[Stoves] air particles

[Tami Bond]

Hi Frank,
Just some questions about your proposed rig...

We have to keep in mind that combustion particles are (a) very small 
(80-250 nm), and (b) largely hydrophobic (they don't like water). So a 
lot of wet-chem techniques aren't so useful for air particles. (I'm 
trying to work with some 'water-side' people at my department and it is 
pretty clear that we speak totally different languages!)

(1) I'm not sure that the particles will get taken up in the water. In 
order to get out of the bubbles they have to pass through the gas-water 
interface and that is enhanced by solubility.
(2) If you're going to try to get the particles on a filter, why not 
just draw air through the filter in the first place-- less pressure drop
(3) I *think* that the particles won't centrifuge well although I can 
ask about that... drag-force to inertial force is SO HIGH for these 
particles because of their large surface-to-volume ratio
(4) But now, you need a nephelometer, a centrifuge, access to a 
microscope and a COD test kit-- so what is the advantage over standard 
air testing equipment which probably involves a similar level of investment?

Sorry, don't mean to be critical-- I *do* want things to be simple too!

cheers,
Tami