What are aerosols, and why do they affect technical equipment?
Aerosols are microscopic particles or droplets in the air that can affect the climate, the environment, air quality and measuring equipment. For businesses working with sensors, meteorology, monitoring or technical installations, it is important to understand how aerosols form and how they can affect equipment functionality.
Small particles with a big impact
Aerosols are not necessarily visible to the naked eye, but they can have a significant impact on health, the environment and technical equipment. They consist of small solid or liquid particles in a gaseous substance such as air and can range in size from a few nanometres to over 10 micrometres.
The particles can originate from natural sources such as sea spray, pollen, volcanic ash and dust, but they can also be human-made. Anthropogenic aerosols from industry, transport, agriculture and combustion are a particular concern because they affect air quality, the climate and public health.
Aerosols are relevant to technical solutions because they can interfere with measurements, contaminate sensor surfaces and affect equipment that needs to deliver accurate data on weather, the climate and the environment.
How aerosols form
Aerosols form through several different processes. Some occur when wind or sea spray lifts particles into the air. Others form through combustion, chemical reactions or when volatile liquids evaporate and condense again in the atmosphere.
Primary aerosols are emitted directly from a source. Examples include dust from construction sites, soot from combustion or sea salt from sea spray. Secondary aerosols, on the other hand, form through chemical reactions in the atmosphere, for example when sulphur dioxide reacts with water vapour to form sulphate aerosols.
Aerosols can also be classified by their origin. Natural aerosols come from sources such as vegetation, volcanoes and sea surfaces, while anthropogenic aerosols originate from human activities such as industry, transport, agriculture and energy production.
Assess the impact of aerosols on equipment and measurements
When choosing professional technical equipment, the impact of aerosols should be considered from the outset. This is particularly relevant to sensor-based applications and equipment for meteorological tasks, where precision, optical measurements and clean sensor surfaces are crucial.
- Optical interference: Aerosols can scatter or absorb light and affect instruments such as radiometers and LIDAR. This can result in less accurate measurements of cloud formation, radiation and optical properties.
- Reduced visibility: Dust, smoke and fog can reduce visibility for weather satellites and cameras that depend on a clear line of sight.
- Cloud formation and precipitation: Aerosols can attract water vapour and form more small droplets, which can affect cloud cover, cloud types and precipitation measurements.
- Temperature and humidity: Aerosols can absorb or reflect sunlight, thereby affecting local temperature conditions and humidity measurements.
- Contamination of sensor surfaces: Particles from dust storms, volcanic ash and human-made emissions can settle on sensors and cameras, affecting performance and accuracy.
- Operating environment: Equipment should be selected based on the specific aerosol load, location, cleaning needs and measurement accuracy requirements.
Aerosols call for better monitoring and technical choices
Aerosols play a complex role in the environment. Some types, such as sulphates, can reflect sunlight and have a cooling effect, while black carbon can absorb heat and contribute to warming. Aerosols can also affect cloud formation and precipitation patterns, making them important in climate and environmental monitoring.
The smallest particles, including PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and are associated with serious health risks. Reducing harmful emissions, improving filtration and purification technologies, and international cooperation are therefore important elements in managing aerosol pollution.
For businesses using technical measuring equipment, it is also about choosing solutions that can operate reliably in environments where aerosols can affect measurements and components. Hans Buch provides advice on technical solutions and equipment where the operating environment, the impact on sensors and precision need to be assessed together.
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Brian Beck Faymonville
Sales Engineer
Teit From Løvstrøm
Product Manager