TSI 3082 Electrostatic Classifier

Description of TSI 3082

Since 1976, TSI® Electrostatic Classifiers have been helping scientists generate and size submicrometer particles. These instruments have been used in a broad variety of research and have earned a well-deserved reputation for being highly reliable and extremely versatile. Our latest Electrostatic Classifier – the model 3082 – continues that tradition, but with expanded capabilities and an easy-to-use interface. The current design offers tool-free installation and auto detection of configurable components. The controller platform includes a touch-screen display and graphical user interface control that enables size distribution measurements with data logging, greatly expanding your research possibilities!

TSI’s Electrostatic Classifiers select highly monodisperse, submicrometer aerosols in the range from 1 to 1,000 nanometers in diameter. The Electrostatic Classifier is most often used as an integral part of a monodisperse aerosol generation system or in a submicrometer-particle sizing system.

Applications

The 3082 is a ‘primary standard’ instrument for aerosol measurement. This means that its performance is based on basic physical principles, and that results are highly repeatable.

The Classifier 3082 can be used for both aerosol generation and for aerosol size distribution measurement. The United States’ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses a TSI® Long DMA for sizing 0.1-micrometer standard reference materials (Kinney et al, 1991).

Further detail on these two uses is provided on the next page. Because of these two capabilities, our Electrostatic Classifiers are suitable for a variety of applications:

When used as an aerosol generator to produce highly monodisperse particles:

• Aerosol research, including the study of particle transport, diffusion, coagulation, nucleation, and condensation
• Particle-charge and electrical-mobility studies
• Filter media tests for filter efficiency
• Calibration of particle instruments such as optical particle counters –enhancing the monodispersity of polystyrene latex (PSL) or other aerosols by removing residue particles and multiplets

When used in a TSI® SMPS™ spectrometer for high-resolution sizing of submicrometer particles:

• Aerosol research, including the study of nucleation and condensation
• Atmospheric monitoring and climate studies
• Nanotechnology research and materials synthesis
• Combustion and engine exhaust studies
• Characterization of aerosols generated from flames, powders, sprays, or other sources

When monodisperse generation is used in tandem with size distribution measurement:

Measuring small and large changes in particle size due to coagulation, evaporation, condensation, humidification, and chemical reactions.

When used with a TSI® Aerosol Electrometer 3068B:

Primary size and concentration calibration of Condensation Particle Counters (ISO 27891) and other aerosol instruments.

Technical specifications of TSI 3082

for Electrostatic Classifier 3082 when combined with a selected DMA

*The input particle number concentration limit is imposed by the neutralizer that precedes the DMA.