• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1339-1348
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• 2012

The versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES) have proven useful for providing elevated levels of atmospheric aerosol to human and animal exposures. In this study, we describe a VACES and tests conducted to both optimize the enhancement factor (EF) and characterize how it depends on experiment conditions. Particle number concentrations were measured from upstream and downstream of the system by scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) with a long differential mobility analyzer (DMA) in combination with a condensation particle counter (CPC). SMPS was used for to determine VACES particle EF. Particle EF tends to increase for higher the saturator temperature ($T_{Sat}$) and lower the condenser temperature ($T_{Con}$). $T_{Con}$ higher than $0^{\circ}C$ and $T_{Sat}$ lower than $50^{\circ}C$ was the best to obtain the most increase in particle concentration. Correlation analysis of EF with factor variables of $T_{Sat}$ and $T_{Con}$ resulted in correlation 0.662 and 0.416, respectively. With all five predictor variables included in a multiple regression model, the EF had a liner correlation with $R^2=0.643$.