Mobile Fine Dust Measuring for Solid Fuel Burning Exhaust

Fine dust particles < PM 2.5 from solid fuel burners such as chimney stoves, logwood, pellets, wood chips, bio mass, coal etc. are dangerous to health as humans do not have any immune system to very small particles resulting in cardiac -/respiration problems as well as damage of brain functions.

Therefore in Germany a regulation (BImSchV) for measuring of fine dust in exhaust has become effective since the beginning of 2013. Until recently far fine dust measuring was based on the gravity method which has its limits when very small values (<<100 mg/m3) have to be measured mobile. Together with the well-known Fraunhofer Institut and the Technical University in Clausthal VERETA (Germany) have developed the first optical mobile fine dust measuring system which has been approved by the German Federal Environment Ageny (FEA). Also the Graz University of Technology (Austria) has in connection with the European PMinter-Project stated the VERETA measuring system to be suitable.

Key features of the VERETA Fine Dust measuring system for exhausts in chimneys are: Contactless measuring principle based on the combination of stray light and aerosol electrometer sensors, immediate (every second) fine dust value display for 0 – 375 mg/m3, fractional determination of mass in % for particles < 500/<1000/>1000 nm, continuous measuring of up to 12 hours, measuring probe withstands exhaust temperature of up to 700 °C, measuring start within 3 minutes after switch-on, no condensate collector due to patented probe, no permanent service/filter exchange or cleaning before and after measuring, service intervals (depending on fine dust load) only every 50 measurements (at 15 minutes measuring durations). Other features: system includes software for use with PC/Laptop enabling exporting of measured data for further analysis. Interface: RS232/USB Adapter. Supply: 85 – 240 VAC or 24 VDC, probe length 300mm + 3000 pipe, weight: 14 kg, case dimensions: 530x260x390mm.