Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N007832/1
A novel capability for the characterisation of semi-volatile atmospheric particles
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor GB McFiggans, The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Grant held at:
- The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Tropospheric Processes
- Aerosols
- Biogenic vol organic compounds
- Microphysics
- Trace gases
- Analytical Science
- Mass Spectrometry
- Abstract:
- Organic material comprises a substantial fraction of sub-micron atmospheric particulate matter (PM). Particles of this size are the most important in determining the influence of aerosol on climate and are the most harmful to human health owing to their prevalence, atmospheric persistence, inhalability and toxicity. Much of the organic material is produced by gas phase oxidation and is incorporated into PM by gas-to-particle conversion, forming secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Many SOA components are semi-volatile, present in both gas and condensed phases depending on conditions (e.g. temperature). This makes them difficult to measure, with both conventional offline techniques and more recent online measurements both affected by condensation or evaporation of material. At the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS) in SEAES at the University of Manchester, we are world-leading in the measurement, interpretation and modelling of atmospheric PM, particularly the organic fraction. Electronic, or e-, cigarettes deliberately provide streams of semi-volatile material under controlled repeatable conditions. The working fluid (or "e-liquid") normally comprises nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol or glycerol with added flavouring. This is heated by a coil and mixed with air to produce a stream of organic components as both vapour and particulates, delivering a mist of fine droplets to the e-cigarette user. The industry is fast growing, with around 2.1M UK users. Regulation is currently uncertain, but the industry will be controlled under the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) from 2016 within which it must develop testing and compliance procedures for the product emissions. The testing of e-cigarettes faces unique challenges, owing to the identical difficulties facing the measurement of atmospheric impacts of semi-volatile particles. In this project, e-cigarette technology will be employed to develop a novel and unique calibration and testing methodology to be employed across a suite of instrumental techniques for the quantification of semi-volatile organic components in the atmosphere. There is no current means for reliable evaluation of such measurements. In addition to evaluation of relatively conventional online particle sizing and counting, the methodology can be employed to study the effects of semi-volatile partitioning on properties such as water uptake. A key focus will be online determination of particle composition using aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) and in particular the simultaneous vapour and particle phase composition using a new FIGAERO-CIMS (chemical ionisation mass spectrometer) instrument. Varying the composition of the working fluid in, and the operating conditions of, the e-cigarette unit, it will be possible to work with material representative of atmospheric component functionality. A range of numerical computer models are available to interpret system behaviour and instrument performance. Wide expertise in all elements of the project is available throughout CAS and the CASE partner, Liberty Flights Ltd. Liberty Flights are the largest independent (non-tobacco related) UK manufacturer and supplier of e-cigarette products and the CASE supervisor Dr Monica Vialpando, is actively involved with definition of industry best practice and engagement with regulation under the TPD. The project has 3 scientific / technological aims: i) to provide valuable instrument calibration capability, ii) to exploit the ability for the calibrated instruments to enable important atmospheric process insight and iii) deliver important insight to the CASE partners about capabilities and limitations of atmospheric instrumentation in quantification of e-cigarette emissions. Most importantly, it will provide excellent opportunities for student training in a range of state-of-the-science atmospheric instrumentation and analytical techniques along with exploitation of the techniques in an industrial environment.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/N007832/1
- Grant Stage:
- Awaiting Start Lapsed Decision
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £86,776
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £16,957 | £11,000 | £58,822 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.