Model AE33 Aethalometer
AE33 Aethalometer
PRODUCT INFO
In the new Model AE33 Aethalometer, two sample spots are collected from the same input air stream with different rates of accumulation, and analyzed simultaneously. The two results are combined mathematically to eliminate the “Filter Loading Effect” nonlinearity, and provide an accurate measurement of the aerosol concentration.
Additionally, the analysis is made at 7 optical wavelengths spanning the spectrum from 370 nm to 950 nm. Increases of optical absorption at shorter wavelengths may be interpreted in terms of the presence of so-called “Brown” carbonaceous material, usually an indicator of emissions from biomass combustion.
The Model AE33 Aethalometer has been developed with input from the research and monitoring communities, and is designed for reliable operation under all conditions ranging from state‐of‐the‐art research to routine air-quality monitoring.
The DualSpot™ measurement method
7-WAVELENGHT OPERATION: UV-IR, 1Hz DATA
REAL-TIME SOURCE APPORTIONMENT
CALIBRATION AND IN-FIELD VALIDATION
USER AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACES
RUGGED, RELIABLE, AUTOMATIC
SPECIFICATIONS
Operation
- Supply voltage: 100-240 V~, 50/60 Hz
- Max power consumption: 90 W. Typical power consumption: 25 W
- Measurement wavelengths: 370, 470, 520, 590, 660, 880 and 950 nm
- Air flow: set-points of 2, 3, 4 and 5 LPM
Environmental operating conditions
- Indoor or sheltered use only: the Aethalometer is not weatherproof.
- Altitude: up to 3000 m with internal pump. Increased flow at very high altitudes possible with external pump on request.
- Temperature range: 0 – 40 degrees Celsius (instrument)
- Relative humidity range: non-condensing. Note that it is essential to prevent condensation of humid outdoor sample air, if the instrument is located in a chilled (air-conditioned) environment.
Mechanical specification
- Chassis material: sheet metal
- Dimensions: standard 19”/6U, rack mount
- Weight: approx. 20 kg
Connectors
- Sampling air: inlet / outlet type – ¼” NTPF
- Communication: 3x USB type A, 3x COM, 1x Ethernet
User interface
- 8.4” SVGA display with LED backlight
- Basic control: touch-screen
- Optional control: standard PC keyboard and mouse via front-panel USB ports.
- Red, Yellow, Green status LEDs
DOCUMENTS
PUBLICATIONS
Title | Year | Link |
---|---|---|
The “dual-spot” Aethalometer: an improved measurement of aerosol black carbon with real-time loading compensation | 2014 | Download |
Determination of car on-road black carbon and particle number emission factors and comparison between mobile and stationary measurements | 2015 | |
The filter loading effect by ambient aerosols in filter absorption photometers depends on the mixing state of the sampled particles | 2016 | Link |
Evaluation of the absorption Ångström exponents for traffic and wood burning in the Aethalometer based source apportionment using radiocarbon measurements of ambient aerosol | 2016 | Link |
VIDEO
ACCESSORIES

SAMPLE STREAM DRYER
In hot, humid locations, the water vapor content of the ambient sample air may be very large. This can lead to inaccuracies in the BC measurement – but, more seriously, there is the possibility of water condensation inside the instrument which can lead to permanent damage. This issue is solved by the use of our Sample Stream Dryer.
The interaction of water with aerosol species changes their physical properties. Consequently, the World Meteorological Organization has recommended that all aerosol measurements should be performed under conditions where the Relative Humidity is 40% or lower (WMO/GAW 2003; Wiedensohler, 2014).
Many stations in hot, humid locations have air-conditioned interiors. If the indoor air-conditioning temperature Ta is comparable to or lower than the dewpoint (condensation temperature) Td of the outside ambient air, water will condense in the tubing and inside the instrument. This will not only completely in-validate the data, but it can also cause permanent damage to the instrument.
The Magee Scientific Sample Stream Dryer removes water vapor from the inlet flow by means of a semi-permeable Nafion membrane. This membrane selectively absorbs molecules of water vapor from the air-stream and passes them to a space on the other side of the membrane, maintained at a low absolute pressure by means of a vacuum pump.
The Magee Scientific Sample Stream Dryer can reduce the dew point temperature by up to 14 degrees Celsius at a flow rate of 5 LPM. The equipment is self-contained, automatic, and includes a display screen which shows the input and output hygrometric properties. A data cable can connect to the Model AE33 Aethalometer so that the temperature and humidity data are incorporated into the Aethalometer’s data files.
The Magee Scientific Sample Stream Dryer can be used to remove water vapor from the inlet stream to any aerosol instrument, not just an Aethalometer.

NEUTRAL DENSITY OPTICAL VALIDATION KIT
The optical performance of the Model AE33 Aethalometer may be validated in the field by the ‘Neutral Density Optical Filter Kit’, consisting of four precision optical elements containing precision glass whose absorbance is traceable to primary photometric standards maintained by national organizations such as NIST (USA), NPL (UK), BIPM (EU), etc. Software routines measure the optical intensities at all wavelengths and compare the analysis during the test, with the original reference values. This validates the reproducibility of the Aethalometer’s fundamental measurement of optical Attenuation.

AMBIENT METEOROLOGICAL SENSOR

FILTER TAPE

SIZE-SELECTIVE INLETS
PM2.5 Inlet
BGI model SCC-1.828. Provides a cut point of 2.5µm at a sample flow rate of 5 LPM.
PM1/2.5 Inlet
BGI model SCC-1.197. Provides a cut point of 2.5µm at a sample flow rate of 2 LPM, or 1µm at a sample flow rate of 5 LPM.
PM1 Inlet
BGI model SCC-0.732. Provides a cut point of 1µm at a sample flow rate of 2 LPM.
BGI ‘Mini-PM’ Inlet Kit
The BGI ‘Mini-PM’ Inlet Kit offers impaction jet inserts to provide size selective capabilities of TSP, PM-4, PM-2.5, and PM-1, when operated at a flow rate of 5 LPM.

TRANSIT CASE
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AETHALOMETER
WHAT IS BLACK CARBON? WHY SHOULD WE MEASURE IT?
HOW DOES THE AETHALOMETER WORK?
HOW DOES THE AETHALOMETER MEASURE ONLY BC, WHILE THE AMBIENT AIR IS A MIXTURE OF MANY POLLUTANTS SUCH AS GHGS, SULFATES, NITRATES, CO2, ETC.?
WHY DON’T WE NEED TO CALIBRATE THE LIGHT SOURCE INTENSITY?
DOES THE LIGHT SOURCE INTENSITY EVER FAIL?
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