Advances in measurement of fine particulates

The report “Technologies for Measuring Particulates” published by Tekes, highlights the most recent knowledge of measuring fine particulates.

Demands for lower particulate emissions call not only for technological advances to reduce emissions but also better technology for sampling, measuring and monitoring particulates. This covers both automotive emissions and sources that are unregulated as yet, such as small-scale combustion.

The FINE Particles – Technology, Environment and Health – National Technology Programme has advanced the understanding of aerosol measurement techniques and provided new information on the operation and requirements associated with various instruments and sampling systems.

The FINE Programme has made a valuable contribution to extending the knowledge and technological understanding of measuring fine particulates, and deepening networking between researchers and the experts in industry.

Although many of the projects related to measurement techniques were oriented towards product development, most also included a thorough examination of fundamentals involved. The R&D projects have resulted in new products, some of which are already commercially available and some still in development. These new products include not only instruments, but also new measurement services as well.

Creating new opportunities

Aerosol measurement in industry, to control processes, to monitor product quality, and to prevent particulate contamination, and progress in nanotechnology will increase the need for new aerosol instrumentation. As emission limits and ambient maximum concentration values become stricter, emissions monitoring will become both more important and more demanding. New methods and techniques will be essential to meet new regulations. The FINE Programme resulted in new information that can be utilised for future innovations and legislation.

The four-year FINE programme launched in 2002 by Tekes, the Finnish Agency for Technology and Innovation, was completed in the spring of 2006. The Programme involved over 50 individual projects and close to 60 companies and over 20 research institutions. Work of 11 FINE projects focused on aerosol measurement.