suitable filter should be used. Butanol is a flammable solvent and can be

toxic when inhaled (see material safety data sheet of n-butanol).

6. USB and Ethernet Connections for communicating with external devices

7. Serial and Serial link Connections for communicating with external devices

8. Pulse out Gives out a 5 V TTL-pulse for each detected particle.

9. Analog in/out Programmable 0-10V analog voltage input/outputs.

5.5 A1X Software

The A11 nCNC includes software, which can be installed to a computer

(Microsoft Windows only). The software can be used for setting and

monitoring the PSM and CPC status and parameters, changing the

measurement mode, and displaying and saving data from the nCNC. The

A1X software also provides in-situ inversion of the measured data when

used with Airmodus CPC: based on calibration information a size

distribution is calculated for 1-4 nm particles. Please note that the given

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size is based on Nickel Chromium calibration and thus is given as Nickel

Chromium equivalent diameter, for other particle compositions the

activation spectra may represent other sizes.

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6 Getting Started

6.1 Unpacking

Warning: Check that the box is upwards from the side arrow

stickers before opening.

The A11 nCNC shipment contains two boxes. Each box contains an

instrument mounted on foam cushions, and a smaller box containing

accessories (e.g. the sample PSM-CPC tube), manual, calibration

certificate and fill- and drain bottles.

First remove the accessories box, manual and calibration certificate and

after that carefully pull the instrument from the cardboard box. Remove

the end cushions.

If the instrument has been transported in temperatures considerably

lower than room temperature, store it in room temperature for two hours

before starting to operate with it.

After unpacking, the instruments are ready for setting up.

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6.2 Setting up the instrument

Figure 6-1 Set-up of the A11

1. Attach the power cables to the PSM and the CPC.

2. Connect vacuum and pressurized air to the PSM front panel and

vacuum to the CPC back panel (see Figure 6-1)

3. Connect the PSM aerosol outlet to the Drip Bottle (see instructions

and the figure in Chapter 6.2.1) and then to the CPC inlet with

conductive tubing. A 45 cm tube is delivered with the instrument,

please note that the length of the tube affects the response time of

the complete system. The CPC should be preferably placed on a

higher level than the PSM outlet, for example on top of the PSM.

4. Connect the fill bottle with DEG (diethylene glycol) to the PSM front

panel “LIQUID IN” connector. Make sure that there is a hole in the

cap of the fill bottle, or that the cap is slightly open, to ensure

pressure stabilization inside the bottle.

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5. Connect the fill bottle with butanol to the CPC. Make sure that there

is a hole in the cap of the fill bottle, or that the cap is slightly open,

to ensure pressure stabilization inside the bottle.

6. Connect the PSM and CPC to a computer with USB or serial cable

7. Switch on the power of the PSM and the CPC.

8. Let the CPC run for 20 minutes and then check the CPC inlet flow

(preferably in-line, but do note that the sample leaving the PSM

contains DEG). Set the measured flow rate into the Before starting

tab of the measurement software.

9. Connect the sample inlet of the PSM.

6.2.1 Installation of DEG drip bottle for Airmodus PSM

PSM uses diethylene glycol (DEG)

to grow aerosol particle. The

growth is achieved by condensing

DEG vapour on top of the aerosol

particle. After the condensational

growth stage inside the PSM there

can be some excess DEG vapour

still in the sample air. This excess

vapour can condense on the walls

of the tube that is connected to the

inlet of the CPC. In order to prevent

this condensing DEG from getting

inside the CPC a drip bottle should

be installed (see figure).

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6.3 Installing A1X Software

NOTE: have the instruments on and connected to your computer before

installing the software. We recommend that the computer is connected to

internet when installing the software for the first time.

Copy the A1X zip-file on your computer and extract the file following the

instructions below.

Extract the zip file by right-clicking it. Choose extract

all and select destination folder. Make sure you have

writing access to the destination folders.

After extraction is completed, go to the destination folder, find setup file

and double click it.

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Select the destination directories (make sure you have writing access) and

click next.

Accept both of the National

Instruments software

licenses and click next.

This dialog shows which

software components will

be installed to the

computer. Click next.

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Wait for the installation process to finish. After software installation is

finished, click Finish button

The computer still needs to

be restarted to finish the

installation. After restart the

A1X software is fully

installed.

6.4 Before starting the software for the first time

Before starting the software for the first time, find out which USB Serial

ports are used by the CPC and PSM. This can be done from the Windows

Device Manager. Ensure that PSM and CPC are running. After the Device

Manager is opened, connect the CPC and PSM cables to PC:s USB ports.

Corresponding COM ports will appear to the Device Managers Ports listing.

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Go to the directory where the software is installed and open

psmconfig.ini file with a text editor (format of the file is shown below)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

C:\DATA (Data folder)

measurement (Data filename)

COM1 (PSM serial port)

COM2 (CPC serial port)

C:\DATA (Calibration data file folder)

CALIBRATION_FILE.txt (Calibration data file name)

1.0 (Measured CPC inlet flow)

1 (Use calibration data 1/0)

1 (CPC selection*)

------------------------------------------------------------------

* CPC selection: 0 = no CPC, 1 = Airmodus A2X, 2 = TSI 3772/3776, 3 = TSI 3010/3025.

Set the COM ports to correspond the ones shown in the Device Manager.

Make sure that the computer uses period as the delimiter (decimal point),

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not comma. Create a folder into which the data files will later be saved to.

[This is to avoid access rights problems in some Windows computers: the

A1X software is a Labview executable, and e.g. in Windows 8 might not

have the needed rights to create folders.]

6.5 Starting the measurements

Switch on the PSM and CPC by pushing the power switches on the back

panels.

The power and liquid / drain indicators should light up green. The status

light will stay yellow. A11 starts reaching the operating temperatures. The

status light will stay yellow until the desired temperatures are reached.

A summary of steps needed to start measurements is listed below. The steps

are explained in more detail in the chapters to follow:

1) Switch on the PSM and the CPC

2) Check the psmconfig – file (see 6.4)

3) Open the A1X software

Starts the measurement by pressing the arrow on the upper left

corner

5) Choose the calibration file from the “Before Starting” tab

On the “Before Starting” tab select the best fit to the calibration

data

7) Check flows, temperatures and other status information

8) Measure PSM and CPC inlet flow rates

a. Insert the CPC inlet flow rate to “Before Starting” tab

9) Wait for system status to turn green

10) Select the measurement mode from “Select mode” tab

11) Start saving data by pressing “Save data?” button

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When the temperatures have stabilized the status light will change to

green.

If drain light is continuously red the internal drain reservoir is too full and

needs to be drained. The device will stay in stand-by mode (power light

red) until the liquid level in the internal drain reservoir is low enough (see

instructions for draining the instruments in chapter 7.3). The instrument

needs to be restarted (from power switch) to recover it from stand-by

mode.

Check the psmconfig.ini file for proper settings (see 6.4). Open the A1X

software window. Start the software by pushing the small arrow button on

the upper left corner. When software is started it starts the measurement

automatically, but does not save data before user decides to do so.

NOTE: If you are not using Airmodus CPC, please always use RS232 DB9

cable with your CPC. The software uses serial commands to communicate

with the CPCs and not all CPCs create a COM-port via USB.

Figure 6-2 Start button

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Figure 6-3 Before starting tab

Go to Before starting tab (Figure 6-3) and check that the CPC and PSM

COM ports are the right ones. Check that the calibration file name is

correct. For choosing a new calibration file, click Choose new calibration

file. Check that there is data displayed in the graphs on the right-hand

side. Choose the best fittings to the measured calibration data. These will

be used for data inversion and estimating the cut-off diameter. NOTE:

ONLY WHEN USED WITH AIRMODUS CPC!

Check that the temperature and flow rate values are updated regularly in

the Diagnostics tab (Figure 6-4)

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Figure 6-4 The Diagnostics tab

Check that the inlet flow rate of the PSM is about 2.5 lpm and CPC 1 lpm

by using a low-pressure drop flow meter. Please note that the PSM uses

mass flow controllers to control the flows and the sample temperature and

pressure will affect the volumetric flow rate measured from the inlet.

The mass flow meters inside the PSM are calibrated to standard conditions

of 20oC (T

cal

) temperature and 101.3 kPa in pressure (P

cal

). If the PSM is

used in temperature T and pressure P, the volumetric flow rate Q will be:

𝑄 =

𝑃𝑐𝑎𝑙

𝑃

𝑇 + 273.150𝐾

𝑇𝑐𝑎𝑙 + 273.150𝐾

×𝑄𝑠𝑡𝑑

If you are starting the instrument when it has been dry of DEG, go to the

Select mode tab, put 90 seconds to the Priming time selector, and push

Prime button. This lets DEG to flow into the saturator. The priming will

stop by itself after the selected time. After priming let the instrument

stabilize for at least 1h.

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Wait until all the temperatures have reached their correct settings and the

status is green (Figure 6-4)

If there is a problem in the data communication with the CPC or the PSM,

the status light will turn red and an explanation or a received device error

with a possible tip for solving the problem is displayed in the message

field on the diagnostics tab. If the software is able to open the

communication with the chosen COM-ports but doesn't receive any data, a

message "CPC/PSM communication error" is shown. With any data

communication problem it's usually good to check that the cables are

connected to the right COM-ports and restart the software.

NOTE: If the A1X software is closed and reopened, you have to start the

desired measurement mode again in order to start the online data

inversion and inverted data saving.

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7 Operation and Maintenance

NOTE: We recommend the use of an uninterruptible power supply for any

measurement systems.

7.1 Working with the nCNC

• Different cut-off sizes can be obtained by selecting different

saturator flow rates (mixing ratios). Other flows will be adjusted

automatically so that the inlet flow rate should stay constant. After

changing flow rates the Status light will turn red until the flows

have stabilized. See chapter 7.4 for selecting the correct operation

mode.

• PSM temperature set points can be adjusted in the Diagnostics tab

(Figure 6-4, on page 28) on the software. Status light will stay red

until the new temperatures have been achieved, let the instrument

stabilize after changing temperature settings.

NOTE: Calibration will be void if the operating temperatures are

changed! Inverted data will not be valid.

• It’s a good practise to measure the inlet flows of both of the

instruments and the zero background concentration regularly (e.g.

once per week). See chapter 7.8 on page 52 for verifying the flows.

The background can be measured by inserting a HEPA filter in front

of the inlet.

• A small amount of DEG can get in the tube connecting the PSM to

the CPC with the outlet flow. For preventing the DEG of entering the

CPC, have the drip bottle connected to the outlet of the PSM and

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place the CPC on a higher level than the PSM. Clean the tube

connecting the PSM to the CPC regularly, and empty the drip bottle

before it gets full. Both the tube and the drip bottle can be washed

with pure water. Dry the tube and drip bottle before reconnecting

them to the PSM and CPC. If you suspect the PSM to be flooded,

immediately disconnect it from your system.

NOTE: the diffusional losses of particles smaller than 4 nm can be

substantial. Therefore use as short inlet tube as possible before the PSM,

or use make-up flow.

Warning: If pressurized air is connected while the vacuum is

disconnected from the PSM, and the PSM is on, there may be some DEG

vapour coming out of the outlet or inlet of the instrument (see material

safety data sheet of diethylene glycol).

7.2 CPC Operation and maintenance

7.2.1 CPC Display and settings

The touch screen of the CPC displays one of five different screens. One

can change the currently shown screen from the bottom of the touch

screen.

Main screen

On the main screen, the measured

concentration is shown as number

concentration per cubic centimeter, and the

data is shown as a time series (30 previous

data points). The averaging time used for

displaying the data should NOT be changed when using the A20 CPC in

the A11 system (the averaging time should always be 1 s). The y-axis

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scale can be changed between linear or logarithmic scale from MODE

screen.

The concentration value changes to red if the status of the instrument is

not ok. An arrow symbol is displayed in front of the concentration value, if

the concentration is higher than 30 000/cc and the Total Scattering Mode

correction factor is applied.

Total Scattering Mode Correction: At high particle concentration a CPC

can’t count all the particles due to coincidence. Commonly 10% of

coincidence is considered acceptable. The amount of coincidence in single

particle counting mode is defined by the pulse width of the optical counter

signal; narrow pulse width allows higher concentrations to be detected.

With A20 the 10% limit is at 30 000#/cc. After this the counted

concentration data is corrected with a parameterization that is a function

of the total scattering signal. This sophisticated method assures a smooth

transition from single counting mode to total scattering mode.

Note: The concentration reading from the CPC Main Screen is not the

same as the concentration shown in the A1X software’s Display Data

screen due to dilution of the sample inside the PSM (see chapter 7.7).

Mode screen

On the mode screen one can change the

fill/drain options and change the time

series scale to logarithmic or linear.

Set screen

On the SET screen one can change the

saturator and condenser temperature, and

the data averaging time. The values can be

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changed by pressing the upward/downward arrows.

Note: changing the temperature settings will affect the cut-off size

and performance of the instrument. The calibration and given cut-off size

are valid only for the temperature settings indicated in the calibration

certificate.

Status screen

The instrument temperatures, pressures,

liquid level and other parameters are

shown in the status screen. If any of the

values are out-of-range, the status light

will be red and the value in question

turns red.

Reset

The default settings of the instrument can

be retrieved from the reset screen.

7.2.2 Filling, draining and drying butanol of the CPC

N-butanol is needed as working fluid for the A20.

Warning: Butanol is a flammable solvent and can be toxic when

inhaled (see material safety data sheet of n-butanol).

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Butanol is filled automatically, when AUTOFILL option is on. The fill bottle

should be attached to the FILL-connector on the front panel. If the

instrument is totally dry, it can take up to 30 min until the butanol

reservoir is full and the instrument measures correctly. Make sure that

there is a hole in the cap of the fill bottle, or that the cap is slightly open,

to ensure pressure stabilization inside the bottle.

When the liquid level in the instrument is too low, the indicator on the

STATUS screen displays LOW. When the level is correct, OK is displayed.

For draining, attach a drain bottle to the DRAIN connector in the front

panel, and press DRAIN from set-screen. Extra liquid should flow into the

drain bottle. Usually a bit of under pressure in the drain bottle is needed

to start the draining. Remember to put AUTOFILL back on if you continue

measurements after draining.

When the sample air is humid, we recommend draining the instrument

with constant intervals, such as once per week, because water will

condense inside the instrument and eventually replaces the n-butanol

inside the saturator.

Note: Always drain the instrument before moving it and dry the

instrument before transport. It is recommended to dry the instrument also

before storage.

DRYING before transportation or storage:

Disconnect the CPC from the PSM. Disconnect the fill bottle and drain the

CPC. Let the instrument run dry in drain mode for at least 24 hours.

Check that the concentration reading of the CPC is zero after the drying

period, and that there is no more butanol coming out of the CPC when

draining.

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Connecting an empty fill bottle to the fill connector and having the autofill

on for a minute will help the drying by letting the n-butanol inside the fill

line quicker to the drain. The drying can also be helped by a bit of under

pressure in the drain bottle a few times during the drying period, as when

starting the draining.

Warning: Do not tilt the instrument when there is butanol inside,

to avoid flooding it.

7.3 Filling, priming, draining and drying DEG of the PSM

7.3.1 Filling

• The PSM uses diethylene glycol (DEG, (HOCH2CH2)2O; 99% purity

is recommended) as working fluid.

• When the fill bottle is attached to the FILL connector in the front

panel, the PSM will take in the DEG automatically.

• Make sure that there is a hole in the cap of the fill bottle, or that

the cap is slightly open, to ensure pressure stabilization inside the

bottle.

• Operate the instrument with the DEG fill bottle ALWAYS connected.

• Refill the fill bottle BEFORE the level reaches the bottom connection

to avoid getting air bubbles in the PSM saturator.

7.3.2 Priming

• If you are starting the instrument when it has been dry of DEG, e.g.

after transport, the instrument needs to be primed to assure proper

functioning. Pressing prime button opens a valve, which lets DEG

flow into the saturator.

• Go to the Select mode tab (see Figure 7-1), put 90 s to the Priming

time selector, and push Prime button. The priming will stop by itself

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after the selected time. To make sure the saturator is full of DEG,

the priming function can be repeated once.

While priming the fill bottle needs to be connected and full. The priming

will temporarily lower the saturator temperature. After priming let the

instrument stabilize for at least 1h.

7.3.3 Draining and drying

Warning: DEG should be disposed according to local regulations.

Use appropriate measures to ensure safe disposal.

• Used DEG is collected to an internal reservoir, which needs to be drained by the user. The draining frequency depends on both the DEG consumption and relative humidity of the sample. It is good practice to drain the PSM at least every time the fill bottle is refilled, in order not to overfill the internal drain reservoir.

• During continuous measurements, it is recommended to drain and prime the instrument weekly.

• The status LED will turn yellow and the “High” is lit on the Drain level panel when the internal drain reservoir starts to be full and needs to be drained. The status LED turns red and PSM goes to stand-by mode when the internal drain reservoir is full.

NOTE: the PSM will not recover from the stand-by mode without a

user intervention: drain the PSM until the drain led turns green again, stop the measurement software, switch the PSM off and on from the power switch from the back panel. Start the measurement software again.

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• DRAINING: attach the drain bottle to the DRAIN connector.

• Press the button “DRAIN” on the Select mode tab of the PSM_A1X

software

• Connect external vacuum or a pump to the connector on the cap of the drain bottle. DEG should start to flow out from the drain to the drain bottle. The needle valves connected to the cap can be adjusted to set sufficient under pressure to the bottle to start the flow (pressure depends on the vacuum pump used). NOTE: Make sure that the drain bottle will not squeeze!

• Stop the draining by pressing the DRAIN button again

DRYING before transportation or storage:

!!! Always dry the instrument before transport !!!

Dry the instrument also before storage.

Remove the fill bottle. Disconnect the CPC, compressed air and

vacuum from the PSM. Attach the drain bottle as explained above,

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and connect the vacuum to the drain bottle. Press the button DRY

on the A1X software. Then clog the inlet and outlet of the PSM. Let

the instrument dry for at least 24h.

Figure 7-1 The “Select mode” tab, with the liquid operation

commands on the right-hand side

7.4 Selecting operation mode

The Airmodus A11 can operate in three modes:

1. FIXED FLOW – the instrument has a constant selectable saturator

flow rate (cut-off size)

2. STEPPING MODE – the instrument steps between 2-4 user-

selectable saturator flow rates (cut-off sizes)

3. SCANNING MODE – the saturator flow rate is changed continuously,

giving an activation spectrum of the particles

The mode is selected from the Select mode tab on the software, and the

corresponding led is lit. Notice, when you first time start the

measurement, you need to make sure from the display that the correct

mode is on.

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Figure 7-2 The tab to select different modes in the A1X software.

The mode is started when the green button Scan/Step/Fixed is

pushed.

7.4.1 Fixed cut-off

FIXED FLOW operation:

The user can choose a constant flow rate in the range from 0.1 lpm to 1.3

lpm. In the fixed mode the saturator flow rate is changed from the Select

mode tab.

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Figure 7-3 PSM in fixed mode.

7.4.2 Stepping mode

STEPPING MODE operation:

In the stepping mode the saturator flow is automatically changed after the

selected step time has passed.

The measurement time for each step is user selectable, but we

recommend that the step time should be at least 30 s, as it takes time

until the flow rate and concentration stabilizes after a step change. A

yellow status light is displayed when the step is changing. When using

Airmodus CPC, the software saves .step file that gives the median

concentration of one step discarding the first 10 s of the step. When using

other CPCs the user should take care that he / she doesn’t use the data

just after the step change (from the .DAT file). The proper waiting time

depends on the difference between the two successive steps, and the

response time of the system (see Chapter 7.10 on page 53).

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When the Step mode start button is pressed, a pop-up window is

displayed, to which the user needs to write the selected saturator flow

rates (for example: 0.1,0.2,0.5,1.3). The minimum number of steps is 2

and maximum number of steps is 4. The selected steps are displayed in

the screen. For changing the selected steps, press Step mode button

again.

Figure 7-4 Pop-up window for selecting the used flow rates in the

step mode.

Figure 7-5 PSM in stepping mode

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When the PSM is in the stepping mode an additional tab (Step mode,

Figure 7-6) is displayed, where the average concentration calculated for

each step is shown (ONLY WHEN USED WITH AIRMODUS CPC). The

median concentration measured with each corresponding cut-off size is

displayed with separate lines.

Figure 7-6 Inverted step data

7.4.3 Scanning

SCANNING MODE operation:

In scanning mode the saturator flow rate is automatically and

continuously changed.

Scanning mode can be selected from the Select mode tab. After pressing

the SCAN mode start button, the saturator flow rate starts increasing with

100 steps between the minimum and maximum flow. An upward ramp is

automatically followed by a downward ramp and vice versa. The minimum

and maximum flow rates are 0.1-1.3 lpm, and time for each step is 1s.

The total time for a complete scan (up and down) is 240 s (4 min). For

starting the SCAN-mode measurement: press the SCAN button on the

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Select mode tab (a green light should appear on the button). The scan

mode can be stopped by pressing the FIXED or STEP button on the Select

mode tab.

Figure 7-7 PSM in scanning mode

In scan mode, and additional tab (Data inversion, Figure 7-7) is shown

(ONLY WHEN USED WITH AIRMODUS CPC). Here the user can select the

saturator flow rates vector (set flow rates for inversion), which determines

the limits of the size bins. The software calculates the number of particles

which were activated between these flow rates, corrects the number of

particles with the detection efficiency at the mean size of that size bin,

and displays the resulting concentration in each size bin as a colour. The

colour scale can be adjusted from the lower right side of the figure.

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Figure 7-8. Inverted scan data

7.5 Operation environment and safety

The nCNC is intended for measuring fine airborne particles (diameter 1-

1000 nm) in the concentration range 0-1e5/cc. It is recommended to use

the nCNC in single particle counting mode, i.e. concentration range 0-

3e4/cc. The sample air should not contain coarse material (e.g. insects,

sand, dust, flour, pollen), which can block the instrument. If necessary, an

impactor or a suitable mesh-filter should be used in front of the inlet.

The nCNC should be operated at close to normal room temperature (15-

30 °C)

Do not measure hazardous or flammable gases (e.g. H2).

Do not block the fans of the instrument and ensure proper ventilation for

not overheating it.

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The PSM and the CPC should be placed onto an even surface. Do not tilt

the instruments to avoid flooding.

Do not block the inlet, when the nCNC is measuring and/or connected to

the vacuum line.

Drain the instrument properly before moving or transport. Do not put any

other liquid than DEG or butanol inside the PSM and CPC, respectively.

Do not remove the cover of the instrument during measurement or when

power is on and do not modify or replace any parts of the instrument.

All service and maintenance should be performed by qualified technician.

Do not replace, remove or modify any parts of the nCNC.

7.6 Communication

Airmodus A10 PSM and the A20 CPC have a RS-232 serial port and a USB2.0 port for communicating with a standard PC. The user can decide which connection is more suitable for their purpose. We recommend avoiding serial to USB converters in case the PC or laptop is not equipped with an RS-232 port, but to use the USB instead.

A1X software takes care of the communication between the PC and the Airmodus A11.

For RS-232 communication the following specifications apply:

Baud rate: 115200

Bits: 8

Parity: None

Stop bits: 1

All commands and responses are sent or received as ASCII characters. All messages are terminated with a <CR>

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For a complete list of the commands, see Appendix 3 and 4.

7.7 Data management and saving data

The A1X software can be used to display and record data from the PSM

and the CPC, change measurement mode and settings, and monitor the

instrument status.

The current saturator flow rate and concentration as a function of time is

displayed on the Display data tab. The screen can be reset by right-

clicking on it and selecting ‘Clear Screen’. An estimation of the current

cut-off size is given at the bottom of the display.

Temperatures, pressures and other flow rates can be seen from the

Diagnostics tab. From there you can also change the temperature settings

of the PSM. Note that the calibration of the instrument is only valid for the

default settings listed in the calibration certificate. All the values are

written in a data file once in a second when ‘Save data’ button is ON

(green light lit). The data folder and file name can be chosen from the

Before starting tab.

The concentration measured by the CPC is corrected for the dilution

caused by mixing the sample with the particle-free saturator air. The

software does this automatically.

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐

89:

= 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐

;8;

∗ 𝐷𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛0𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜

𝐷𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛0𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 0

𝑄

ABCDE

+ 𝑄

FGEHIGEJI

𝑄

ABCDE

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The concentration is not corrected for losses, which might be substantial

for the smallest particles.

NOTE: With other than Airmodus CPCs the corrected concentration is

acquired from the CPC with the RD command that only gives the CPCs

concentration reading from the display. So when you measure the inlet

flow rate of the CPC and enter the value to the A1X software please note

that it is used to correct for the internal dilution of the PSM but with other

than Airmodus CPCs it is not used to correct for the CPCs internal

counting. For example, if the real measured inlet flow rate of a TSI CPC is

1.05 lpm, and the CPC itself believes it is 1.0 lpm the CPC gives 5% too

high concentration value. For Airmodus CPC this is corrected automatically

because the A1X software sends the measured value for both PSM and the

Airmodus CPC.

The A1X software checks the PSM and CPC status, which tells you when

the instrument operates correctly. The status led in the software window

is green when all parameters are inside accepted range. The status turns

yellow, when the instrument gives a warning about warming up state,

draining, drying, or changing the saturator flow in the step mode. The

user does not need to do anything due to a warning, but the data might

not be valid. The warning is displayed as text in the Message display on

the Diagnostics tab. If some of the parameters, e.g. temperatures or flows

are outside the accepted range, the status led turns red and an error

message is displayed. If the error persists, you need to check the

operation of the instrument.

The CPC status led shows the status value of the CPC. For Airmodus CPC

the software will also give the diagnostics and setting values. For TSI

CPCs is not supported.

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NOTE: Please don’t try to read or write the data file with any other

software while the A1X software is saving data.

7.7.1 Raw data file

The data is saved every second to a file named identifier_yymmdd.dat to

the user selected folder. The different values are separated by a comma.

Row 1 - header:

Instrument serial nr or name from flash, name of calibration file used

Next rows – data for Airmodus CPCs: comma separated values in

the following order:

Column'1'

time (dd.mm.yyyy HH:MM:SS)

Column'2'

concentration from PSM (1/cm3) (corrected for dilution)

Column'3'

cut-off diameter (nm) based on the given calibration data

Column'4'

saturator flow rate (lpm)

Column'5'

excess flow rate (lpm)

Column'6'

PSM saturator T (C)

Column'7'

growth tube T (C)

Column'8'

inlet T (C)

Column'9'

drainage T (C)

Column'10'

preheater T (C)

Column'11'

PSM cabin T (C)

Column'12'

absolute pressure (measured in the inlet of PSM) (kPa)

Column'13'

dP saturator line (kPa)

Column'14'

dP excess line (kPa)

Column'15'

PSM status value (1=ok, 0=not ok)

Column'16'

PSM note value (1=ok, 0=notes)

Column'17'

CPC concentration (1/cm3)

Column'18'

dilution correction factor

Column'19'

CPC system running (1=ok)

Column'20'

CPC autofill (1=on, 0=not on)

Column'21'

CPC drain (1=on, 0=not on)

Column'22'

CPC water removal (1=on, 0=not on)

Column'23'

CPC saturator T (C)

Column'24'

CPC saturator T setpoint (C)

Column'25'

CPC condenser T (C)

Column'26'

CPC condenser T setpoint (C)

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Column'27'

CPC optics T (C)

Column'28'

CPC optics T setpoint (C)

Column'29'

CPC cabin T (C)

Column'30'

CPC inlet flow rate (lpm)

Column'31'

CPC P critical orifice (kPa)

Column'32'

CPC P extra (not used) (kPa)

Column'33'

CPC P nozzle (kPa)

Column'34'

CPC P absolute (measured in the inlet of CPC) (kPa)

Column'35'

CPC liquid level (1=ok, 0=not ok, 2=OVERFILL)

Column'36'

CPC laser level (%)

Column'37'

CPC averaging time (s)

Column'38'

OPC compare voltage (mV)

Column'39'

OPC Pulses (number of particle counts during the CPC averaging time)

Column'40'

OPC Pulse duration (accumulated dead time during the CPC averaging time) (us)

Column'41'

OPC DC compensation state (1=on, 0=not on)

Column'42'

OPC voltage level (used in DC compensation to describe the total scattering)

Column'43'

CPC nr of errors (0=ok)

Column'44'

CPC Self-test Error(s) (Hexadecimal number)

Column'45'

CPC System status Error(s) (Hexadecimal number)

Column'46'

PSM Note(s) (Hexadecimal number)

Column'47'

PSM System status Error(s) (Hexadecimal number)

Next rows – data for TSI CPCs: comma separated values in the

following order:

Column'1'

time (dd.mm.yyyy HH:MM:SS)

Column'2'

concentration from PSM (1/cm3) (corrected for dilution)

Column'3'

cut-off diameter (nm) based on the given calibration data

Column'4'

saturator flow rate (lpm)

Column'5'

excess flow rate (lpm)

Column'6'

PSM saturator T (C)

Column'7'

growth tube T (C)

Column'8'

inlet T (C)

Column'9'

drainage T (C)

Column'10'

preheater T (C)

Column'11'

PSM cabin T (C)

Column'12'

absolute pressure (measured in the inlet of PSM) (kPa)

Column'13'

dP saturator line (kPa)

Column'14'

dP excess line (kPa)

Column'15'

PSM status value (1=ok, 0=not ok)

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Column'16'

PSM note value (1=ok, 0=notes)

Column'17'

CPC concentration (1/cm3)

Column'18'

dilution correction factor

Column'19'

CPC system running (1=ok)

Column'20'

CPC inlet flow rate (lpm)

Column'21'

“Not Airmodus CPC”

Column'22'

PSM Note(s) (Hexadecimal number)

Column'23'

PSM System status Error(s) (Hexadecimal number)

Example:

#A11, A1113080113,A1113080113_28102013.txt

30.10.2013

17:44:14,1216.963411,1.392871,0.831000,2.334000,81.000000,5.00000

0,35.000000,5.000000,40.000000,28.670000,101.300000,-

0.900000,1.200000,1.000000,1.000000,898.651794,1.339193,1.000000,

1.000000,0.000000,0.000000,39.010000,39.000000,15.000000,15.0000

00,40.010000,40.000000,25.590000,1.000000,76.000000,1.000000,2.00

0000,100.000000,1.000000,79.000000,1.000000,250.000000,14410.000

000,37894.000000,0.000000,0.007977,0.000000,0x00000000,0x0000,0x

0000,0x0000

#A11,A1013110114,A1113080113_28102013.txt

18.08.2014

00:00:00,617.400000,0.000000,1.000000,1.991000,80.000000,5.000000

,35.000000,5.000000,40.000000,31.050000,101.230000,0.060000,0.660

000,1.000000,1.000000,441.000000,1.400000,1.000000,1.509000,Not

Airmodus CPC,0x0000,0x0000

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7.7.2 Inverted scanning data

In scanning mode, the concentration calculated for the size bins are saved

in the data file called identifier_yyyymmdd.scan

Row 1 - header:

#A11, instrument serial number or name from flash, name of calibration

file used

Next rows - data: comma separated values in the following order

1. column: end time of scan (dd.mm.yyyy HH:MM:SS)

2. column: 1. size bin upper size limit (nm)

3. column: 1. size bin lower size limit (nm)

4. column: 1. size bin concentration between size limits (1/cm3)

5. column: 2. size bin upper size limit (nm)

6. column: 2. size bin lower size limit (nm)

7. column: 2. size bin concentration between size limits (1/cm3)

...

Nth column: PSM status (1=ok, 0=not ok)

Total number of columns depends on the amount of size bins that the user

has selected on the Scan tab.

Example:

#A11,P,A1120130101_15102013.txt

24.10.2013

14:19:54,2.974961,1.861946,49.746058,1.861946,1.495453,413.022874

,1.495453,1.388907,1126.312226,1.388907,1.351180,2437.007323,1.35

1180,1.320000,2387.462752,1.000000

7.7.3 Inverted step data

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In step mode, the concentrations (total concentration with certain cut-off

size) averaged over each step are saved in the data file called

identifier_yyyymmdd.step

Row 1 - header:

#A11, instrument serial number or name from flash, name of calibration

file used

Next rows - data: comma separated values in the following order

1. column: end time of step (dd.mm.yyyy HH:MM:SS)

2. column: 1. concentration averaged over the step (1/cm3)

3. column: 1. saturator flow rate (lpm)

4. column: 1. cut-off size

5. column: PSM status (1=ok, 0=not ok)

Example:

#A11,A1113080110,A1113080113_28102013.txt

10.12.2013 00:00:20,7406.789896,1.000000,1.342000,1.000000

10.12.2013 00:00:48,7102.055007,0.100000,3.022975,1.000000

10.12.2013 00:01:18,7926.155782,0.300000,1.896261,1.000000

10.12.2013 00:01:50,7594.217514,0.700000,1.460830,1s.000000

7.8 Verifying flows

The inlet flow rate can be measured by using a calibrated low pressure

drop volumetric flow or mass flow meter. It is also important to measure

the flow of the CPC in line with the PSM. Remember to use a HEPA filter

upstream the flow meter in order to prevent contamination of the flow

meter by the DEG droplets exiting the PSM. The inlet flow rate of the PSM

should measure 2.5 lpm at 20 degrees centigrade at 1 atmosphere, and

the CPC 1 lpm. Note that the PSM flows are controlled by mass flow

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controllers and the CPC flow is controlled by a critical orifice. Temperature

of surroundings of the instrument and pressure of the inlet will affect the

flows. The calibration conditions are stated in the calibration certificate of

each instrument.

7.9 Moving and shipping the nCNC

Due to the low vapour pressure of the DEG, the instrument is

recommended to be in Drying mode for at least 24 hours before moving.

See Chapters 7.2.2 and 7.3 for draining instructions.

After drying is completed stop the A1X software. Shut down the PSM and

the CPC. Remove the CPC/PSM connection tube. Disconnect the PSM and

CPC power cords, pressure lines, DEG and Butanol fill and drain bottles

and USB- and other cables.

For shipping both the PSM and the CPC need to be completely dry. During

shipping they should not be exposed to weather or rain, temperatures

below 0oC or above 40oC and relative humidity above 95%. The package

should not be dropped and the packing should be properly cushioned.

You may use for example the original shipping box for protecting the

instruments during transportation. Insert the instrument to the box by

first installing the end cushions around the instrument and then carefully

slide the instrument to the cardboard box.

Transit cases can be purchased separately from Airmodus.

7.10 Efficiency & Response time

The detection efficiency of a CPC is defined as the ratio of the measured

concentration and the true concentration. The detection efficiency of the

nCNC is measured during calibration of the instrument using an

electrometer as the concentration reference.

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The detection efficiency of a CPC is dependent on the size of the particles.

The lowest size when the detection efficiency is still > 50% is called the

cut-off diameter. Near the cut-off size of the instrument, the composition

and electric charge of the particles can also affect their detection

efficiency. For the nCNC system, the detection efficiency is a combination

of the growth efficiency and losses of the PSM and the detection efficiency

of the CPC.

The response time of the instrument is here defined as the time when the

count of the CPC reaches 90% of its maximum in a step concentration

change. The measured response time for nCNC (PSM connected to the

A20 CPC with a 45cm tubing) is 4.8 s.

7.11 Replacement Parts

There are some consumables inside the PSM; these are usually replaced

during maintenance by Airmodus. If you have any questions related to the

consumables, please contact [email protected]

The consumables are e.g.: a fuse, HEPA filters

7.12 Flooding of the Instrument

If the instrument malfunctions and PSM gets flooded with DEG, or the CPC

gets flooded with Butanol, immediately detach the CPC from the PSM,

detach the inlet sampling lines, and switch off the flooded instrument.

Detach the vacuum and compressed air. Contact Airmodus for further

instructions of how to clean the lines inside the instrument.

7.13 Calibration

Exact calibration of the instrument is required for establishing a relation

between the flow mixing ratio (saturator flow rate) and the cut-off

diameter. Airmodus performs calibrations using Nickel Chromium particles

produced with hot wire generator and size selected with a high-resolution

differential mobility analyser (DMA). For each instrument, we verify the

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detection efficiency at the highest saturator flow rate, and measure the

activation curve for several particle sizes. The calibration is strictly valid

only for the same particle type (composition, charge). See the calibration

certificate for details of your instrument.

We recommend returning the instrument to calibration and service once

per year. Depending on the operating conditions and usage, the

instrument may need service more often.

For more information on calibrations, and ordering a calibration service,

contact Airmodus. We also perform calibrations tailored for your specific

needs.

7.14 How to get help / Technical contacts

We recommend returning the instrument for calibration and service once

per year. Depending on the operating conditions and usage, the

instrument may need service more often.

Manufacturer and service address:

Airmodus Oy Erik Palménin aukio 1 FIN-00560 Helsinki, Finland

Please contact us at: [email protected] www.airmodus.com

When your instrument needs maintenance or calibration, contact us at

Airmodus for further instructions (see contact details above).

When the service has been agreed on, send the instruments to us. Dry

the instrument as described in this manual and pack it securely.

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8 Troubleshooting

Problem 1: Status light is red

Solution:

1) If PSM was recently started or flow/temperature settings changed, wait for the temperatures and flows to stabilize.

2) Check the message display in the Diagnostics tab to see which error or warning messages the instruments give.

3) If the problem persists contact Airmodus.

Problem 2: Software does not read the concentration from the

CPC, or the concentration reading is zero.

Solution:

1) Check that the CPC is on, working and has enough working fluid.

2) Make sure the CPC is connected to the computer via serial or USB cable.

3) Make sure the CPC COM port number in the psmconfig file and software window is correct and that the computer recognizes the port.

4) Try disconnecting the USB cable and restarting the software. Sometimes changing the USB port might help.

Problem 3: The concentration doesn’t go close to zero, when a

filter is connected to the sample line.

Solution:

1) A few counts from homogenous nucleation is expected at high saturator flow rates (0.8-1.3lpm), and this background level should decrease, when decreasing the saturator flow rate.

2) Make sure that the DEG bottle is connected. If not, connect it and wait for the instrument to stabilize.

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3) Clean the outlet tube between the PSM and CPC from DEG.

4) Check that all flow rates are reasonable and correct. See problem

5) Contact Airmodus.

Problem 4: The flows do not stabilize or show incorrect readings.

Solution:

1) Make sure pressurized air and external vacuum are connected to the PSM and are sufficient.

2) Make sure external vacuum is connected to the CPC and is sufficient.

3) Measure the flow rate between CPC and PSM and make sure it is correctly entered to the psmconfig file or the A1X software.

4) Measure the inlet flow rate. It should be 2.5 lpm.

Problem 5: The saturator flow rate does not change in the data

display and the measurement software does not receive data from

the PSM

Solution:

1) Make sure you have selected a measurement mode. If the A1X software is closed and reopened, you have to start the desired measurement mode again.

2) Make sure the PSM COM port number is correct in the psmconfig file and software window and that the computer recognizes the port.

3) Try disconnecting the USB cable and restarting the software. Sometimes changing the USB port might help.

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APPENDIX 1 – A11 nCNC Specifications

Measurement range

1 - 1000 nm. 50% cut-off selectable: 1.2 – 3.5 nm*

Concentration

Calibrated: 0 – 100 000 #/cm3 We recommend using in single particle counting mode: Up to 30 000 #/cm3 in single particle counting mode with coincidence <10%; higher concentrations with Total Scattering Mode Correction

Aerosol sample flow

2.5 lpm (sample flow to CPC 1 lpm)

Working fluids

Diethylene Glycol (>99%) n-Butanol (>99.5%)

Sample conditions

Pressure: 90 to 105 kPa Relative humidity: 0-95% non-condensing**

Environmental conditions

Temperature: 15oC to 30oC Pressure: 90 to 105 kPa Relative humidity: 0-95% non-condensing

Communication

Airmodus A10:

Serial: RS-232 USB: type B connector Analog out: BNC connector, 0 to 10 V for

external devices, e.g. controlling of a DMA or ion filter.

Airmodus A20:

Analog in: BNC connector, 0 to 10 V (reading data of external sensor) Analog out: BNC connector, 0 to 10 V, userselectable function output (linear concentration, also DMA voltage control)

Pulse out: BNC connector Serial: RS-232 Ethernet: RJ45 USB: type B connector

All communication based on ASCII characterencoding scheme.

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Nickel Chromium equivalent activation diameter

**)

Above 40% please dry the sample to avoid excess water condensation inside the instruments

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Fittings

Airmodus A10:

External Vacuum: fitting for 1/4 inch tubing External Vacuum: fitting for 1/4 inch tubing Inlet: 1/4 inch stainless steel tube Outlet: 1/4 inch stainless steel tube

Airmodus A20:

External Vacuum: 1/4 inch stainless steel tube Inlet: 1/4 inch stainless steel tube

Software

Airmodus A1X software for online data inversion and data acquisition (for Microsoft Windows)

Power requirements

For both instruments: 100 - 240 VAC max. 320 W universal AC input/full range

External vacuum requirement

100 - 350 mbar pressure at NTP

External compressed air requirement

1.5 - 2.5 bar at NTP The air should be free of particles, oil and water (dew point below 0oC); maximum operating pressure is 3.0 bar at NTP.

Dimensions and weight

Airmodus A10:

290x450x465 (height x width x depth in mm)

17.0 kg

Airmodus A20:

260x230x400 (height x width x depth in mm)

10.5 kg

Shipping conditions

Temperature: 0-40oC Relative humidity: <95% non-condensing The instruments should be shipped in upright position and should be protected against tremor and blows.

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APPENDIX 2 – PSM Firmware commands

Read / system Commands

Commands handled in all states

:SYST:VER

Returns firmware version

:SYST:FCTR

Restore factory settings

:SYST:PRNT

Print out all settings currently in use (User settings)

system running (1/0)

Please refer to SYST:FLSH:DUMP User Settings for the print out order of the rest

of the parameters

:SYST:POUT

Print out system parameters

Please refer to SYST:FLSH:DUMP Settings for the print out order of the

parameters.

Commands handled only in standby mode

:SYST:RUN

Set system in run mode

:SYST:FLSH:DUMP

Print all settings stored in Flash memory

Values are printed out in the following order:

(Settings)

abs press lower limit, abs press upper limit, mix1 press lower limit, mix2 press

upper limit, mix2 press lower limit, mix2 press upper limit

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growth tube default temperature, saturator default temperature, inlet default

temperature, preheater default temperature, drain default temperature

inlet flow setting

(User Settings)

growth tube temperature, saturator temperature, inlet temperature, preheater

temperature, drain temperature, CPC flow setting, Saturator flow operating mode,

Saturator flow setting, Saturator scan delay1, rise time, delay2, fall time, min flow,

max flow, Saturator step n, delay1, delay2, delay3, delay4, delay5, flow1, flow2,

flow3, flow4, flow5, priming time

(Offsets)

abs pressure, mix1 pressure, mix2 pressure,

ambient temperature, growth tube temperature, saturator temperature, inlet

temperature, preheater temperature, drain temperature

(PID)

Growth tube P, I, D

Saturator P, I, D

Cooler P, I, D

Preheater P, I, D

Commands handled only in run mode

:SYST:STDY

Set system in standby mode

Status Commands

:STAT:ERR:LOG

Get error report (CPU problems etc.) from Flash

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:STAT:ERR:CLR

Clear error report (CPU problems etc.) in Flash

Error is printed out in a single hexadecimal number. Bits are as follows

Bit

Error

RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE

ERROR_TX_BUFFER_OVERRUN

ERROR_TASK_NOT_ENDED

ERROR_SCHEDULER_TABLE

ERROR_FLASH_DISABLED

ERROR_SETTING_MUX_FAILED

ERROR_INCORRECT_DAC_CHANNEL

ERROR_INCORRECT_VALVE

ERROR_INCORRECT_SERIAL_PORT

ERROR_FAN_NOT_RUNNING

ERROR_MFC_COMMUNICATION

ERROR_TEMPERATURE_VIOLATION

:STAT:SELF:LOG

Get last self test error report from Flash

Bit

Error

RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE

ERROR_SELFTEST_FLASH_ID

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_GROWTH_TUBE

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_SATURATOR

RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_BOARD

ERROR_SELFTEST_LIQUID_SENSOR

ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_ABS

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ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_MIX1

ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_MIX2

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_PREHEATER

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_3V3

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_5V

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_12V

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_REF_NTC

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_REF_PRES

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_REF_DAC

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_INLET

ERROR_SELFTEST_DRAIN_LIQUID_SENSOR

ERROR_SELFTEST_FAN1

ERROR_SELFTEST_FAN2

ERROR_SELFTEST_FAN3

ERROR_SELFTEST_RTC

ERROR_SELFTEST_DAC1

ERROR_SELFTEST_DAC2

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_DRAIN

ERROR_SELFTEST_MFC_SATURATOR

ERROR_SELFTEST_MFC_EXCESS

:STAT:SYST

Prints out Status and error bits in hexadecimal format

Status is 1 if all OK, 0 otherwise.

Get current system status report (measurement limits etc.)

Bit

Error

CODES_STATUS_GROWTH_TUBE_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_SATURATOR_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_SATURATOR_FLOW

CODES_STATUS_PREHEATER_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_INLET_TEMP

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CODES_STATUS_MIX1_PRESS

CODES_STATUS_MIX2_PRESS

CODES_STATUS_ABS_PRESS

CODES_STATUS_EXCESS_FLOW

CODES_STATUS_DRAIN_LEVEL

CODES_STATUS_AMBIENT_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_DRAIN_TEMP

:STAT:NOTE

Prints out Note and note bits in hexadecimal format

Note is 1 if all OK, 0 otherwise

Bit

Error

CODES_NOTE_LIQUID_LEVEL

CODES_NOTE_WARMING_UP_STATE

CODES_NOTE_STEPPING_CHANGE

CODES_NOTE_VALVE_DRAINING

CODES_NOTE_VALVE_DRYING

Set Commands

:SET:AOUT 5.0

Set analog output voltage

:SET:TEMP:GT 5.0

Set Growth Tube temperature

:SET:TEMP:SAT 70.0

Set Saturator temperature

:SET:TEMP:INL 35.0

Set Cooler temperature

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:SET:TEMP:PRE 40.0

Set Preheater temperature

:SET:TEMP:DRN 5.0

Set Drain temperature

:SET:VALV:FILL

Set normal valve operation. Only allowed in RUN mode.

:SET:VALV:DRN

Set drain valve operation

:SET:VALV:PRIM

Start prime valve operation, stops automatically after prime period has finished.

Only allowed in RUN mode.

:SET:VALV:DRY

Set drying valve operation. Only allowed in RUN mode.

:SET:VALV:PRIM:TIME 90

Set priming time in seconds

:SET:FLOW:CPC 1.0

Set CPC flow in lpm

:SET:FLOW:FXD 1.0

Set Saturator flow in lpm. Start measurements in Fixed mode.

:SET:FLOW:STEP 2,15,30,0.5,1.5

Set STEP parameters: n, d1,...,dn,Q1,...,Qn

n equals the number of delay, Q pairs. Times are set in seconds, maximum delay

time 600. Minimum flow is 0, maximum is Saturator maximum flow.

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Starts measurement automatically. Prints out Saturator average flow, Excess

average flow, Gt temp, Sat temp, Inlet temp, Preheater temp, Drain temp,

Ambient temp, Inlet pressure, Status and Note once a second.

Status is 1 if all OK, 0 otherwise.

Note is 1 if all OK, 0 otherwise.

:SET:FLOW:SCAN 1,100,1,50,0.5,1.5

Set SCAN parameters: d1, rise time, d2, fall time, min flow, max flow

Times are set in seconds. Maximum rise and fall times are 600, maximum delay

time 60. Any of the time parameters may be 0. Minimum flow is 0, maximum is

Saturator maximum flow.

Starts measurement automatically. Print outs as in Stepping mode.

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APPENDIX 3 – Airmodus bCPC Serial

Commands, v1.6.0

1. System commands

Commands handled in all states

:SYST:VER Returns firmware version :SYST:RST Reset system

:SYST:SAVE Save system settings

:SYST:FCTR Restore factory settings

:SYST:PRNT Print out all settings currently in use

system running (1/0) autofill drain, scale, water removal averaging time, condenser temperature, optics temperature, saturator temperature totalizer active flow rate OPC compare voltage (mV) dead time correction

:SYST:POUT Print out system parameters abs press lower limit, abs press upper limit, critical press lower limit, critical press upper limit, inlet-saturator press lower limit, inlet-saturator press upper limit, nozzle press lower limit, nozzle press upper limit, saturator default temperature, condenser default temperature, DC compensation factor A1, DC compensation factor A2, concentration voltage out

Commands handled only in standby mode

:SYST:RUN Set system in run mode

:SYST:FLSH:ACCS Unlock flash

:SYST:FLSH:WIPE Clear entire external flash memory

:SYST:FLSH:DUMP Print all settings stored in Flash memory

Values are printed out in the following order: (Settings)

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autofill, drain, scale, water removal; averaging time, condenser temperature, optics temperature, saturator temperature

(Offsets) abs pressure, critical pressure, nozzle pressure; amb temperature, con temperature, optics temperature, saturator temperature; dac, slope, voltage

(General settings) flow rate(l/min), abs press low limit, abs press upper limit, critical press low limit, critical press upper limit, inlet saturator press low limit, inlet saturator press upper limit, nozzle press low limit, nozzle press upper limit, saturator default temperature, condenser default temperature, DC compensation factor A1, DC compensation factor A2, concentration voltage out, id

(PID) Optics P, Optics I, Optics D Saturator P, Saturator I, Saturator D Condenser P, Condenser I, Condenser D

Commands handled only in run mode

:SYST:STDY Set system in standby mode

2. Status commands

:STAT:ERR:LOG Get error report (CPU problems etc.) from Flash

:STAT:ERR:CLR Clear error report (CPU problems etc.) in Flash

Error is printed out in a single hexadecimal number. Bits are as follows

Bit

Error

RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE

ERROR_TX_BUFFER_OVERRUN

ERROR_TASK_NOT_ENDED

ERROR_SCHEDULER_TABLE

ERROR_FLASH_DISABLED

ERROR_SETTING_MUX_FAILED

ERROR_INCORRECT_DAC_CHANNEL

ERROR_INCORRECT_VALVE

ERROR_INCORRECT_SERIAL_PORT

ERROR_DISPLAY_WRITE_FAILED

ERROR_DISPLAY_CONC_TOO_HIGH

ERROR_FAN_NOT_RUNNING

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:STAT:SELF:LOG Get last selftest error report from Flash

Bit

Error

RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE

ERROR_SELFTEST_FLASH_ID

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_OPTICS

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_SATURATOR

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_CONDENSER

ERROR_SELFTEST_TEMP_BOARD

ERROR_SELFTEST_LIQUID_SENSOR

ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_ABS

ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_NOZZLE

ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_CRITICAL

ERROR_SELFTEST_DISPLAY

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_3V3

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_5V

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_12V

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_REF_NTC

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_REF_PRES

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_REF_DAC

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_OPC_DC

ERROR_SELFTEST_VOLTAGE_LASER

ERROR_SELFTEST_FAN1

ERROR_SELFTEST_FAN2

ERROR_SELFTEST_FAN3

ERROR_SELFTEST_PRESSURE_INLET_SAT

ERROR_SELFTEST_RTC

ERROR_SELFTEST_DAC1

ERROR_SELFTEST_DAC2

ERROR_SELFTEST_ANALOG_OUT

ERROR_SELFTEST_ANALOG_OUT2

:STAT:SYST Get current system status report (measurement limits etc.)

Bit

Error

CODES_STATUS_OPTICS_TEMP

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CODES_STATUS_SATURATOR_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_CONDENSER_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_ABS_PRESS

CODES_STATUS_NOZ_PRESS

CODES_STATUS_LASER_POWER

CODES_STATUS_LIQUID_LEVEL

CODES_STATUS_AMBIENT_TEMP

CODES_STATUS_CRITICAL_PRESS

3. Settings commands

:SET:TEMP:SAT 39.0 Set Saturator temperature

:SET:TEMP:CON 15.0 Set Condenser temperature

:SET:OPC:THRS 250 Set OPC threshold (1...4096). Set value corresponds roughly to millivolts.

:SET:WREM 1 Set water removal off/on

:SET:AFLL 0 Set autofill off/on

:SET:DRN 0 Set drain off/on

:SET:DTC 0 Turn dead time correction off/on

:SET:TAVG 45 Set averaging time for concentration calculation (1...60)

:SET:AOUT 10.0 Set analog output voltage (0.0...10.0)

:SET:FLOW 1.001 Set flow rate for concentration calculations, stores the value automatically into Flash. Set value in l/min.

:SET:CONV 1 Set Analog Out as concentration output off/on. Will be automatically set to off if user command modifies Analog Out voltage.

:SET:SMPS 1,100,1,50,1,1.5,4.5 Set SMPS parameters: d1, rise time, d2, fall time, d3, min voltage, max voltage Times are set in seconds. Maximum rise and fall times are 600, maximum delay time 60. Any of the time parameters may be 0. Minimum voltage is 0V, maximum 10V.

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4. Measurement commands

:MEAS:OPC Read OPC pulse duration (total dead time during averaging time), number of pulses, concentration, averaging time and DC compensation state

:MEAS:LIQ Read liquid level current status value

:MEAS:TOT:STRT Start totalizer

:MEAS:TOT:STOP Stop totalizer

:MEAS:TOT:READ Read totalizer pulses and time since start or last read

:MEAS:TEMP Read Saturator, Optics, Condenser and ambient temperature

:MEAS:PRES Read absolute, Critical orifice, Nozzle and inlet-saturator pressure

:MEAS:LSR Read laser voltage

:MEAS:OPCL Read OPC DC voltage level

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APPENDIX 4 – References

Instrument characterization:

Vanhanen, J., Mikkilä, J., Lehtipalo, K., Sipilä, M., Manninen, H. E., Siivola, E., Petäjä, T., Kulmala, M.: Particle Size Magnifier for Nano-CN Detection, Aerosol Sci. Technol., 45: 4, 533-542, 2011.

Data analysis methods:

Lehtipalo, K., Leppä, J., Kontkanen, J., Kangasluoma, J., Franchin, A., Wimmer, D., Schobesberger, S., Junninen, H., Petäjä, T., Sipilä, M., Mikkilä, J., Vanhanen, J., Worsnop, D. R. & Kulmala, M. 2014: Methods for determining particle size distribution and growth rates between 1 and 3 nm using the Particle Size Magnifier. Boreal Env. Res. 19 (suppl. B).

Peer-reviewed articles reporting measurements with Airmodus PSM:

Stolzenburg, D., Steiner, G., Winkler, P. M. A DMA-train for precision measurement of sub-10 nm aerosol dynamics. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, pp. 1639-1651, doi:10.5194/amt-10-1639-2017, 2017.

Jokinen, T., Kontkanen, J., Lehtipalo, K., Manninen, H. E., Aalto, J., Porcar-Castell, A., Garmash, O., Nieminen, T., Ehn, M., Kangasluoma, J., Junninen, H., Levula, J., Duplissy, J., Ahonen, L. R., Rantala, P., Heikkinen, L., Yan, C., Sipilä, M., Worsnop, D. R., Bäck, J., Petäjä, T., Kerminen, V.-M., Kulmala, M. Solar eclipse demonstrating the importance of photochemistry in new particle formation. Sci. Rep. 7 45707,2017. doi:10.1038/srep45707

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