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Nephelometer
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{{short description|Instrument for measuring the concentration of suspended particulates}} [[File:Nephelometer.jpg|thumb|210px|right|A nephelometer at the Kosan, [[Cheju Island]], South Korea NOAA facility]] A '''nephelometer'''<ref>"Nephelometer" comes from the Greek word for "cloud", ''nephos'', cf. "[[nepheloid layer]]".</ref> or '''aerosol photometer'''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Baron|first=Paul A.|date=1998-01-15|title=Aerosol photometers for respirable dust measurements|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-154/pdfs/chapter-g.pdf|access-date=2021-04-06|website=NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods}}</ref> is an instrument for measuring the concentration of [[suspension (chemistry)|suspended particulates]] in a [[liquid]] or [[gas]] [[colloid]]. A nephelometer measures suspended particulates by employing a light beam (source beam) and a [[detector|light detector]] set to one side (often 90°) of the source beam. Particle [[Number density|density]] is then a function of the light [[Reflection (physics)|reflected]] into the detector from the particles. To some extent, how much light reflects for a given density of particles is dependent upon properties of the particles such as their shape, [[color]], and [[reflectivity]]. Nephelometers are calibrated to a known particulate, then use environmental factors (k-factors) <!-- none of the articles at [[K-factor]] appear relevant --> to compensate lighter or darker colored dusts accordingly. K-factor is determined by the user by running the nephelometer next to an air sampling pump and comparing results.{{clarify|what results and how are they compared?|date=October 2021}} There are a wide variety of research-grade nephelometers on the market as well as [[open source]] varieties.<ref>Bas Wijnen, G. C. Anzalone and Joshua M. Pearce, Open-source mobile water quality testing platform. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 4(3) pp. 532–537 (2014). doi:10.2166/washdev.2014.137 [https://www.academia.edu/8319858/Open-source_mobile_water_quality_testing_platform open access]</ref> ==Nephelometer uses== {{refimprove section|date=January 2022}} {{external media | width = 210px | float = right | headerimage= [[File:Wilma Theatre 2013 Particle Falls 004.JPG|210px]] | video1 = [https://www.sciencehistory.org/particle-falls Andrea Polli, ''Particle Falls'', an art installation using a nephelometer to visualize particulate matter] (2013).}} [[File:Airborne-particulate-size-chart.svg|thumb|Particulate contaminants (size in micrometers).]] The main uses of nephelometers relate to air quality measurement for pollution monitoring, climate monitoring, and visibility. Airborne particles are commonly either biological contaminants, particulate contaminants, gaseous contaminants, or dust.{{fact|date=January 2022}} The accompanying chart shows the types and sizes of various particulate contaminants. This information helps understand the character of particulate pollution inside a building or in the ambient air, as well as the cleanliness level in a controlled environment.{{fact|date=January 2022}} Biological contaminants include mold, fungus, bacteria, viruses, animal dander, dust mites, pollen, human skin cells, cockroach parts, or anything alive or living at one time. They are the biggest enemy of [[indoor air quality]] specialists because they are contaminants that cause health problems. Levels of biological contamination depend on humidity and temperature that supports the livelihood of micro-organisms. The presence of pets, plants, rodents, and insects will raise the level of biological contamination.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2014-08-14 |title=Biological Pollutants' Impact on Indoor Air Quality |url=https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/biological-pollutants-impact-indoor-air-quality |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> === Sheath air === Sheath air is clean filtered air that surrounds the aerosol stream to prevent particulates from circulating or depositing within the optic chamber. Sheath air prevents contamination caused by build-up and deposits, improves response time by containing the sample, and improves maintenance by keeping the optic chamber clean. The nephelometer creates the sheath air by passing air through a zero filter before beginning the sample.{{fact|date=January 2022}} === Global radiation balance === {{stack|[[File:Radiation Balance.jpg|thumb|Radiation balance (thickness of Earth's atmosphere is greatly exaggerated).]]}} Nephelometers are also used in global warming studies, specifically measuring the global radiation balance. Three wavelength nephelometers fitted with a backscatter shutter can determine the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space by dust and particulate matter. This reflected light influences the amount of radiation reaching the earth's lower atmosphere and warming the planet.{{fact|date=January 2022}} === Visibility === Nephelometers are also used for measurement of visibility with simple one-wavelength nephelometers used throughout the world by many EPAs. Nephelometers, through the measurement of light scattering, can determine visibility in distance through the application of a conversion factor called <!-- E. L. or Lothar E. -->[[Koschmieder's formula]].{{fact|date=January 2022}} ===Medicine=== {{main|Nephelometry (medicine)}} In medicine, nephelometry is used to measure immune function. It is also used in clinical microbiology, for preparation of a standardized inoculum (McFarland suspension) for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sensititre™ Nephelometer |url=https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/V3011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Guinet |first1=Roland M. F. |last2=Mazoyer |first2=Marie-Andrée |date=1983 |title=Laser nephelometric semi-automated system for rapid bacterial susceptibility testing |url=https://academic.oup.com/jac/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/jac/12.3.257 |journal=Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy |language=en |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=257–263 |doi=10.1093/jac/12.3.257 |pmid=6630109 |issn=0305-7453|url-access=subscription }}</ref> ===Fire detection=== {{main|Aspirating smoke detector}} Gas-phase nephelometers are also used in the detection of [[smoke]] and other particles of [[combustion]]. In such use, the apparatus is referred to as an [[aspirated smoke detector]]. These have the capability to detect extremely low particle concentrations (to 0.005%) and are therefore highly suitable to protecting sensitive or valuable electronic equipment, such as [[mainframe computer]]s and [[telephone switch]]es.{{fact|date=January 2022}} ==Turbidity units== [[File:Nephelometer acadia.jpg|right|thumb|A nephelometer installation at [[Acadia National Park]]]] [[File:Turbidimeters.JPG|thumb|Turbidimeters used at a water purification plant to measure turbidity (in NTU) of raw water and clear water after filtration]] *Because optical properties depend on suspended particle size, a stable synthetic material called "[[Formazin]]" with uniform particle size is often used as a standard for calibration and reproducibility.<ref>Formazin was first used for standardizing turbidity measurements in 1926.</ref> The unit is called Formazin Turbidity Unit (FTU). *Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) specified by [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] is a special case of FTU, where a white light source and certain geometrical properties of the measurement apparatus are specified. (Sometimes the alternate form "nephelos turbidity units" is used<ref>[http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5034211.html ''Reducing turbidity in chromic acid solutions''], Zeller, III, Robert L.; Morgan, Russell J.; Rabbe, Gilbert D.; Fiscus, Donna R.; Wilkes, Jr., Richard L.; United States Patent 5034211, Filing date 1990-10-29, Publication date 1991-07-23</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070926195339/http://www.floridaconservation.org/codebook/2006/Deptartment_of_Agriculture_and_Consumer_Services.pdf ''Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 2006 Codebook Chapter 5L-1: The Comprehensive Shellfish Control code''] </ref>) *Formazin Nephelometric Units (FNU), prescribed for 9 measurements of turbidity in water treatment by [[ISO 7027]], another special case of FTU with near infrared light (NIR) and 90° scatter. *Formazin Attenuation Units (FAU) specified by [[ISO 7027]] for water treatment standards for turbidity measurements at 0°, also a special case of FTU. *Formazin Backscatter Units (FBU), not part of a standard, is the unit of [[optical backscatter detector]]s (OBS), measured at c. 180°, also a special case of FTU. *European Brewery Convention (EBC) turbidity units *Concentration Units (C.U.) *Optical Density (O.D.) *Jackson "Candle" Turbidity Units (JTU; an early measure) *Helms Units *American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC-FTU) turbidity units *Brantner Haze Scale (BHS) and Brantner Haze Units (BHU) for purposefully hazy beer *Parts Per Million of standard substance, such as PPM/DE (Kieselguhr) *"Trübungseinheit/Formazin" (TE/F) a German standard, now replaced by the FNU unit. *diatomaceous earth ("ppm SiO<sub>2</sub>") an older standard, now obsolete A more popular term for this instrument in water quality testing is a '''turbidimeter'''. However, there can be differences between models of turbidimeters, depending upon the arrangement ([[geometry]]) of the source beam and the detector. A nephelometric turbidimeter always monitors light reflected off the particles and not [[attenuation]] due to cloudiness. In the [[United States]] [[environmental monitoring]] the [[turbidity]] standard unit is called [[Nephelometric turbidity units|Nephelometric Turbidity Units]] (NTU), while the international standard unit is called Formazin Nephelometric Unit (FNU). The most generally applicable unit is Formazin Turbidity Unit (FTU), although different measurement methods can give quite different values as reported in FTU (see below). Gas-phase nephelometers are also used to study the [[atmosphere]]. These can provide information on [[visibility]] and atmospheric [[albedo]]. ==See also== * [[ISO 7027]] * [[Water purification]] ==References== {{reflist|30em}} {{Meteorological equipment}} [[Category:Measuring instruments]] [[Category:Meteorological instrumentation and equipment]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Aerosol measurement]] [[Category:Colloids]] [[Category:Colloidal chemistry]]
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