The performance of piezoelectric crystal sensors used to determine aerosol mass concentrations

Aerosol mass concentration determination using piezoelectric crystal sensors was investigated. Five areas of influence were studied: temperature, humidity, particle collection characteristics, response linearity, and mass sensitivity. A theoretical review is included. Neither air stream temperature nor humidity fluctuations were compensated by the use of a reference crystal. The temperature induced error was satisfactorily reduced by minimizing the inlet temperature change rate. The humidity induced error resulted principally from moisture absorption and desorption by the aerosol deposit. The observed linear response limits ranged from 0.2 to 6 mug/mm2 for various aerosols and instrument designs. No relationship between the linearity limit and the point of complete saturation was apparent. The mass sensitivity was a function of the deposit size and location. Energy trapping theory helped to predict the mass sensitivity distribution. The mass sensing ability decreased for particle sizes beginning at approximately 2 mum diameter, reaching essentially zero at 20 mum. The use of viscous crystal coatings appeared to improve the sensing ability in the 2 to 20 mum size range.