Invention Reference Number
An aerosol sampling technique has been developed to collect actinide materials in the atmosphere. The overall system architecture is based on the principle of multi-jet virtual impaction. This unique device separates a large quantity of aerosol particles into selected size bins in a relatively short period of time.
Description
Atmospheric sampling of trace elements embedded in specific aerosol populations remains a significant technical challenge. Existing commercial aerosol samplers are limited in their ability to simultaneously operate at a high flow rate and selectively collect airborne particles of specific sizes or magnetic properties. No current system enables efficient collection of aerosol particles, such as those containing actinides, at flow rates exceeding 1,000 liters per minute. A novel system configuration has been developed to address this limitation, allowing for size-specific separation of airborne particles that contain para-magnetic and or ferromagnetic components under high-throughput conditions. The system integrates specialized mechanisms for precise particle fractionation and enhanced magnetic trapping, enabling selective sampling in previously inaccessible conditions.
Benefits
- Selective collection: Enables accurate capture of precious aerosol particles for efficient extraction of trace metals based on aerodynamic size.
- Rapid processing: Facilitates the quick collection of large volume of aerosol particles, significantly reducing processing time.
- Enhanced signal: Improves signal detection embedded in aerosol particles for a variety of applications.
- Versatile applications: Applicable in critical areas such as nuclear security, air pollution monitoring, industrial emissions tracking, and detection of bioaerosols (e.g., COVID virus and bioweapons).
- Generic technique: Provides a flexible method for the open collection of airborne materials across different environments and use cases.
Applications & Industries
- Nuclear security
- Atmospheric aerosol
- Industrial safety
- Atmospheric research
Contact:
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
