WIDE-RANGE AEROSOL CLASSIFIER - A SIZE SELECTIVE SAMPLER FOR LARGE PARTICLES

The Wide Range Aerosol Classifier (WRAC), a sampler employing parallel impactors coupled with a large high flow rate inlet, has been designed, built, and tested for use in determining the size distribution of large particles found in ambient air. Results of laboratory and field evaluations demonstrate that the WRAC can be used successfully to determine atmospheric aerosol 'total mass' and its large particle ( greater than 10 mu m aerodynamic diameter) distribution. The sampler is mobile for operation at various field locations. Successful field measurements have shown ambient aerosol distribution to display a large particle mode containing significant mass under a variety of conditions throughout the United States.