A comparative study on the size distribution and carbon components of particulate matters from typical sources

Abstract

A comparative study on the size distribution and carbon component of particulate matter (PM) from four typical sources in Zhenjiang, China were carried out. Two raw PM cases were collected directly from the diesel/gasoline engine, individually, while another two diluted PM cases were gleaned from the atmosphere on particular venues concerning the contribution of diesel/gasoline PMs, respectively. It was revealed that the raw diesel/gasoline PMs presented mass concentration peaks at the size range of 0.18-0.32 μm, while most of the diluted PM from the atmosphere near the chimney vent of the engine laboratory and in the basement garage concentrated at the size range of 0.32-0.56 and 1.0-1.8 μm, respectively. Via the carbon component analysis, for the raw diesel PM, the major parts of OC fractions were determined as OC1, OC2 and OC3, meanwhile EC2 took the majority of EC. As for the diluted PM from the atmosphere, OC2, OC3 and OC4, and EC1 and EC2 accounted for the main parts of OC and EC, respectively. The rate of OC to EC (OC/EC) of the PMs from the diesel engine, near the laboratory chimney vent and in the basement garage varied in a range of 0.92-2.50, 1.40-2.53, and 2.36-4.82, respectively. It is worth noting that the OC/EC of the PM collected in the basement garage exceeded 2.0, which implies that a great deal of secondary particulates were generated. Overall, this article may assist to understand the possible evolution path of PM from the raw source to the diluted status.

Review of morphological and chemical characteristics of particulates from compression ignition engines

“…Total carbon in the PM is measured using a TOC analyzer. 252 The volatile fraction is divided into high (mass loss up to 200°C) and low (mass loss, 200 < T ≤ 450°C) volatile fractions. The mass loss from 450°C to 650°C is referred as EC.…”